Saturday, 16 January 2016
Economic Entities Discuss Industry Development Agenda with Prime Minister
Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan received a group of domestic household and food product manufacturers and exporters at their request. The meeting was attended by the ministers in charge of the economic bloc. The manufacturers expressed their concerns about the negative impact of energy prices on competitiveness and employment.
Given the global dynamics of energy prices, the domestic producers asked the Premier to turn to the Russian Federation, the strategic partner of the Republic of Armenia as an EAEC-member State, with the request to reduce the tariff on imported gas and pin the pricing policies on the national currency. Taking the opportunity, the entrepreneurs introduced their programs and considerations regarding jobs preservation and exports promotion.
Convinced that it is unacceptable to cut the jobs, Prime Minister Abrahamyan reassured them that the Government was ready to resort to a variety of tools in order to preserve the existing jobs and promote the development of enterprises.
The Premier stressed that the progress of economic relations with the Russian Federation and other partners is largely dependant on such energy tariffs as cannot be an impediment to economic competitiveness. He noted that the Armenian authorities have already appealed to the Russian government and, given the strategic nature of our partnership with the Russian Federation, are looking forward to a positive response.
Hovik Abrahamyan said that all the proposals voiced during the meeting would be considered by the Government in order to develop new steps and measures to support domestic businesses.
