Word “Revolution” scares off investors – Khosrov Harutyunyan

According to National Statistical Service the first half of the year registered quite impressive economic growth. One of the reasons is new opportunities opened as a result of Armenia’s membership to the EAEU, chairman of the NA’s Economic Affairs Standing Committee Khosrov Harutyunyan said, speaking to Aysor.am.

“The volume of export to EAEU has registered an impressing growth,” he said, adding that the registered results are agreed with the systematic decisions adopted by previous authorities.

At the same time Harutyunyan stressed that no systematic works are being carried out for attracting investments.

“There is an opinion that if we fight against corruption, against monopoly everyone would rush to Armenia. Of course I do not reject this necessity. It is necessary to fight against corruption. But it is not about catching and convicting, it is necessary to make systematic changes to eliminate corruption,” he said, stressing that investors are more scared off “revolution” as it supposes unpredictable consequences.

Harutyunyan also referred to the expiry of the contract on Russian gas tariff by the end of the year with which Armenia pays 150 USD tariff for 1000 cubic meters. He said he cannot make any predictions whether the tariff will be preserved or not.

“Energy bearers have strategic significance in Armenian-Russian relations. Sometimes other inter-state relations may be regulated through them. We must be prudent in Armenian-Russian relations especially in conditions of growing role of Azerbaijani for Russia,” he said.