ArmInfo. Given the possibility of a second wave of COVID-19, this fall, new problems may arise in the economy due to the tightening of restrictions from the commandant's office. Gagik Makaryan, Chairman of the Republican Union of Employers of Armenia, expressed a similar opinion to ArmInfo.
"The recent relaxation of the state of emergency will not have a positive effect on all sectors of the economy. Losses in many areas are not solely due to the commandant's decisions. For example, the problems of the tourism field are a consequence of the stop of tourist flows between countries, the closure of borders, etc. Nevertheless, the relaxation of restrictions can provide dynamics in a number of industries, "he said.
The confectionery industry, according to the chairman of the Union, after the permission of the commandant's office to organize large-scale events, at least with restrictions, will be able to more effectively sell its products on the domestic market. Another problem in the field was the drop in the purchasing power of the population caused by the coronavirus.
In general, according to the expert, there is some activity in the economy, jobs are being restored. However, there are also areas that are still awaiting recovery to previous volumes. In this light, the expert, admitting that there is no need for new government programs to promote business, sees the need to improve some of the existing programs. In this light, Makaryan considers it necessary to increase the scale of programs aimed at promoting small and medium-sized businesses in view of the start of the autumn sowing and harvesting of agriculture. And social programs should be implemented once again. At the same time, the expert is convinced of the need to establish feedback in order for the government to receive information on the number of problems in a particular area. Otherwise, assistance can be received by those who have already received it, and those who have not received it may again be left with nothing. With the emergence of coronavirus infection in Armenia in March 2020, the government has implemented 24 anti-crisis programs to stimulate the economy in the country. According to Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan, about AMD 144 billion have been allocated to businesses and citizens within the framework of government programs aimed at mitigating the consequences of the coronavirus. 92.4 billion of this amount was allocated by the banking system within the framework of three preferential credit programs. Another 26.2 billion was provided to various beneficiaries as social assistance. 17.5 billion was provided as direct assistance to economic entities, another 19.9 billion as a loan.
