GROUNDLESS INCREASE OF PRICES IN ARMENIA – CONSUMERS’ ASSOCIATION

ARKA
Jan 27, 2010

YEREVAN, January 27. /ARKA/. "There is groundless increase of prices
for goods and services in Armenia", said Armen Poghosyan, Head of NGO
"Consumers’ Association".

"There is a process of groundless increase of prices for some goods
and services in Armenia", said Poghosyan. External factors of price
increase (situation and tendencies in world markets) are objective.

Armenia should struggle with internal subjective factors on behalf
of monopolies, oligopolies and shadow economy.

Hidden turnover of goods assist in groundless increase of prices. It
is necessary to control over the turnover of goods and services
and increase the number of their names. They should reach up to
500-800 instead of existing 470. In 2009 utility payments increased
by 116.8% compared with 2008, transport and communication – by 115%
and entertainment services – by 7.9%.

"Despite certain deficiencies, it is worth mentioning that there
is quality increase of a number of goods of local production. For
example, bakery, confectionery, milk products and beer", said
Poghosyan. Quality increase in water and gas supply was also
significant. "There is progress in many spheres except but public
transport", he said. National Statistic Service of Armenia informs
that in January-December 2009 inflation on the level of 3.4% was
registered in Armenia compared with the same period of 2008. In
December 2009 compared with December 2008 increase of consumers’
prices by 6.5% was registered. In December compared with November
2009 inflation of 2% was registered.
From: Baghdasarian