Armenia’s export to Russia not affected by temporary closure of upper Lars
19.07.2016,
11:38
The temporary closure of Upper Lars border checkpoint because of stone fall had not affected volumes of Armenia’s export to Russia, Vazgen Safaryan, the head of the Union of Domestic Commodity Producers, said on Monday.
YERЕVAN, July 19. /ARKA/. The temporary closure of Upper Lars border checkpoint because of stone fall had not affected volumes of Armenia’s export to Russia, Vazgen Safaryan, the head of the Union of Domestic Commodity Producers, said on Monday.
In his words, some progress is seen in export this year.
“Armenia has exported commodities worth $666 million over the first five months of this year, of which 20% were sent to Russia, and this is a quite good indicator,” he said. “Commodities worth $270-280 million are expected to be exported to Russia before the end of the year.”
Safaryan added that many exporters shipped their cargoes via ferry, and therefore prices for goods may rise by a few cents.
He pointed out the necessity of finding an alternative way for cargoes to avoid freight problems that has already became commonplace.
“Problems connected with Upper Lars border checkpoint emerge every year and it is necessary to find an alternative to it,” he said. “Road through Tskhinvali can be used as an alternative.”
It is also necessary he said, to speed up construction of North-South motor road and attract investments from other countries, for example China, and to build Armenia-Iran railway.
In his opinion, it would be the best scenario if the Abkhazian section of the railway was opened.
“But there is a political problem – Abkhazians don’t want to open the railway to avoid any relation with Georgians,” Safaryan said. “There is also another way – to build a tunnel on Upper Lars border checkpoint, but it is a very expensive prospect. There were three attempts to build a 24-kilometer tunnel and a 180-kilometer railroad, but all of them failed. Now it is necessary to return to this issue, since Lars is the shortest way to Russia.” --0----
In his words, some progress is seen in export this year.
“Armenia has exported commodities worth $666 million over the first five months of this year, of which 20% were sent to Russia, and this is a quite good indicator,” he said. “Commodities worth $270-280 million are expected to be exported to Russia before the end of the year.”
Safaryan added that many exporters shipped their cargoes via ferry, and therefore prices for goods may rise by a few cents.
He pointed out the necessity of finding an alternative way for cargoes to avoid freight problems that has already became commonplace.
“Problems connected with Upper Lars border checkpoint emerge every year and it is necessary to find an alternative to it,” he said. “Road through Tskhinvali can be used as an alternative.”
It is also necessary he said, to speed up construction of North-South motor road and attract investments from other countries, for example China, and to build Armenia-Iran railway.
In his opinion, it would be the best scenario if the Abkhazian section of the railway was opened.
“But there is a political problem – Abkhazians don’t want to open the railway to avoid any relation with Georgians,” Safaryan said. “There is also another way – to build a tunnel on Upper Lars border checkpoint, but it is a very expensive prospect. There were three attempts to build a 24-kilometer tunnel and a 180-kilometer railroad, but all of them failed. Now it is necessary to return to this issue, since Lars is the shortest way to Russia.” --0----
