On February 22, at a joint sitting of the Boards of the Ministry of Economy and Union of Manufacturers (Employers) and Businessmen (UMBA) of Armenia, the participants held a heated debate over methods of increasing imports.

Director of the Ceramics Company Norair Khachatryan stated that Armenian businessmen are at a disadvantage compared to their counterparts in other countries, additional transportation costs being the reason.

The other businessmen shared his opinion. They pointed out that they have to pay an additional U.S. $350 per ton of imported or exported goods. Under the circumstances, export becomes uncompetitive.

UMBA Chairman and President of the Apaven forwarding company Arsen Ghazaryan disagreed with the businessmen. According to him, the transportation costs are an internal problem, as the South Caucasus Railway set higher tariffs for inland traffic than the traffic for the Poti-Airum direction. Businessmen propose that the Government grant profit tax benefits to them as compensation for transportation costs.

In response, Ghazaryan said: "Just look at the list of taxpayers. Which of the large companies properly paid taxes?" He said that banks mainly account for difficulties facing businesses. "Businesses lack money for developing. Bank loans are impossible to get. The Government has to provide guarantees to enable us to fund at least target programs. The interest rate on business loans must be within 7%," Ghazaryan said.