“The unfavorable agricultural year must have contributed to the rise in prices for milk and dairy products. However, this is not to the extent we can see now,” the economist Vahagn Khachatryan, a member of the opposition Armenian National Congress (ANC), told NEWS.am.

“I do not rule out collusion between cheese-makers as well. Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan’s statement in the ‘Armenian Cheese’ program may have caused a stir. People may have thought they would be able to export heir products and raised prices. Of course, consumers lose as a result. This is one more proof that the Government cannot be responsible for its statements and actions. Armenia lack necessary infrastructure for exporting cheese,” Khachatryan said.

According to him, “it’s not for the first time” that the Armenian Government makes inconsistent statements. “A number of government programs – a financial center, industrial park, Iran-Armenia oil pipeline – are in question. All of them are absurd. In 2009, when Tigran Sargsyan submitted a draft budget to the National Assembly, it provided for 9% growth – the world was going through a severe crisis, and we were all aware that even zero would be good for us. There as a 14% decline, and the Government did not bear any responsibility,” Khachatryan said.

On October 18, the Armenian Premier announced the launching of the “Armenian Cheese” program from next year. Under the program, Armenia is to increase cheese exports to Russia and, later, to other states.

The program will be implemented as part of the Government-private sector cooperation in export promotion.