Armenian expert questions official export statistics
27.01.2017,
17:10
Tatul Manaseryan, the head of an Armenian think-tank called Alternative has questioned today the official figures, which say that Armenia’s exports last year surged by 20% to $1.782.9 billion.
YEREVAN, January 27, /ARKA/. Tatul Manaseryan, the head of an Armenian think-tank called Alternative has questioned today the official figures, which say that Armenia’s exports last year surged by 20% to $1.782.9 billion.
Speaking to reporters, Manaseryan said the substantial growth was secured by what he described as ‘criminal’ re-export of Turkish tomatoes and other goods by Armenian companies to Russia. According to preliminary data of the National Statistical Service, Armenia's exports to Russia in 2016 soared by 54%.
"There was no real growth in export. It is all a lie. What is portrayed as growth in fact was achieved only through "criminal" re-export of Turkish tomatoes, jewelry and textiles to the Russian Federation,’ he said..
According to official statistical data, imports from Turkey to Armenia in the first 11 months of 2016 grew by 18% to $145 million. Manaseryan argued that the free economic zone Meridian in Armenia, set up to boost jewelry production, is actually engaged in re-export of Turkish jewelry
"Turkish jewelry is being imported to Armenia and then forwarded to Russia despite the fact that Russia has imposed sanctions on Turkey. This looks like a big political problem," he said.
Manaseryan said this practice causes serious damage to Armenian businessmen, sound competition and the entire Armenian economy.
Suspicions that Turkish goods were being re-exported from Armenia to Russia first appeared after official data showed an unprecedented growth of ostensibly Armenian-made tomatoes to Russia. – from 709 metric tons in 2015 to 30,000 tons in 2016.
In May 2016 the Armenian Ministry of Economy promised to make an investigation into the "false Armenian’ tomatoes. In December, the Ministry of Agriculture said it could not prohibit the import of Turkish tomatoes as there was no breach of law. -0-
Speaking to reporters, Manaseryan said the substantial growth was secured by what he described as ‘criminal’ re-export of Turkish tomatoes and other goods by Armenian companies to Russia. According to preliminary data of the National Statistical Service, Armenia's exports to Russia in 2016 soared by 54%.
"There was no real growth in export. It is all a lie. What is portrayed as growth in fact was achieved only through "criminal" re-export of Turkish tomatoes, jewelry and textiles to the Russian Federation,’ he said..
According to official statistical data, imports from Turkey to Armenia in the first 11 months of 2016 grew by 18% to $145 million. Manaseryan argued that the free economic zone Meridian in Armenia, set up to boost jewelry production, is actually engaged in re-export of Turkish jewelry
"Turkish jewelry is being imported to Armenia and then forwarded to Russia despite the fact that Russia has imposed sanctions on Turkey. This looks like a big political problem," he said.
Manaseryan said this practice causes serious damage to Armenian businessmen, sound competition and the entire Armenian economy.
Suspicions that Turkish goods were being re-exported from Armenia to Russia first appeared after official data showed an unprecedented growth of ostensibly Armenian-made tomatoes to Russia. – from 709 metric tons in 2015 to 30,000 tons in 2016.
In May 2016 the Armenian Ministry of Economy promised to make an investigation into the "false Armenian’ tomatoes. In December, the Ministry of Agriculture said it could not prohibit the import of Turkish tomatoes as there was no breach of law. -0-
