Iran’s Interest in Armenia
Armenia’s authorities have great expectations with Iran regarding economic growth, that Armenia, as a EEU member, would be more attractive for Iranian businessmen, Iran will send its cargo to EEU space through Armenia and etc. 168.am asked Vardan Ayvazyan, RPA MP, Chairman of Standing Committee on Economic Affairs, why Iran should be interested in making use of the territory of Armenia as a channel, as Armenian-Iranian railway won’t be soon constructed , and construction of Azerbaijan-Iran railroad is rapidly developing.
“It may have an advantage regarding substructures, but if we thought that way, they might have transferred cargo through the Caspian Sea to Russia, moreover marine transfers are much more profitable, than railway ones and etc.,” V.Ayvazyan said.
He stated that Armenia enters EEU zone with 0 customs duties, Azerbaijan—no, for them it comprises 30%. According to Ayvazyan, the issue isn’t in transfer, but in the fact, that joint Armenian and Iranian enterprises should be established, and production—as an Armenian one, and should be sent to EEU. He noted that, for instance Belarusians were sending European production to Russia as theirs, “Currently, the same may be developed with the same scale, as cooperation. There are territories in Iran, where 2-3 times crop is obtained in a season, they have problems with export, and Russia has demand, and, I consider, cooperation will be effective.”
To the question whether instable exchange rate of Russian ruble will obstacle it, due to which Armenian products have already become uncompetitive in Russia, and our export was considerably reduced, V.Ayvazyan noted that depreciation of Armenian dram still continues and currently Armenia’s issue is only linked with transfers. For rising competitiveness of products, according to him, technological progress is necessary, “We should reduce its cost price and be able to compete. If in the coming days Iranian product enters here with big volumes, we’ll face problems as well, connected to production. The cost price is comprised of material expenses, implemented expenditures, fees and taxes. This means, we should consider it as a complex. Certain support should exist towards all export branches, and there are lots of means of it, starting from tax advantages, financial, subsidies and etc.”
By Gayane Khachatryan
