Armenian Presidential Candidate Vahan Hovannesian met with Armenian businessmen Thursday. The Vice Speaker of the National Assembly called the meeting to wish Armenia’s entrepreneurs a happy New Year and share with them his impressions of the economy and their role in its development.
"When this or that businessman becomes wealthy by exploiting the lever’s of government and circumventing the rule of law through corruption, he makes himself vulnerable and unable to express political and civic courage," Hovannesian said.
"There must be free economic conditions in order to create opportunity for the citizen and businessman alike so that they can work productively for themselves and the country," added ARF parliamentary faction member Artzvik Minasian, who was also at the meeting.
Hovannesian also expressed concern about Armenia’s growing trade deficit and lack of industrial development. According to him, Armenia is importing much more than it is exporting and thus income flowing into Armenia, quickly leaves it. It is, therefore, imperative to stimulate domestic industry, he said.
Hovannesian concluded the meeting by assuring his audience of the capability of the ARF to create secure and progressive economic conditions in Armenia. The ARF, he said, has very progressive and contemporary economic programs and the most knowledgeable teem in parliament. If the ARF candidate wins the presidential elections, Armenia’s entrepreneurs will have a positive role in reforming Armenia’s economy he added.
