Washington Consensus stipulations recommending against interference in the development of neighboring states’ industry are main impediments on the way to industry development in Armenia, according to the head of the Armenian Union of Local Manufacturers Vazgen Safaryan.

“As of today, 1,5 million people are out of the country. Unless the situation is changed, the industry volume will suffer a dramatic slump, resulting in Armenia’s inability to provide adequate jobs and salaries to its residents,” he told a news conference in Yerevan.

“Development of effective industry is impossible without governmental assistance,” Safaryan concluded.