YEREVAN.- We propose to increase the customs duty on the import of cement from Iran and other countries to Armenia to AMD 22,000 per ton, stated the Minister of Economic Development and Investments, Tigran Khachatryan during a parliament session.

According to him, this must be done to support the competitiveness of local producers in order to prevent the closure of enterprises.

“We cannot allow the closure of our enterprises. They need state support, ”the minister explained. At the same time, he noted that imports are growing much faster than local production.

Khachatryan also said that according to the Ministry’s research, the average cost of cement from local enterprises is 41-42 thousand drams per ton, or about $ 85-90. At the same time, cement in Iran is more than four times cheaper - $ 15-20.

The government offered to raise import duties on cement to AMD 22 thousand per ton in order to protect local producers in the person of Araratcement company, which belongs to the head of the Prosperous Armenia party, oligarch Gagik Tsarukyan. 

The company, in turn, is unhappy that the government has refused to impose new duties on the import of clinker - raw materials for cement production. Today, Gagik Tsarukyan arrived at the Government to meet with the Prime Minister. One of the topics of conversation was the situation around the enterprise.