Does Armenia need an echelon of export-oriented companies? June 9, 2011 - 13:23 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Executive director of the Union of Armenian Manufacturers and Businessmen Gagik Makaryan said Armenia needs to diversify export oriented production. Currently import to Armenia exceeds export by 20-25%, and this trend has been maintained for the past 5-6 yeast, Makaryan told a press conference in Yerevan on June 9. According to him, 80% of exported products from Armenia are represented by 15 goods, including output of the mining industry, brandy, gold, etc. “We face the problem of production diversification,” noted Makaryan. As for import, 25 goods make around 50% of imported products to the country. Makaryan believes there are two approaches to solve the problem: Armenia needs either to develop a concept of export development and create an echelon of export-oriented companies capable of sweeping foreign markets or improve the business environment, what is done by the government. “As a result, businesses will gain a potential for expanding their export opportunities,” he concluded. Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | Armenia considers Cyprus as one of its main partners in EU - envoy Armenia considers Cyprus one of its main partners in the European Union, Ambassador Tigran Mkrtchyan has said. Armenian, Albanian Foreign Ministers discuss ties, regional issues Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan had a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania Igli Hasani. POLITICO: Baku lobbying agains detained Karabakh ex-leader abroad Azerbaijan is lobbying agains former Nagorno-Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan, according to POLITICO. Armenia confirms will attend NATO summit in Washington Armenia has confirmed its participation in the NATO summit in Washington, a spokesperson has confirmed. |