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Gas price rise surpasses worst expectations
22:11 - 15.05.13
Vahagn Khachatryan, an Armenian National Congress (ANC) parliamentary
group member, who has since last year stated that the Armrusgasprom
Company has compensated for the rise in the price of gas supplied to
Armenia from its super-profits, did not expect a rise of about 67%.
`It is higher than previously announced. But it is not clear what
price will be set,' he said. There are hardly any precedents of a 67%
rise in the gas price.
Last year, referring to reliable sources at Gazprom , Armenian mass
media reported that the price for Russian gas supplied to Armenia
would reach $280 for 1,000 cubic meters and $320 from January 1, 2014.
However, Armrusgasprom neither confirmed nor refuted the reports while
the Russian side announced a schedule.
On Tuesday, Armrusgasprom website reported that the company had
applied to the Public Services Regulatory Commission for an upward
revision of the gas price - from AMD 132,000 to AMD 221,000 for 1,000
cubic meters.
A rise in the gas price has its impact on the prices for other
products, Khachatryan says. `First of all, it is electric energy and
transport,' he said.
Economist Tatul Manaseryan confirms the inevitable rise in the prices
for products and services and notes that the rise in the gas price
should be viewed from the aspect of its being in proportion to the
other regional and European countries.
`Official data are not reported in Armenia's case. However, from
reliable sources available to us we can see more favorable conditions
for Armenia than for the rest of the region and for Europe,' he said.
Manaseryan proposes viewing the price rise from the aspect of social
vulnerability. The population must be sure that the government will
continue its policy of supporting socially vulnerable families.
According to official data, socially vulnerable sections constitute
35% of Armenia's population.
Armen Martirosyan, Vice-Chairman of the Heritage party, forecasts a
double rise in the figure.
`Actual poverty is 70% in Armenia,' he says. People will not have
money to pay for gas.
Khachatryan says that the only way out for socially vulnerable
sections of the population is to use alternative means, whereas 90% of
Armenia's population is reportedly using gas.
Armenian News - Tert.am
22:11 - 15.05.13
Vahagn Khachatryan, an Armenian National Congress (ANC) parliamentary
group member, who has since last year stated that the Armrusgasprom
Company has compensated for the rise in the price of gas supplied to
Armenia from its super-profits, did not expect a rise of about 67%.
`It is higher than previously announced. But it is not clear what
price will be set,' he said. There are hardly any precedents of a 67%
rise in the gas price.
Last year, referring to reliable sources at Gazprom , Armenian mass
media reported that the price for Russian gas supplied to Armenia
would reach $280 for 1,000 cubic meters and $320 from January 1, 2014.
However, Armrusgasprom neither confirmed nor refuted the reports while
the Russian side announced a schedule.
On Tuesday, Armrusgasprom website reported that the company had
applied to the Public Services Regulatory Commission for an upward
revision of the gas price - from AMD 132,000 to AMD 221,000 for 1,000
cubic meters.
A rise in the gas price has its impact on the prices for other
products, Khachatryan says. `First of all, it is electric energy and
transport,' he said.
Economist Tatul Manaseryan confirms the inevitable rise in the prices
for products and services and notes that the rise in the gas price
should be viewed from the aspect of its being in proportion to the
other regional and European countries.
`Official data are not reported in Armenia's case. However, from
reliable sources available to us we can see more favorable conditions
for Armenia than for the rest of the region and for Europe,' he said.
Manaseryan proposes viewing the price rise from the aspect of social
vulnerability. The population must be sure that the government will
continue its policy of supporting socially vulnerable families.
According to official data, socially vulnerable sections constitute
35% of Armenia's population.
Armen Martirosyan, Vice-Chairman of the Heritage party, forecasts a
double rise in the figure.
`Actual poverty is 70% in Armenia,' he says. People will not have
money to pay for gas.
Khachatryan says that the only way out for socially vulnerable
sections of the population is to use alternative means, whereas 90% of
Armenia's population is reportedly using gas.
Armenian News - Tert.am