ArmInfo. Like before the coronavirus pandemic, now the priority task of the Armenian government is to develop the economy, including through the industrial sector. On April 6, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan stated this during online questions and answers.
According to him, Armenia should become a country producing end products, and not an exporter of raw materials. He is convinced that this approach is the key to success and cited the export of Armenian building stones as an example.
The Prime Minister also emphasized that Armenia strives to develop the metallurgical sector. Touching upon the possibility of establishing smelters in the republic, he stated that this could lead to wide debate related to the environment. In this context, he assured that for the government the issue of ecology is a priority, and industry in the country should develop taking into account all the highest indicators for ensuring environmental safety.
Speaking about the steps taken by the government to overcome the crisis, after the coronavirus pandemic is behind, the prime minister noted that the executive body has a short-term and long-term program for overcoming the current situation.
"We are talking about government investments, which will be followed by other economic branches. We believe that the main task for us should be the development of human resources, information technologies. Our youth must understand where the divining line is between poverty and opportunities passes, they must understand that this line is knowledge, science, "the Armenian Prime Minister said, adding that his team is now preparing a development strategy until 2050, some of which he submitted on August 5, 2019 in Stepanakert, and which focused on knowledge.
Introducing a short, medium and long-term strategy for overcoming the crisis, Pashinyan assured that, in principle, the strategy coincides with the vector that the government had already outlined before the crisis.
Clarifying the increase in prices on the main food products in today's realities, the head of the executive body stated that Armenia had lived for a long time against a background of very low inflation, including low prices for food products, and in January and February deflation was recorded. Generally speaking about the price increase, he assured that he had instructed his team to study the situation, and he could say that the bread did not rise in price, although there are products that have risen in price and the government is concerned over this fact. At the same time, the prime minister did not exclude that the increase in prices for some products is associated with fluctuations in the foreign exchange market and proactive measures are being taken for this.
Pashinyan also recalled that an agreement was reached within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union, on those goods - about 600 items, which, after the end of the period of the customs exemption regime, have risen in price since January 1, 2020. But a decision was made to abolish duties for the next 6 months, and the old customs rates will apply for these goods. He also called for no panic and no worries, the supply is uninterrupted and there will be no hunger in the country.
Pashinyan noted that a deep crisis not only in Armenia, but throughout the world is inevitable. In fact, he said, the global economy is collapsing today.