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– During my visit I presented the program of the Government of the Republic of Armenia at Shushi Technological University, – said Ashot Markosyan, lecturer of the Chair of Management and Business of the Faculty of Economics and Management of Yerevan State University to the correspondent of “Artsakhpress”.
— Mister Markosyan, as we know you have had a very full working visit. What questions did you manage to discuss during it?
— As we know, on February 14 the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia confirmed the programe of the government which also includes 2019-2023 period. Such step is legal in terms of harmonizing two economic policies of two Armenian states in the nearest future essentially. We should have progress in terms of growth rates, integration and management of economics, because we painfully note that we had not used the last period suffuciently effective. Each country should use its absolute or relative or comparative advantages wich set itself in the profitable position along with its partners during cooperation. It is a very important cirqumstance. If we speak more accurately, then Artsakh has comparative and, even more, absolute advantage. The opportunities of Artsakh which make effective the management of economy, are also useful for the Republic of Armenia. These are mutually complementary and mutually profitable circumstances. By saying comparative advantage we understand that what the nation gains on the basis of abilities and education.
The use of the opportunities of the two Armenian states makes the export of Armenian goods and services more competitive. This is also an important factor. The five-year program of the government is promising and it should reflect numerous nuances within it. In terms of coordination, the programs should be based on the common features and the comparative and absolute advantages of our two states which can be viewed together as one complete absolute and comparative advantage, especially from the point of view of external markets.
— When the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan used the term «economic revolution», there were many contradictions that such term does not exist. In your opinion, can it become a reality as an idea?
— I am principally against that such term does not exist. Social-economic development can be accomplished in two ways: gradual and radical changes. These are in turn one after the other. There are two versions of the radical revolution: the first which denies everything and offers everything to start a new page and the second main path which exists when radical changes are made for constructive purposes and to accelerate and produce more effective results. It is also important to increase the effectiveness of government or state activity. Soon this should also become the most important direction in Artsakh. We should also manage to combine the economic growth with the global development patterns. The overall development pattern should be a crucial principle (guideline) for the development of national economy. Here again another problem occurs which concerns the increase of the labor of population and the development of human potential.
— Mister Markosyan, the ex Prime Misnister of the Republic of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan has recently addressed the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan with open letter where he mentioned about the flight development of Armenia and suggested to increase the amount of external debt. In your opinion, how is the article justified and how much is the government of the Republic of Armenia ready to accomplish it?
— The first responses to the proposal were positive and I can say that it is realistic. These resources should simply be used effectively. It is essential that the means to be included serve the economic development of the country, the welfare of the population and the improvement of the quality of life. There are no countries in the world that have no external debt. The reason is that the money in the foreign markets is cheaper. This suggestion is based on this thesis. From this point of view it is important to have investment measures. We must be sure that the measures will be used effectively, that is, employment will increase and the amount of export will increase.
As the researches and studies show, the main obstacle to the development of small and medium-sized businesses in the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh is the lack of sufficient financial funds which has led to the “rise in price” of money. Revolutionary and radical changes can take place in Armenia and Artsakh. In both countries, the main brake of economy among the others is low salary. It is also necessary to solve this problem and in this context it will be a crucial factor to overcome poverty in the coming years.
Interview by Ani Avanesyan
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