"Zhoghovurd" daily writes: "After the economic restrictions applied to Russia, the Armenian authorities announced that it is time to diversify the export destinations and enter the European markets more actively. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and members of the government regularly announce that the European Union has opened its doors to Armenian producers and businessmen, created preferential conditions, and Armenia should take advantage of this opportunity. However, as it turns out, the real picture does not quite match the official statements.
To "Zhoghovurd" daily, the businessmen engaged in exporting from RA, carrying out international cargo transportation and representatives of the transport sector complained that in the process of transporting cargo to Europe, they continue to face serious administrative and customs obstacles, which significantly increase both time and financial costs.
In particular, according to our interlocutors, the goods exported from Armenia to European Union member states are not immediately released at the border checkpoints. Trucks are subject to lengthy inspections, stalls, stay at customs terminals for days, additional inspections and administrative procedures are carried out. This situation has particularly serious consequences for the export of agricultural and perishable goods. While the product is waiting for border formalities to be completed, businessmen suffer additional losses due to both the deterioration of product quality and the violation of deadlines.
The problem is not limited to that. As long as the trucks are parked in the customs terminals, the transport companies pay additional parking and maintenance fees. As a result, the cost of Armenian products increases, and it becomes less competitive in the European market. In fact, the road, which is presented at the political level as a new economic opportunity, turns into additional costs and loss of time for businessmen. It is noteworthy that the existence of this problem was indirectly confirmed yesterday by Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan, announcing during the government session.
"Our cargo carriers do not want to deal with the European border. This statement of the Deputy Prime Minister actually proves that the problem is known to the government as well. However, until today, businessmen do not see any practical solution.
It turns out that after the difficulties in the Russian market, the authorities are trying to redirect the export of Armenian agricultural products and various products to the European Union. However, in practice, exporters face obstacles that make the European route not only more expensive, but also more risky. In this situation, many businessmen are already raising the question of how realistic it is to talk about export diversification, if the administrative and customs problems on the way are not overcome.
Because, no matter how much it is announced at the political level that Europe has opened its doors to Armenian business, if every shipment turns into days-long inspections, additional fees and the risk of product damage, then under such conditions, the European market is hardly seen as an attractive and profitable destination for Armenian producers. In fact, there is still a long way to go from political statements to real economic results to change the geography of exports. And until then, the price of that road is paid by the Armenian producers and freight forwarders, losing time, money and competitiveness."
Details in today's issue of "Zhoghovurd" daily.
