SERZH SARGSYAN: COMING YEAR A YEAR OF HARD WORK

news.am
Dec 22 2009
Armenia

The past year has been a hard one with numerous problems for the
Armenian economy, RA President Serzh Sargsyan stated at his meeting
with Armenian businessmen.

According to him, each businessman had to deal with the crisis-caused
unfavorable conditions, consider the human factor and realize their
social responsibility to employees and their families. "I know the
decision you made did not meet the classical rules of business.

Decisions were often made in the interests of your employees, not
for business development, the aim being to avoid staff reduction to
the highest extent possible," the Armenian leader said.

President Sargsyan pointed out that cooperation with the Government
prevented the worst, namely, social shocks. "Looking back on the past
year and dwelling on the behavior of each of the businessmen present
here, one can state with confidence that a business class is being
formed in Armenia aimed at creating a weighty business style rather
than at getting instantaneous gains. This class is the fundament
of every economy. Some might think that challenges like these would
reduce business activity. Yes, we registered an economic decline, but
not a decline in our search of new ways," Serzh Sargsyan said. The
Armenian President said that the latest macroeconomic indices allow
of forecasts of economic prospects.

The Armenian President stressed that Armenian businessmen have always
been "keen-witted," and the economic crisis proved to be a test for
their "keen wit." The Armenian Government repeatedly stated that
the importers acquainted with the world market should try working as
exporters and producers. Specific results have been registered this
year, the Armenian President said. He also pointed out certain progress
in the banking system’s assistance to small and medium businesses.

Serzh Sargsyan pointed out the need for further cooperation with
the Armenian Government next year. "All of us are well aware that
the coming year is a year of hard work. The coming year must become
a year of revival," the President said. He expressed hope that the
Government will contribute to this process.

The Armenian leader wished businessmen success and said that the
success of each of them is success of the entire economy.