EX-PREMIER: MOST PART OF ECONOMIC, POLITICAL RESOURCES OF ARMENIA CONCENTRATED IN HANDS OF SEVERAL FAMILIES
15.06.2007,
04:23
Most part of the economic and political resources of Armenia is concentrated in hands of several families, Chairman of “Freedom” party ex-Premier of Armenia Hrant Bagratian told journalists.
YEREVAN, June 14. /ARKA/. Most part of the economic and political resources of Armenia is concentrated in hands of several families, Chairman of “Freedom” party ex-Premier of Armenia Hrant Bagratian told journalists.
If in USA 400 richest people control 10% of GDP of the country, in Russia 40 families own 16% of GDP, then in Armenia 58% of the country’s GDP appeared in the hands of only 44 families, Bagratian said.
“In Soviet times we feared a total equality, now we found ourselves in conditions of total inequality. In 15 years this inequality showed up more strikingly than in democratic countries having 400-year history of development,” Bagratian said. He also added than over last 10 years the gap between the rich and the poor increased by 7 times in Armenia.
“The authorities claim new jobs are opened in the country, whereas according to the official statistics, over the last five years the number of jobs decreased down to 1.1mln as compared to 1.5mln jobs in 2001,” Bagratian said.
The ex-Premier doubted the data of the National Statistical Service according to which the total wages fund makes 70% of GDP in Armenia with the total profit making 30% of GDP.
“In Georgia wages constitute 60% of GDP with the profit making 40%, whereas Armenia has the lowest level of wages in the region,” Bagratian said.
According to Armenia’s National Statistical Service, the economic growth in the country made 5.9% in 2000, 9.6% in 2001, 13.2% in 2002, 14% in 2003, 10.5% in 2004, 14% in 2005 and 13.4% in 2006.
GDP per capita made $1,989 in Armenia in 2006 against $593 in 2000. $2,558 GDP per capita is to be achieved in 2007. N.V. –0-
If in USA 400 richest people control 10% of GDP of the country, in Russia 40 families own 16% of GDP, then in Armenia 58% of the country’s GDP appeared in the hands of only 44 families, Bagratian said.
“In Soviet times we feared a total equality, now we found ourselves in conditions of total inequality. In 15 years this inequality showed up more strikingly than in democratic countries having 400-year history of development,” Bagratian said. He also added than over last 10 years the gap between the rich and the poor increased by 7 times in Armenia.
“The authorities claim new jobs are opened in the country, whereas according to the official statistics, over the last five years the number of jobs decreased down to 1.1mln as compared to 1.5mln jobs in 2001,” Bagratian said.
The ex-Premier doubted the data of the National Statistical Service according to which the total wages fund makes 70% of GDP in Armenia with the total profit making 30% of GDP.
“In Georgia wages constitute 60% of GDP with the profit making 40%, whereas Armenia has the lowest level of wages in the region,” Bagratian said.
According to Armenia’s National Statistical Service, the economic growth in the country made 5.9% in 2000, 9.6% in 2001, 13.2% in 2002, 14% in 2003, 10.5% in 2004, 14% in 2005 and 13.4% in 2006.
GDP per capita made $1,989 in Armenia in 2006 against $593 in 2000. $2,558 GDP per capita is to be achieved in 2007. N.V. –0-
