Slight Dynamics Observed in Light Industry: Suren Bekirski

“I can neither comment, nor confirm, nor deny the 10% GDP growth. However, as compared to the previous year, it’s more dynamic this year: if last year it was simply unbearable, this year slight dynamics is observed in light industry and it’s mainly in the direction of Russia. In other directions neither 10 nor 5% growth is observed,” Suren Bekirski, Director of Tosp knitwear factory, co-chair of the country’s Union of Light Industry Employers, told 168.am, touching upon the statement of Russian president Putin at the meeting with Armenian president Sargsyan in Moscow, that “after Armenia’s membership to EAEU, GDP recorded 10% growth.”

In his words, Armenian production isn’t traditionally bad, is on average level in EAEU and strives to a higher level. “Qualitatively, productively, technologically we have much space in the market, however, we withdraw regarding prices. Pricing is rather problematic and is linked to non-production costs and we are vulnerable regarding pricing. However, in qualitative and productivity culture competitive chances are more. The biggest issue in the field for us is tax burden, and not even taxes, but parallel expenditures—arrears, fines and penalties.”

By Gayane Khachatryan