2024-03-02 16:51:28
There are huge queues at the border checkpoints, due to which the trucks are unable to deliver the cargo on time, which affects the price and quality of the given cargo.
In a conversation with Aysor.am, businessman, agriculturist Harutyun Mnatsakanyan mentioned that work at checkpoints is artificially slowed down.
“It can be said that it is beneficial for them, because the workers are able to take money during the queues and jump ahead of the queues. This has a negative impact on our economy,” he said.
According to Mnatsakanyan, the first is that certain businessmen, who try to get ahead of the queue, pay at least 500-700 dollars to certain persons, which specifically affects the cost of imported goods.
“And we have an increase in cost, which directly affects the consumer. One of the clear examples of this is the issue of liquefied gas. And secondly, transport companies cannot wait so long, because there are cases when they fall under the queue for about 15 days, which is not beneficial or implies an artificial increase in the price of vehicles and logistics organizations. We saw this last year, when there were cases when the price of a truck reached 5-6 thousand dollars, while under normal conditions it would cost 2-3 thousand dollars,” he said.
According to the businessman, the other most dangerous factor is the loss of agricultural products due to these queues.
“At the end of May-beginning of June, the more intensive export of fruits and vegetables will begin, and they may not get a place in those queues. For example, the maximum transport period for apricots should be 7 days. And there are cases when the queues last 12-15 days, and when the cargo reaches the place, it is completely spoiled and the businessmen suffer big losses. This makes the RA economy highly risky and harmful. This problem has not been solved for more than 2 years. These artificial obstacles, changes in laws also led to the ban on the export of dairy products, due to which many businessmen are now experiencing serious financial losses. And there are already rumors that the wholesale price of cheese has dropped to 1,600 drams per kilogram, which is already close to the cost price.”
Mnatsakanyan insists that this issue should be resolved as soon as possible so that agriculture is more competitive and not seasoned with big risks. In his opinion, RA, Georgia and Russia should show voluntary wishes and steps to solve the problem.
“Our government, businessmen think very short-term, they don’t do anything in the long term. A striking example was the ban on the word “yogurt” by Georgians. They registered that name as theirs and banned the use of that word, and we are forced to export that dairy product under the name “Armyanskii Yogurt”. How soon should there be product registration, marking, acquisition of author names and clear actionable steps with Russia and Georgia that will help avoid such situations.”
Referring to the weather conditions in the country and its consequences, the agronomist noted that the hail in Goris caused a lot of damage, especially to fruit growing. “There are several hectares of asparagus fields that were completely destroyed. Snow has fallen in other marzes, but it is not yet clear whether it has frozen or not.”