CATASTROPHE TO BEGIN IN ARMENIA IN 2013: HRANT BAGRATYAN ON STATE OF THE ECONOMY

Tert.am
15:42 ~U 19.03.10

Former prime minister of Armenia Hrant Bagratyan, speaking to
journalists today, said that a 22% drop in the economy was registered
in Armenia last year, though the statistical figure doesn’t correspond
to the facts.

Bagratyan is convinced that instead of a decline this year, it’s
possible to register a level of zero (that is, no change), if
"suddenly, fortunately, the entire government decides to go to work,
there won’t be room to move, but if they go to work, they do something,
the drop can be a minus" (that is, there will be less of a decline
in Armenia’s economy).

In Bagratyan’s words, "The catastrophe will begin in Armenia from 2013,
since the state has taken out absurd and short-sighted loans."

The former prime minister is convinced that, in order to stabilize
the economy, one must stimulate exports, and not imports.

"More than half the economy is centralized in the hands of 10 rich
people, who export serious capital, primarily buying real estate in
countries abroad," he said, highlighting that some of those individuals
are criminals, while others are the country’s first- and second-level
top officials.

Bagratyan noted that the program "100 Steps," developed by the
opposition, is directed at solving the country’s problems, and if the
government would like to make use of it, they can go ahead and do so.

The Armenian National Congress is preparing to present this program,
aimed at improving the local economy by making social and economic
changes, to ambassadors in the near future. Those aren’t abstract
thoughts, said Bagratyan, referring to the program, they’re specific
measures that can be implemented.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress