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Armenia remains unfit for business

20 September 2017 16:44 (UTC+04:00)
Armenia remains unfit for business

By Rashid Shirinov

As next edition of an Armenia-Diaspora Forum opened in Yerevan, the Armenian authorities resumed search for ways to attract investments into this poor country.

But just how successful? There exist a number of factors that will stand as an impediment to the investments if not solved in the first place.

Failing democracy, corruption and absence of transparency, poor government policies and infrastructure, lack of professionals and rising immigration –these issues are nothing new for Armenia.

Those who once dared to invest in the country, now forewarn businessmen about those dangers they may face if they enter the Armenian business market.

Zareh Palian, a Diaspora Armenian public figure, businessman from the United States, participating in the 6th Armenia-Diaspora Conference, is among them.

Palian, talking to reporters in Yerevan, voiced that he does not trust the Armenian authorities. The businessman opposed all the promising statements made by President Serzh Sargsyan at the event, openly accusing the Armenian government of theft and unlimited greed.

“The insatiable greed knows no end. Of course, everything can be changed, but the people [officials] are in such languor, as if they are in paradise, robbing indiscriminately and with no conscience,” he said.

“Suppose I become the president of Armenia, if I must appoint a minister, if there is plunder, corruption, injustice, criminal inactivity in that minister’s nature, how can I force him to work for his nation, not for his pocket? If that’s in his nature, and I’m sure it’s in many people, for today there is a widespread belief that honest person is naïve, a despicable fool. On the other hand, person who displays all the negative features is a smart fellow. Where will this situation take us? Don’t you think we’re on the way to an abyss?” he was quoted as saying by aravot-en.am.

Palian noted that the Armenian government increases the electricity tariffs, although people have no money, and this means that the authorities are not going to change anything and they, on the contrary, do everything so that the people leave Armenia.

The businessman further reminded that he himself was a victim of the greed of the Armenian authorities. Answering the question whether the Diaspora and potential investors trust Armenia, he said: “The trust is at zero, they know they are being robbed, and there is no court. Four times I opened business in Armenia, with approximately $30,000 for each. All four were looted, and there is no court where it would be possible to restore justice.”

Armenian entrepreneur from France Valerie-Ashkhen Gortsunyan was also forced to end business in Armenia. She arrived in Armenia and opened a business in the 1990s, but six years ago she had to flee, losing her business and all the money.

“I see no changes, every day we see how everything is politicized in the justice system. If there is no justice, there is no trust, and if there is no trust, then investment cannot exist in Armenia. The whole economic system of Armenia is impossible for investment,” she told Tert.am.

The businesswoman added that if the Armenian government wants to change something, they need to quickly build trust, and only in this case the economy will function and investment will come. “If there is no democracy in the country, then there is nothing,” she added.

In Armenia, if businessmen do not share part of income with the authorities, they soon get persecuted and ultimately leave the country. And then the Armenian president again makes speeches to attract new Armenian businessmen living abroad.

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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz

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