We will have an economic growth of more than 6 percent. Serzh Sargsyan

2017 can be characterized as a year of cooperation between government economic sphere bodies and businessmen. In this regard, all of you should be somewhat satisfied, because when the new RA Tax and EAEU Customs Codes come into force on January 1, you will all see and probably have already made sure that almost all of your suggestions, which were voiced during both formal and informal meetings, have been taken into account there. RA President Serzh Sargsyan said this at the reception for businessmen on New Year’s and Christmas holidays at the presidential residence.

“I am sure that we will have much better results in 2018 than in 2017, because in 2017 enough prerequisites have already been created to close the year with sufficient economic growth. I will not make predictions, but I think we will have an economic growth of more than 6 percent. Thank God, the coefficient of economic activity is high enough. already in 11 months we have had an unprecedented figure of exports equivalent to 2 billion US dollars, which is 20 percent of our GDP. We have never had such a figure. Our trade turnover has already exceeded 6 billion dollars in 11 months, we are talking about foreign trade turnover, but what is extremely important, structural changes have also taken place, because in 2012-2013 we had a foreign trade turnover of almost 6 billion, where, for example, the export of ready-made food was 12-13 percent of that indicator, and now it almost reaches a quarter. This is a very good and important indicator. It is obvious that such indicators have a positive effect on financial and macroeconomic stability,” the president stated.

The head of the country noted that it is the first time in a long period when the Armenian dram does not feel any pressure in December, on the contrary, it is trying to improve its position.

“It’s all interconnected, and I think you have a key role to play in this interconnectedness, so I suggest you all keep working at the same pace or more, especially considering that our new Constitution will come into full force in the spring of 2018. But I expect you, as an important part of our society, to reform your work in many ways. I suggest that in 2018 we all achieve together to bring unofficial, undocumented, circulation to a minimum. We have made a preliminary agreement with the Prime Minister and the government that we will do it so that in 2018 let’s completely regulate the document circulation. This is useful for all of us, for you, for the state, our army and our educators, everyone,” he said.

In the end, Serzh Sargsyan called on everyone to go that way without waiting, without anyone’s prompting.

“We will do our best to ensure that the cooperation is real, not as a checking or, I don’t know, punishing body and a person doing business,” he added.