NATIONAL REPORT ON ARMENIA’S COMPETITIVENESS PRESENTED IN YEREVAN
ARKA
July 16
The presentation of a new national report on Armenia’s competitiveness
was held Wednesday in Yerevan.
Manuk Yerghnyan, the director of Economy and Values research
center, said at the presentation that the center’s report contains
macroeconomic indicators and shows their development from 1990s
to 2007.
The report also shows competitive ability of Armenia in the world.
"Some macroeconomic indicators of Armenia are quite high. In
particular, the country’s per-capita GDP is the second in the
world. However the country is placed 93rd in competitiveness
ranking. Armenia’s business competitiveness is 108th among 131
countries", Yerghnyan said explaining that he referred to the World
Economic Forum’s 2007/2008 ranking.
Official figures show economic growth in Armenia was recorded at 13.7%
in 2007 and per-capita GDP $2844.
Yerghnyan thinks that to improve its competitiveness, Armenia must
develop in two directions – to seek a "strategic breakthrough".
He finds policy of clusters supplemented with application of
innovations and advanced technologies can produce a considerable
effect.
The report points out the necessity of attracting direct foreign
investments, creating a business network of Armenian communities
worldwide and implementing strategic programs in the education sector.
Armen ian Economy Minister Nerses Yeritsyan said that relevant
state agencies will mull over the center’s proposals and make their
strategic conclusions.
"If we see particular plans of achieving this goal in the next
report, well place on record a practical result in competitiveness
enhancement", he said.
The report is prepared with the help of local and foreign experts.
In this report, Armenia is considered in comparison with SIC countries
as well as Central and East Europe and the Middle East.