Thursday, October 4 2018 19:04

ArmInfo.The trade turnover between Armenia and Poland continues to be very low. Head of the Economic and Political Department of the Polish Embassy in Armenia  Marek Reshuta said this on October 4 at the official meeting with  representatives of the public and pri vate sectors at the Polish  Embassy in Armenia.

On average, according to him, mutual trade annually amounts to about  $ 55 million. In particular, by the end of 2017, the Armenian-Polish  trade turnover amounted to $ 57 million. "But these figures do not at  all indicate the successful development of trade relations between  the countries," the diplomat said. In this vein, he drew attention to  the data for the first half of 2018, where the turnover slightly  exceeded $ 20 million. In particular, during this period Armenian  exports to Poland amounted to only $ 4 million, and according to  official Polish statistics, this figure exceeded $ 5.6 million. In  terms of imports of Polish products to Armenia, the volumes reached $  21 million, according to Polish data - $ 22 million. "These are  absolutely insignificant amounts," he stressed.

Referring to M. Reshuta's commodity positions, he noted that annually  $ 10 million comes from exports of metals from Armenia to Poland, $ 1  million - to textile production, food industry and drinks are  supplied to $ 800 thousand. Polish exports to Armenia are more  diversified. "When we look at the indicators on the export of metals,  supplies are made in the same volume, which simply means that there  are no new contracts. We stand still! It is important for us that the  varied Armenian products be represented on the Polish market, "he  stressed.

Taking into account the current level of trade and economic  cooperation, the Polish diplomat stressed the importance of  reciprocal visits of business circles of Armenia and Poland, in  particular, active participation in various events and meetings. In  this regard, Marek Reshuta noted that the Polish Embassy is open for  meetings, proposals and cooperation with representatives of Armenian  business in the development of effective cooperation with the  business community. From the point of view of future prospects, he  stressed that Armenia could become a springboard for the development  of Polish business with Iran and the countries of the Middle East.   Answering the question regarding investment cooperation, M. Reszuta  said that, unfortunately, according to official data of the Republic  of Armenia, the volume of accumulated investments of Polish business  in Armenia is limited to one transaction in the production of  clothing in the amount of $ 890 thousand.

Meanwhile, according to the data of the RA Statistical Committee, the  foreign trade turnover between Armenia and Poland in January-August  reached $ 34.2 million, with an increase of 5.5%. In particular,  exports increased by 10.2% to $ 6 million, while imports grew by 4.5%  to $ 28.2 million. In 2017, the volume of Armenian-Polish trade  increased by 6.8% to $ 58.6 million. At the same time, exports showed  a decline by 56.7% to $ 8.1 million, while imports increased by 39.8%  to $ 50.5 million.