Hrant Vardanyan: Masis Tobacco operates without downtimeSeptember 25, 2009 - 14:51 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Masis Tobacco operates without downtime and has not incurred the crisis impact, Grand Holding owner Hrant Vardanyan told journalists. The factory, he said, has 1600 permanent employees and 1050 seasonal workers. "Crisis has not affected our work; on the contrary, we had new job openings. All difficulties are possible to overcome if one uses common sense. Over the whole period of our work we have never sought Government's financial assistance," entrepreneur said, adding that per kilogram price for tobacco leaves comprised AMD 73 which the company paid to villagers.Touching on possible opening of Armenian-Turkish border, Vardanyan noted that it created good opportunities for Armenia, considering Turkey's big market. "Our businessmen's concerns that cheap Turkish products might oppress local manufacturers are unfounded. I think Government will make relevant amendments to customs policy legislation, protecting Armenian goods from damping prices," entrepreneur stressed. 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 | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |