Government to support businesses hit by Russian import ban, Pashinyan calls for market diversification

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced on Tuesday that the government will launch support programs for businesses affected by the Russian ban on Armenian goods. 

Russia has recently banned imports of a wide range of Armenian goods, citing alleged phytosanitary violations. 

Speaking at a campaigning event for the Civil Contract party in Lchashen village, Gegharkunik province, Pashinyan said that in the event of unfair barriers to exports, the government will implement subsidy and support programs, and will help producers who have suffered losses find new markets.

“The government has already decided that in all cases where there are unfair barriers to exports, we will implement support programs and subsidy programs for those goods so that there are no losers in our economy,” he said.

The Prime Minister noted that this refers to cases where the obstacles are not related to product quality. Pashinyan said there are situations in which exported goods do not meet quality standards.

“We cannot export low-quality goods at the expense of our sovereignty and national interests. We will support these businesses so that they can bring their products up to new quality standards,” Pashinyan said.

He added that Armenia is already working on developing new export markets.

“We already have several business delegations that have departed today. We are grateful to our international partners for their quick response, and we already have concrete proposals regarding the purchase of roses and fruits and vegetables,” the Prime Minister said.

Pashinyan also emphasized the diversification of export markets, stressing that Armenia’s economy should not depend on a single direction.

“When we produce 100 tons of pepper, we should not export 90 tons of it in one direction. We should export 25 tons to four directions, and then to five, six, seven directions. This is the formula I was talking about—replacing dependence on a few with dependence on many,” he said.

According to the Prime Minister, even if certain agricultural products perish due to export barriers, the government is ready to compensate the losses of economic operators.

Russia has expanded its ban on imports of Armenian products, extending restrictions to additional fruit varieties, citing alleged phytosanitary violations. Russia has previously banned imports of Jermuk mineral water from Armenia, as well as certain flowers and alcoholic beverages. In addition, imports of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and strawberries from Armenia have been restricted. Most businesses engaged in fish farming have also been barred from exporting products to Russia.