“I have never agreed with opinion that there is a failing struggle against monopolies in Armenia,” ARF Dashnaktsutyun MP and economist Ara Nranyan told NEWS.am. He stated that Government and Central Bank had assisted the set up of monopolies for years. Nranyan noted that artificially supporting the AMD exchange rate, government itself halted domestic production, encouraged import and furthered slump in competitiveness.

“Presently everyone admits that basically import sector enjoys the monopoly, which is true, but no one says that monopolies were created as a result of policy implemented by RA Government and CBA. Government constantly introduces to National Assembly bills entailing the boosting of various economic sectors. In the context of anti-crisis measures, government assisted one or two enterprises, not certain sectors. It means, they tried to pull through these companies, neglecting others,” Nranyan said, adding that the mentioned moves bring to the establishment of monopolies.

A.G.