OPEN BORDER WITH TURKEY TO RESULT IN 5% GDP GROWTH: MP

ARKA
Jan 21, 2010

YEREVAN, January 21, /ARKA/. A senior member of the governing
Republican Party of Armenia argued today that the open border with
Turkey would result in a 5% growth of Armenia’s GDP. Vardan Ayvazian,
chairman of a parliament committee on economic issues, said at a news
conference economic dividends from the open border are obvious.

‘An open border is a direct road to a 71-million economically
developed market,’ he said, brushing aside fears that once the
border opened Turkey would flood Armenia with cheaper products to
kill local businesses.

‘There is nothing to hinder Armenian government to conduct a
protectionist policy, to set privileges for local producers,’ he said,
adding that an open border with Turkey means also a direct road to
European markets.

In his words, export of Armenian goods via neighboring Georgia makes
them non-competitive because of high transport expenses.

According to the official figures, Armenian GDP fell by 16% in
January-November 2009. The government expects the economy to grow by
1.2% this year.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress