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Armenia has good potentials to secure economic growth - opinions
17:45 * 26.08.14
The Russian economy's slowdown, caused by the sanctions of the West,
may objectively impact Armenia's economic growth, an economist has
said, commenting on thereport about the Central Bank's lowered
forecast for the country.
"I think there are objective reasons, but I do not rule out the
possibility that Armenia will manage to record a higher economic
growth, as the incumbent government's program reflects the necessary
pre-requisites," Tatul Manaseryan told Tert.am, saying that he really
sees a considerable potential in the country.
As for the forecasts about reduced money transfers to Armenia, the
economist said he does not rule out such a possibility. "Over the past
years, we have traditionally observed a kind of dependence on
individual money transfers which help mitigate the social conditions,
leaving their positive impact on the population's purchasibility. We
now observe such trends," he noted.
Manaseryan said he believes that it is possible to record a
double-digit economic growth in Armenia. "These are not just our
personal forecasts, but clear-cut estimates. So if those responsible
for the economic sector have a real interest, we are ready to have our
participation," he added.
Addressing the report, the opposition Heritage party's deputy leader,
Armen Martirosyan, considered the estimates well-grounded and
predictable.
"They are actually attempting to make Russia the only economic
partner, without proposing any diversification. We said in the past
that should anything happen to Russia, it would directly impact
Armenia's economy. So the Central Bank has now given that estimate.
The transfers which come from Russia are a considerable injection into
our economy. There aren't basically injections in Armenia today, with
European organization proposing no more grants. So we need transfers
in the amounts we used to have to secure a financial flow to Armenia,"
he said.
Martirosyan added that he expects the sanctions against Russia to have
a boomerang effect on Armenia's economy. He cited emigration, distrust
in the government and corruption as major reasons preventing an
economic growth. "Even if we record a 7% economic growth, it will
offer us no advantages at all. Our citizen would feel a change only in
case of a 10%-11% growth, but only an open economic system can secure
that," he added.
The politician said he thinks that Armenia's EU association would
offer good opportunities of diversification, adding that higher-level
relations with Iran and China would also be positive steps in such
efforts.
Asked whether a political will would help develop such relations to
mitigate the situation, Martirosyan replied, "Political will in
Armenia suffices only for electoral frauds and [attempts] to make
state resources serve private interests."
Gagik Minasyan, a Republican lawmaker who chairs the National
Assembly's Standing Committee on Financial-Credit and Budgetary
Affairs, said it isn't possible to make absolutely trustworthy
forecasts in the changing world. "A very serious working meeting is
going to take place in Minsk [Belarus] today with the participation of
Russian, Ukrainian and CU [Eurasian Customs Union] member states'
leaders. The first ever meeting between Ukrainian and Russian top
officials is expected. Hence those discussions may drastically change
the situation. But they may also leave the things unchanged," he
noted.
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2014/08/26/centralank/
From: Baghdasarian
17:45 * 26.08.14
The Russian economy's slowdown, caused by the sanctions of the West,
may objectively impact Armenia's economic growth, an economist has
said, commenting on thereport about the Central Bank's lowered
forecast for the country.
"I think there are objective reasons, but I do not rule out the
possibility that Armenia will manage to record a higher economic
growth, as the incumbent government's program reflects the necessary
pre-requisites," Tatul Manaseryan told Tert.am, saying that he really
sees a considerable potential in the country.
As for the forecasts about reduced money transfers to Armenia, the
economist said he does not rule out such a possibility. "Over the past
years, we have traditionally observed a kind of dependence on
individual money transfers which help mitigate the social conditions,
leaving their positive impact on the population's purchasibility. We
now observe such trends," he noted.
Manaseryan said he believes that it is possible to record a
double-digit economic growth in Armenia. "These are not just our
personal forecasts, but clear-cut estimates. So if those responsible
for the economic sector have a real interest, we are ready to have our
participation," he added.
Addressing the report, the opposition Heritage party's deputy leader,
Armen Martirosyan, considered the estimates well-grounded and
predictable.
"They are actually attempting to make Russia the only economic
partner, without proposing any diversification. We said in the past
that should anything happen to Russia, it would directly impact
Armenia's economy. So the Central Bank has now given that estimate.
The transfers which come from Russia are a considerable injection into
our economy. There aren't basically injections in Armenia today, with
European organization proposing no more grants. So we need transfers
in the amounts we used to have to secure a financial flow to Armenia,"
he said.
Martirosyan added that he expects the sanctions against Russia to have
a boomerang effect on Armenia's economy. He cited emigration, distrust
in the government and corruption as major reasons preventing an
economic growth. "Even if we record a 7% economic growth, it will
offer us no advantages at all. Our citizen would feel a change only in
case of a 10%-11% growth, but only an open economic system can secure
that," he added.
The politician said he thinks that Armenia's EU association would
offer good opportunities of diversification, adding that higher-level
relations with Iran and China would also be positive steps in such
efforts.
Asked whether a political will would help develop such relations to
mitigate the situation, Martirosyan replied, "Political will in
Armenia suffices only for electoral frauds and [attempts] to make
state resources serve private interests."
Gagik Minasyan, a Republican lawmaker who chairs the National
Assembly's Standing Committee on Financial-Credit and Budgetary
Affairs, said it isn't possible to make absolutely trustworthy
forecasts in the changing world. "A very serious working meeting is
going to take place in Minsk [Belarus] today with the participation of
Russian, Ukrainian and CU [Eurasian Customs Union] member states'
leaders. The first ever meeting between Ukrainian and Russian top
officials is expected. Hence those discussions may drastically change
the situation. But they may also leave the things unchanged," he
noted.
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2014/08/26/centralank/
From: Baghdasarian