YEREVAN. – If the dollar (USD) exchange rate passes the 500 Armenian-dram (AMD) threshold, it’s all the same, and there is no need to be afraid, economist and former MP Vardan Bostanjyan said at a press conference on Wednesday.

In his words, this threshold should not be considered as psychological one, and it should be seen to it that the respective period—if it comes—must go smoothly, and without sharp fluctuations in Armenia.

“Especially sharp fluctuations harm the economy, and we need to avoid it,” Bostanjyan noted. “I’m surprised how the Central Bank succeeds in this.”

Over the course of the past one month, the exchange rate of USD 1 has increased from AMD 484-485 to AMD 495-498, in Armenia.