ArmInfo.Infrastructure projects with Armenia may suffer from US sanctions against Iran, economist Atom Margaryan said this on November 6 at a press conference in Yerevan.
According to him, in particular, the matter concerns the North-South international transport corridor project. At the same time, the economist expressed the conviction that there are positive factors in the sanctions, for example, one can start developing logistics, as well as liberalize Iran's foreign trade procedures with Armenia and the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union. According to him, if trade procedures are simplified, economic contacts between the two countries will be activated, and this will be especially noticeable in small and medium businesses.
Atom Margaryan stated that the sanctions have already hit the economy of Iran, an economic downturn was recorded, inflation was 47-48%, unemployment reached 1/3 of the population. In this context, he noted that in 2015, after the lifting of Western sanctions against Iran, the Iranian economy recorded a sharp rise, oil production exceeded 2.8 million barrels, indicating a serious economic potential of the country, as well as a serious position of the IRI from the point of view of a regional player. At the same time, Margaryan believes that the temporary agreement on a free trade zone between the EAEU and Iran will not suffer as a result of the new sanctions and will be adapted to the new realities. The economist believes that there is no frontal pressure on Russia in this area of trade. "Certainly, both Russia and other EAEU countries are interested in developing trade relations with Iran, but there are obstacles that the Iranian side needs to eliminate. It is necessary to balance customs duties, solve transport issues and much more," he said pointing at the need to implement economic projects with mutual concessions and assistance from their governments. To note, the agenda of the Armenian-Iranian relations includes not only the North-South transport corridor, but also projects for creating of an energy corridor, the construction of a hydropower station on the border Araks river, etc.