HERITAGE MP: ARMENIA’S VULNERABILITY TO NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES OF THE GROWING PRICES FOR GAS IS EXPLAINED BY ONE-WAYNESS OF ITS SUPPLIES
ArmInfo
2009-11-19 11:19:00
ArmInfo. Armenia’s vulnerability to the negative consequences of the
growing prices for gas is explained by the fact that the country could
not diversify its supplies in due time, parliamentarian from Heritage
oppositional party Armen Martirosyan told ArmInfo when commenting on
the expected growth of gas prices started April 1, 2010.
To recall, the gas price should increase from $154 to $184 per 1
thsd cub m started April 1, instead of the earlier supposed $200
per 1 thsd cub m. ‘Diversification of supplies was hindered by the
country’s economic policy, being continuation of the state policy. We
have lost the time during which we could create a profitable position
for us’, Martirosyan said. Growth of the gas price to $184 instead of
$200 may have a positive effect, however, even in a "cutdown" form,
it will entail new growth of prices for all the consumer goods,
the pricing of which is connected with gas. ‘It is also important
to remember of the population solvency, as the state budget for 2010
does not envisage growth of wages. Moreover, the prices continuously
grow despite the crisis’, A. Martirosyan said.
According to him, the state agencies will not take measures to
restrain the prices. ‘The market regulatory commissions, being
formally independent, actually function under the government and
cannot follow a policy other than that indicated by the executive
power, while this policy, as known, aims at turning the economy into
a monopoly and oligarchic one’, the parliamentarian said.