ArmInfo. Armenian Finance Minister Vahe Hovhannisyan believes that in order to dispel the fears of citizens and local businesses, in particular, about the negative consequences of the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border for them, it is necessary to talk to them and explain that the positive aspects significantly outweigh the negative ones.
"We need to tell our citizens that Turkish goods are still coming to Armenia today, but through Georgia, to which transit duties are paid>, the minister said in an interview with OTA, touching upon concerns that after the opening of the border with Ankara, cheap Turkish goods will flood into Armenia, which will jeopardize local production.
The minister notes that when the border is opened, imports will become a little cheaper. But exports will also become cheaper, 'because we also send goods to other countries, paying large sums for our exports.'
'Yes, there will be certain differences. There will be companies that will face difficulties, but competition must be withstood. I think there will be changes, but it will not be a shock, it will not be a catastrophe, since today these same goods come to us with a small margin,' said Hovhannisyan.
The head of the Ministry of Finance does not see anything bad in this, but sees great opportunities. 'Armenia can become a transit country. Transit opportunities will create conditions for both investment and production of goods in Armenia, and for receiving income from transit. There are great opportunities here that we must take advantage of. I cannot imagine what we should do that will result in something bad,' the chief financier of Armenia summarizes.
