Arminfo, Armenia



Expert: Without proper assessment of threats to the economy it is
pointless to talk about economic development in Armenia

Yerevan June 26

Alina Hovhannisyan. Until the threats to the economy are properly
assessed, it is not necessary to talk about economic development in
Armenia. The head of the research center Alternative, economist Tatul
Manaseryan stated on June 26 at a press conference.

"Without considering threats, it is not worth talking about a good
economic future, which is akin to a physically sick person who intends
to lead an active lifestyle," the expert said. Answering the question
of ArmInfo, T. Manaseryan stated that the key task for the Armenian
economy is to ensure food, energy, financial, investment and
demographic security. "Thanks to the revolution, we entered a
favorable environment. However, the outflow of intellectual potential
from the country continues, which will lead to the aging of the
nation, "he said. In addition, the economist raised the issue of human
capital from a professional point of view. "I do not want to offend
anyone, but we still do not know what country we live in." For whom is
the new government program being written? In the same IT area, which
is a priority for the government, we are actually not aware of the
number of specialists. Those figures that are published are not exact.
Armenia is going to become a health, educational, scientific center.
But who will serve? It is necessary to call on the new government to
address this issue in order to know who is dealing with, "T.
Manaseryan stressed.

In addition, he noted that there are no serious geologists in Armenia.
The school of geologists in Armenia, according to the expert, died
along with the old specialists. When foreign experts come to Armenia,
he continued, and they give an evaluation of this or that mining
project, there is not one Armenian specialist in state institutions
who would have expressed disagreement or would have indicated an error
in the conclusions of a foreign specialist. "Therefore, I first of all
noted the human potential, not touching the issue of production and
financial opportunities," the economist stressed.

T. Manaseryan noted that the assessment of the economy by experts is
not in demand in Armenia. He stressed that during 28 years of
independence of the RA no government had in any way formed possible
options for solving existing problems. "After all, not everything is
connected with money, there are questions for the solution of which
logic and experience are more likely. Naturally, the new government
has no experience and that's what we are here for. We should help in
this matter," he said.

The expert underlined the importance of involving Armenian Ambassadors
in the development of the economy, which, according to him, in general
terms, does not engage in anything other than organizing forums and
official meetings. "If each Ambassador once a year finds at least one
medium or small investor, let alone large investments, then imagine
how the economic situation in the country will change," he said.

T. Manaseryan added that it is impossible to assess and develop the
economy on an amateur level, calling it not just a science, but an art
where it is important to take into account all the nuances.