YEREVAN. – Europe is interested in exports of the Armenian crude ore, head of the Union of Employers said.

Gagik Makaryan, chairman of the Union of Employers of Armenia, believes this is the reason the European companies are not paying much attention to ecological aspects of exploitation of the Armenian mines.  

“European Commission’s long-term strategy adopted in 2011 supposes imports of raw materials and workforce. The crude materials will be imported from the countries with transit economies, and workforce in particular from the Eastern Partnership states, including Armenia,” he told Makaryan on Monday.

However, he added, we must be aware of the fact that the revenue from the mining industry is still the main source of currency for the country.

“Exports of agricultural products and their processing make $200 million, while excluding beverages – only 35 million. One cannot build economy on these resources,” he resumed.

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am