ArmInfo. Armenian Ministry of Economic Development and Investments expects to increase export extents in 2017 for $200mln, with growth tendency for $450mln in 2018.Responsible departments stated during the meeting with Armenian prime Minister Karen Karapetyan within which they discussed economy fields' development, economic indexes and issues related to investment involving, business field improvement, current and covered works and others. ArmInfo was told by the department's press-service.
According to Economy Ministry representatives, the main spheres, which provide export growth will become metal and headings producing, beverages, cigarettes, diamonds, jewelry items, consumer goods manufacturing and pharmaceutical industry. As to export logistic services the department noted that the work of the company has started, and the number reached 4. With that, main markets of potential export growth were defined, EEU, EU, UAE, Iran, Turkmenistan, China and other countries. Particularly, during upcoming three years export growth is observed to be provided in Eeu countries for $400mln, EU for $100mln.
The Head of the Government noted to that "You say export should go above import extents by 2022? It is a very good statement. But how will you answer and deal with the situation? If you know that we will enlarge producing for export, what are you going to reduce from import?
According to the source, the Premier was noted that annual export growth should total not less than 20%, and in 2017-2018 in mentioned areas 15 thousand workplaces are expacted to be opened, the main part of which will go to consumer goods industry. At that he was informed that what is to investments and opening new businesses, particularly in cosumer goods industry, there are already clear forecastst and corespondent terms. It is expected that in 2018 export extent will go above $56mln when in 2016 it was forecasted in extent of $12mln.
To note, according to preliminary data of the National Statistical Service of Armenia, economic activity in Armenia in January-March 2017 compared to January-March 2016 increased by 6.6%. In the structure of economic activity, the decrease continues in the construction sector - by 13.6%, the agricultural sector was in decline by 1.5%. In other areas growth was noted, with the highest in the industrial sector (16.1%) and trade (11.3%), and slightly more modest in services (10%) and energy complex (9.3%).