Narek Karapetyan, coordinator of the Mer Dzevov (Our Way) movement, stated that Armenia remains among the world’s 110 poorest countries, even 35 years after independence, highlighting the urgent need for radical reforms and a new path for development.
Speaking to Panorama.am, Karapetyan announced that businessman and philanthropist Samvel Karapetyan is proposing a five-step economic plan, the first of which is the creation of 300,000 new jobs in Armenia.
He criticized past reforms for prioritizing security or political conflicts over economic revival.
“For the first 20–28 years after independence, reforms revolved around national security. Then came 7–8 years of political contradictions. Meanwhile, Armenia has been weakening—people from the provinces are leaving. Yerevan residents move to the U.S., while others migrate to Russia. Since independence, the population has shrunk by half a million and continues to decline,” Karapetyan said.
He noted that Karapetyan’s proposals are the result of years of strategic planning.
“Past leaders viewed the economy from a government lens. Samvel Karapetyan will be the first to see it from the perspective of entrepreneurs and citizens. Across the regions, the key issue is the lack of jobs. This leads to emigration, family separation, and social consequences,” he emphasized.
Karapetyan argued that recent years have seen declining production and industry in the provinces, while Yerevan’s economy is propped up by debt-driven growth, which he says is unsustainable.
“We propose to create 300,000 jobs in Armenia as the first step,” he said.
He added that a broader public policy plan has already been developed, focusing on industrial revival, service exports, and other vital sectors.
The strategy was presented during a panel discussion featuring economists and industry experts, who shared their insights and recommendations.
Supporters of prominent businessman Samvel Karapetyan, currently under house arrest, have registered a political party called “Strong Armenia,” founded on the basis of the Mer Dzevov movement. Parliamentary elections in Armenia are scheduled for June 2026.
