Baghdasarov recalls years of Kocharyan’s tenure
The global economic crisis will reach its peak in 2013, the owner of "Mika Limited" Holding Mikhail Baghdasarov said on Wednesday.
Asked whether the exorbitant prices of air tickets, petrol and cement are complaint with the grave living conditions in Armenia, the businessman said the advance in prices is determined by the prices of imported goods.
"Petrol is expensive because it crosses two seas and a country [Georgia] before getting to Armenia," Baghdasarov explained.
In reply to A1+'s question why Armenia does not react to the decrease in fuel prices as quickly as it does in case of increase, he said, "How can we sell the petrol purchased at 10 dollars at a lower price?"
Baghdasarov says the demand for cement continues to remain at the same level, though the pace of construction has gone down as compared with the years of Robert Kocharyan's tenure.
Asked whether the government has taken the correct economic path, Baghdasarov said, "I cannot say where we are heading for. I can only say that no increase has been recorded in construction volumes. The mass construction that we witnessed in 2007-2008 is gone. However, things are better now than in 2009," he said adding that the whole world is trying to surmount the consequences of the economic crisis.
No discounts envisages for summer months
Armenia's national carrier Armavia is working with a tense schedule, Armavia owner Mikhail Baghdasarov told a press service on July 6.
"The company has changed its policy and replaced aircrafts leasing with their purchase by installment. We think that it is better to pay credits than rents," Baghdasarov said noting that the prices for airplanes have reduced on the international market, while the rent remains the same.
Due to various political and economic reasons, numerous companies appeared on the brink of bankruptcy which resulted in the reduction of aircraft prices," he said.
Baghdasarov explains the increase in ticket price with the growth in passenger flow in summer months. He says tickets are sold in phases: low and medium-price tickets are booked in advance, with expensive tickets remaining in booking offices till the day of flight.
"Ticket prices are the most expensive in summer period," he said adding that the company does not envisage any discounts for the tourist season.
