To ensure economy development, today Armenia needs direct investments but not transfers, an expert of the European Business Association, Hovanes Igityan, said during today's discussions organized by "Civilitas" foundation in Yerevan.
"The total of $3 billion invested in the country for 3-5 years will make it possible to open companies and job places, which will allow to keep in Armenia about 1 million Armenian citizens, that have been looking for a job in abroad. I don't think that all the attempts to present transfers from Russia to Armenia as a great mercy are backed", - he said.
Igityan is confident that Armenia's participation in the Eurasian projects of the Kremlin will not stimulate development of the Armenian economy, taking into consideration an absolutely opposite direction of vectors of development of the import-oriented economy of Armenia and the economy of Russia that produces low quality goods. He also recalled that Armenia having no common border to Russia will not be able to make use of the privileges foreseen by Armenia's joining Customs Union.
"The core and the economic ground of the Customs Union is to cancel customs points at the border. Taking into account the fact that about 200 customs points between Kazakhstan and Russia were removed, Kazakhstan's membership in the Customs Union is obvious, as this country spent $200 million every year for supporting of these customs points. Unfortunately, the situation differs in case of Armenia, as Georgia, integrated in Europe, separates Armenia from Russia", - Igityan concluded.
According to Armenia's Central Bank, in August of the current year versus August 2013, the volume of the private transfers from Russia to Armenia reduced by 10% - from $161 mln to $156 mln.