Armenia’s entry into EEU was not smooth because of crisis in Russian economy: Karen Asoyan

YEREVAN, JUNE 18, ARMENPRESS. Armenpress hosted Karen Asoyan – Armenia’s trade representative in the Federation of Russia. In the interview with Armenpress, Asoyan spoke about the Armenian-Russian business ties, export of Armenian products to the Russian market and the sales of these products.

This year when we became a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, Armenian entrepreneurs expected that they would easily enter EEU market after the mitigation of customs obstacles but it turned out that everything is not so easy. Why do you think the transition was not smooth?

“Whatever happened had nothing to do with Armenia’s decision to become a member of EEU. Armenia’s official membership simply coincided with the applications of sanctions to Russia and the crisis in the Russian economy. Those two factors affected the businessmen selling their products in the Russian market. The rouble was 100 percent devalued. The sales of food have decreased by 25-30 percent in Russia, i.e. the problem is not Armenia’s membership in EEU but the situation dominating in the Russian market”.

So do you think that Armenian businessmen would not come across the problems they faced after June 1, if there were not a crisis in the Russian economy?

“Yes, the reason is only the crisis in the Russian economy. That is why we are trying to amend the situation through different events. At the end of April the Ministry of Economy organized the exhibition “Made in Armenia” where we took the delegations of the Russian trade organizations. They made preliminary agreements with Armenian manufacturers. We are trying to somehow make the situation easier”.

It seems like the rouble is stabilizing lately. Are any positive signs already visible?

“Yes, there is certain stabilization and the Russian market is gradually recovering. Some of the manufacturers are interested in signing contracts in the rouble which will make the export much easier”.