Saturday, July 7 2018 14:43

ArmInfo.The key task for Armenia is to achieve a ratio of exports of products and services to GDP of 50%, where finished products should of course prevail. Ashot Tavadyan, the head of the Center for Economic Research, stated about this input of the conference "Armenia-Russia Strategic Union: realities and modern challenges".

According to him, in 2017. exports for the first time exceeded $ 2  billion, amounting to $ 2.2 billion. "In 2010, exports increased by  25%, while in the first quarter of 2018, Armenia's exports amounted  to $ 596 million, which is 34.3% more than the same indicator in the  first quarter of 2017. Exports to the EAEU countries grew by 47.6%  .With the membership in the EAGE in Armenia for two years, exports  have grown by about 50%, which is the most important factor for the  growth of the country's competitiveness after Armenia's accession to  the EAEU.Therefore, the diversification of exports is also a  priority, it is necessary to use all the capabilities of the EAEU to  overcome $ 5 billion export (71.4%), timber products (50.5%),  textiles and textile products (35%), finished products (27%), cotton  and fiber products ", the expert noted.

According to him, in 2017, exports to Russia, which is a key partner  in the EAEU, grew by 44.6%. "There has been a significant growth in  exports, especially exports of finished products, and exports to  Russia are growing at a faster pace.The key role in the growth of  exports is played by its structure.The main prospect for the growth  in exports of finished goods, which has a high percentage of added  value, is Russia. growth of exports to other countries of the EAEU.In  the European Union, Armenia mainly exports raw materials, "Tavadyan  stressed.

According to the expert, an increase in the level of the country's  competitiveness was facilitated by the signing of an agreement with  the Unified Energy System on the lifting of customs duties;  simplification of all procedures - from registration and obtaining of  export licenses to customs clearance; stabilization of the Russian  ruble exchange rate for 2016-2017. The ruble appreciated by 22.5%, so  the currency earnings of exporters to Russia increased accordingly;  reduction of gas prices. "Armenia receives gas at $ 150 per 1000m3,  despite the fact that the price for gas in the region of 180-190  dollars Given the fact that Armenia consumes about 2 billion of gas  per year (in 2017 -.. 1.996 billion m3, height 7. %), the effect is $  70 million In signing the Treaty on the EAEU the price of gas was  about $ 400 per 1000m3 and Armenia the price dropped from 270 to 189  dollars, "-. he explained, stressing that Russia takes the first  place in terms of investment in the EAEU countries. According to him,  direct investments from Russia make up about 40% of all investments  in the Armenian economy. "It should, however, recognize that in part  because of the sanctions, and fluctuations in the prices of energy  resources a significant increase in the rate of growth of mutual  investments between the Member States EAEU has not happened yet. The  factor of mutual investments is extremely important for cooperation  economies EAEU countries, which is one of objectives of the Treaty on  the EAEU, "the expert noted.

At the same time, Tavadyan stressed that exports to the EU also  increased, which is primarily due to a significant increase in prices  for non-ferrous metals. "The export of non-ferrous metals, aluminum  sheets, ferroalloys is the absolute majority of our exports to the  EU, the price of copper increased from 4400 to 7000 dollars per tonne  in 2016-2017, while the extraction of metallurgical ores in 2008  increased by 13.2%.  of copper concentrate rose by 32% According to  the experts of the EU on the GSP + system, Armenia saved $ 8.7  million, while exporting to the EAEU, in the first place, taking into  account preferential prices for energy resources, exporters saved  about $ 70 million, "he said.

He also noted with satisfaction the fact that the attendance of  Armenia for 2017 increased by 24%, and tourism - by 18.7%. "1.5  million tourists visited Armenia in 2017. The significant growth of  tourists is actually the result of membership in the EAEU, while in  2017 the inflow of remittances to Armenia amounted to $ 1.756  million, an increase of 14.6% .In general, Armenia receives transfers  from Russia - 63%. Transfers from the United States amounted to 14%,  from Ukraine - 5.5% .The direction of labor migration has  traditionally been Russia, "Tavadyan said.

He also stressed that the EAEU has created additional opportunities  for obtaining concessional loans. "First of all, to strengthen the  defense capacity of the Republic of Armenia, unlike a number of loans  from international organizations from Russia, strictly targeted loans  have been received, two concessional loans of $ 300 million are  directly aimed at strengthening the defense capacity of our country a  target loan of 270 million and 30 million dollars as a grant, which  is necessary for the modernization and extension of the life of the  nuclear power plant, "the expert said.

According to him, the macroeconomic indicators that were achieved in  Armenia in 2017 were basically provided due to the conditions that  the EAEU formed. "From lifting customs duties, simplifying procedures  to stabilizing the exchange rate of the Russian ruble and lowering  gas prices for Armenia." It should be noted that the monetary and  fiscal policy of Armenia is extremely important, and without the  development of an antitrust and anti-corruption specific program, the  real development of the economy and make full use of the  opportunities of the integration processes of the EAEU, "he  concluded.  Conference was organized by the research and analytical  public organization "Integration and Development" and the Eurasian  Expert Club.