Hrant Vardanyan will ''Get along''with pastry sales
Smoking is dangerous to the health"-warned President of "Grand Holding", businessman Hrant Vardanyan as he gave a report on his achievements in cigarette sales and other sales.
"We'll get along with selling pastry, just as long as the people don't smoke," said Vardanyan.
In 2008, "Grand Holding" paid 11,635,606.0 drams in state taxes from the six companies of "Grand Holding". According to Vardanyan, the global economic recession will not have a huge impact on "Grand Holding".
"I present these numbers and tell you that not all fields may feel the impact of the crisis. An illustrative example is a company that works better in a half-crisis situation. We are receiving the latest machines of the new generation for cigarette production."
Vardanyan proudly stated that he is honored to continue to be the top taxpayer in the country. He assured all of his workers that there will not be any lay-offs in 2009 and that there will be new vacancies and higher salaries.
The company currently has 4,300 workers, not counting the contracts signed with residents from the rural regions which, according to Vardanyan, reach the tens of thousands mark. Vardanyan informed that the villagers no longer dry the cigarette and leave it to the company to dry it while it is green. The company is planning to start producing juices.
Hrant Vardanyan said that he is not against Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan's statement regarding circulation of products between CIS countries in rubles.
"Yes, it is possible to create a ruble zone," said Mr. Vardanyan.
Hrant Vardanyan denied rumors claiming that he has pretensions to become Prime Minister and stated that he is planning to smoothly transfer his business to his sons and move on to a pension plan due to health problems.
