Opening of Turkish-Armenian border spells partial deliverance from monopoliesAugust 5, 2009 - 19:44 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - "Economically, both Armenia and Turkey will gain from rapprochement. Armenia could definitely benefit from economic relations with a large country Turkey is," RA ex-Premier Hrant Bagratyan said at a joint news conference with United Labor Party Leader Gurgen Arsenyan in Yerevan. According to Gurgen Arsenyan, RA business entities' production capacity might only increase from gaining some part of Turkey's consumer market. When questioned by reporters whether expansion of Turkish goods at the Armenian market is possible, Gurgen Arsenyan responded there's no grounds for concern as Armenia's production capacity, infrastructure and labor costs are lower than Turkey's. So in case of border opening, increase of production capacity and cost price optimization should be taken care of. At the same time, he noted, Armenian oligarchs are the ones most concerned over border opening as their influence will significantly decrease in that case. "Opening of Turkish-Armenian border would spell at least partial deliverance from monopolies," ex-RA Premier summarized, adding that maintenance of current price level in Armenia is explained by monopolization and lack of competition. 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 PM meets Iran’s Supreme Leader in Tehran Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a meeting with Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Seyyed Ali Khamenei Ruling MP accuses opposition of “serving other countries' interests” Khachatur Sukiasyan has accused Armenia’s opposition of serving the interests of other countries Protest leader vows to achieve departure of Armenian authorities According to Archbishop Bagrat, there is only one solution to the situation in Armenia. Heads of Armenian, Ukrainian parliaments hold virtual talks Alen Simonyan and Ruslan Stefanchuk held talks via video conference on Tuesday, May 21. |