It hasn't happened in 36 years": record trade deficit and obstacles to business discussed in the Armenian parliament A heated debate developed in the National Assembly of Armenia over the country's key economic indicators. Members of Parliament from the opposition demanded that Minister of Economy Geborg Papoyan explain the sharp deterioration in the trade balance and answer questions about the obstacles facing Armenian businesses abroad. The main topic of discussion was data on foreign economic activity. The head of the Strong Armenia faction, Narak Karpetyan, addressed the Minister of Economy, citing alarming data: in the last year, exports from Armenia decreased by 8%, while imports increased by 9.5%. "We can confidently say no. For 36 years, we have not had such an increase in the deficit," said Karpatyan, referring to the question of whether a similar negative indicator had been observed earlier in the country's history. Also, the parliament touched on the situation in the agriculture sector, where, according to the data of the budget department in the National Assembly, an 11% decrease was recorded. At the same time, he noted a contradiction with the latest data of the statistical service, according to which the decrease is 4.8%. Minister Papuan has yet to address these figures during this speech. The second part of the discussion concerned practical problems of entrepreneurs. Deputy Masroop Manoukian asked the minister what tools the state offers to businessmen who want to conduct authorized activities in the United Arab Emirates, but are faced with artificial obstacles. As an example, Manukian noted the difficulties that arise when creating a cellular operator. The parliamentarian also called on the minister to change the reporting format: "Answer questions with specific data", he emphasized, and suggested presenting absolute values ​​of indicators, and not just percentage changes. Geborg Papoyan disagreed with the parliament's assessment of the situation with the United Arab Emirates.

It hasn't happened in 36 years": record trade deficit and obstacles to business discussed in the Armenian parliament A heated debate developed in the National Assembly of Armenia over the country's key economic indicators. Members of Parliament from the opposition demanded that Minister of Economy Geborg Papoyan explain the sharp deterioration in the trade balance and answer questions about the obstacles facing Armenian businesses abroad. The main topic of discussion was data on foreign economic activity. The head of the Strong Armenia faction, Narak Karpetyan, addressed the Minister of Economy, citing alarming data: in the last year, exports from Armenia decreased by 8%, while imports increased by 9.5%. "We can confidently say no. For 36 years, we have not had such an increase in the deficit," said Karpatyan, referring to the question of whether a similar negative indicator had been observed earlier in the country's history. Also, the parliament touched on the situation in the agriculture sector, where, according to the data of the budget department in the National Assembly, an 11% decrease was recorded. At the same time, he noted a contradiction with the latest data of the statistical service, according to which the decrease is 4.8%. Minister Papuan has yet to address these figures during this speech. The second part of the discussion concerned practical problems of entrepreneurs. Deputy Masroop Manoukian asked the minister what tools the state offers to businessmen who want to conduct authorized activities in the United Arab Emirates, but are faced with artificial obstacles. As an example, Manukian noted the difficulties that arise when creating a cellular operator. The parliamentarian also called on the minister to change the reporting format: "Answer questions with specific data", he emphasized, and suggested presenting absolute values ​​of indicators, and not just percentage changes. Geborg Papoyan disagreed with the parliament's assessment of the situation with the United Arab Emirates.