YEREVAN. – No matter what the authorities say about elimination of monopolies and possibilities for any entrepreneur to carry out his activities freely in any sector, those having dominant position will preserve them for a long time, economist Gagik Makaryan believes.

“According to my calculations, at least three years will be required. Monopoly will not disappear if everyone imports everything he wants. Monopoly has been institutionalized in Armenia. For example, a large importer can bring tens of thousands of tons of goods, he has warehouses, shops where he can store and sell goods. No one can fight with such a monopoly,” he explained.

According to him, everyone wants to enter the market should be able to withstand competition with those who have a monopoly.

“Large importers have to appear to defeat the monopoly, or thousands of people should start importing the same goods for their factories and private business in order for this good to be competitive. But finding 1,000 people also takes time. Not everyone has time, extra money and infrastructure,” he added.