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NCI Determines Trends of Armenian Economic Growth

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  • NCI Determines Trends of Armenian Economic Growth

    PRESS RELEASE
    The National Citizens' Initiative
    75 Yerznkian Street
    Yerevan 375033, Armenia
    Tel: (+374 - 1) 27.16.00, 27.00.03
    Fax: (+374 - 1) 52.48.46
    E-mail: [email protected]
    Website: www.nci.am



    July 8, 2004


    National Citizens' Initiative Determines Trends of Armenian Economic Growth

    Yerevan--The National Citizens' Initiative (NCI) today convened a
    specialized policy roundtable on "The Trends of Economic Growth in Armenia."
    The discussion, focusing on the challenges of this vital issue of public
    concern, brought together government officials, academic circles, experts of
    the field, public figures, and the media community to define the priorities
    and development opportunities in the economic sphere, to make realistic
    assessments of the current state of affairs, and to address the imperative
    of a true struggle against corruption and the shadow economy.

    Karapet Kalenchian, director of administration of the Armenian Center for
    National and International Studies (ACNIS), greeted the audience with
    opening remarks. He stressed the significance of economic reforms and
    pointed to several mechanisms for achieving the objective. "In order to
    settle a number of issues of strategic importance, in particular
    strengthening the new independent state system and improving the living
    standards of the population, we need to create prerequisites for the
    proportional development of modern industry, the agricultural sector and
    other fields of the economy, to improve tax policy, and to provide sustained
    economic growth so that every Armenian family really enjoys its benefits,"
    Kalenchian said.

    Gagik Vardanian, the Republic's deputy minister for trade and economic
    development, addressed "The Strategic Directions of Armenia's Economic
    Development in Light of the Global Information Revolution," detailing key
    issues of efficiency and productivity in the Armenian economy. In his
    opinion, information technologies provide great access and thus facilitate
    quick orientation in the market as well as application of state-of-the-art
    networks and electronic equipment, all of which lead to sustained progress
    in the economy. "Given their efficiency in all spheres of life, the Armenian
    government attaches primary importance to ITs. It has worked out a
    development concept and a program of activities to face the challenges of
    the world market," he noted. "The government of Armenia has adopted
    strategic programs for the country's sustainable regional economic
    development in order to play an active role in integrating into the global
    information field."

    Gagik Makarian, director of the "Haiconsult" firm, delivered an illustrated
    paper on "The Key Obstacles to Armenia's Economic Growth and the Ways to
    Overcome Them." "It is senseless to speak of sustained economic growth
    unless we struggle against corruption and the shadow economy, make a due
    assessment of the operational branches of industry, provide mechanisms for
    an attractive investment climate, make export volumes predictable, and draft
    appropriate tax and customs legislation," Makarian opined. According to him,
    there are about 20 negative factors that impede economic growth in Armenia
    in view of the relevant transportation expenses, unfair and unequal
    competition, poor marketing experience, the political situation in the
    country, and a number of other circumstances.

    Yerevan State University economics professor Gagik Galstian entitled his
    presentation "The Anatomy of Armenian Economic Growth." "Economic growth is
    not an end unto itself." he said. "If there is growth there should be
    prosperity, whereas the living standard of the population as measured by
    substantive food intake per capita has been reduced twice over the last
    decade." An analysis of the data from 2003 brought Galstian to a pessimistic
    conclusion: Armenia's living standard is today on par with that of 1977 in
    terms of its Gross Domestic Product, with 1980 in terms of its industrial
    productivity, and with 1956 in terms of its cargo transportation and
    residential construction. Thus, society is lagging behind by more than 25
    years.

    The formal interventions were followed by exchanges of views and policy
    recommendations among the public figures and policy specialists in
    attendance. Noteworthy were contributions by MP Shavarsh Kocharian of the
    National Democratic Party; former minister of state Hrach Hakobian;
    economist Edward Aghajanov; Artak Zeinalian of the Republic Party; Stepan
    Mantarlian of Armaveni consulting company; Alexander Butaev of National
    Democratic Union; Petros Makeyan of the Democratic Fatherland Party; Ruzanna
    Khachaturian of the People's Party of Armenia; law professor Hrair
    Tovmasian; and many others.

    ACNIS analyst Hovsep Khurshudian closed the meeting with summary remarks.
    "Unfortunately, it is difficult to conclude the seminar on an optimistic
    note regarding Armenia's economic growth," he said, underlining that
    economic growth remains erratic, illusory, and narrow-based despite
    government assurances. "Moreover, the authorities have demonstrated little
    or no political will to struggle against corruption, as they are mired in
    the very clan system which impedes competition."

    The National Citizens' Initiative is a public non-profit association founded
    in 2001 by former foreign minister Raffi K. Hovannisian, his colleagues, and
    fellow citizens with the purpose of realizing the rule of law and overall
    improvements in the state of the state, society, and public institutions.
    The National Citizens' Initiative is guided by a Coordinating Council, which
    includes individual citizens and representatives of various public,
    scientific, and educational establishments. Five commissions on Law and
    State Administration, Socioeconomic Issues, Foreign Policy, Spiritual and
    Cultural Challenges, and the Youth constitute the vehicles for the
    Initiative's work and outreach.

    For further information, please call (3741) 27-16-00 or 27-00-03; fax (3741)
    52-48-46; e-mail [email protected]; or visit www.nci.am

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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