It is the higher world prices, as well as the USD revaluation, that account for the rise in consumer prices for essential goods imported to Armenia, including sugar and butter, the Parliament member and owner of the Salex Group Company Samvel Alexanyan told NEWS.am.

He was surprised at the NEWS.am reporter’s remark about higher retail prices for not only sugar, but also butter and other products imported by the company. “Has the butter price been raised? To tell the truth I do not know, I have been away. If so, the aforementioned factors account for it,” Alexanyan said. He gave assurances that the retail price for the products imported by Salex Group will fall provided the world prices fall and the USD devaluates.

Alexanyan showed his indignation at the fact that journalists “are constantly noting the rise in prices for the products imported by Salex Group.” “Other companies sell their products at even higher prices. Even after the price rise, our products are much cheaper that those imported by other companies. Do not we have the right to raise prices, why do not they speak about others?” Alexanyan asked with indignation. He said he is not aware of retail prices, even in the CITY supermarket chain, as it belongs to his wife. “I have nothing but an MP’s mandate,” Alexanyan said.

As regards the TAMIFLU drug imported to Armenia by the Natali Pharm Company owned by Alexanyan, the MP was surprised to hear about the drug and at the journalists’ interest in it.

“Although I have nothing in common with Natali Pharm, I will find out the questions of interest to you when I talk to the company manager,” Alexanyan said, and asked the NEWS.am reporter how much drug with “a capital T” that person needed. Responding to the MP’s inquiry, the Natali Pharm management reported they have a sufficient amount and are going to import another 2,000 doses. After sharing this information with the reporter, Alexanyan asked: “I wonder what kind of drug this T…. is. What is it for?”