By Gayane Saribekyan

YEREVAN. – Ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) MP—and businessman—Ashot Arsenyan assured, speaking to Armenian News-NEWS.am, that the proposed constitutional amendments are good in all aspects.

To the query on whether his business is thriving, he responded: “It’s not thriving, but it hasn’t been impacted [by the current economic crisis]. There are problems only with exports, but the domestic market has stayed the same.”

Arsenyan, reflecting on PM Hovik Abrahamyan’s grim predictions for next year’s economic conditions in Armenia, said: “The existing situation will maintain. Don’t expect [an economic] growth! I don’t think there will be any big change. The [economic] crisis should be gradually overcome.”

The RPA MP was astonished at the businessmen’s complaints that there is an unfavorable investment climate in Armenia. “I’m a businessman for 25 year, [and] I haven’t seen anyone obstructing, or saying anything, once.”

To the remark that perhaps this is because he enjoys the backing of the authorities, since he is an RPA deputy, Ashot Arsenyan responded: “I’ve communicated with other businessmen. Someone would have said, at least close to me, ‘No, you know, they’re obstructing me.’ (…) Businesses are equal in the market. Everyone is at a level playing field, [and] they are equal taxpayers, especially after 2008.”