Opinion
Khachatourian: No Effort or Progress on US-Armenia Trade
As Armenia and the European Union (EU) inch closer to a comprehensive free trade agreement, pledges by the Obama Administration to foster expanded U.S.-Armenia trade remain unfulfilled. No meaningful movement in this realm has been made since the new U.S. ambassador to Armenia, John Heffern, began his tour more than a year ago, despite his own promises to prioritize bilateral economic relations.
Ambassador John Heffern during U.S.
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In this connection,i.e. to foment business between the U-S. and tiny republic of Armenia,there were some rumors that one of the two giant automakers ,namely Ford or GM would start a factory in Armenia.
I know for certain that the YERAZ Auto factory(soviet times) now closed could be a very could candidate to start Making ,no,not big U.s. cars, but like In spain or other countries these produce small cars….
Which would be lower in cost and with novelties such as half electric(hybrids) if possible , very interesting .Armenia then could export to next door Georgia and or other small countriesw.
Indeed thereare other industries such as in the line of food ,Kelog´s as an example and /or others.The Soft drinks are there already…
Free Trade? Try getting ANYTHING shipped to ANYWHERE in this country through Armenian customs without some, or several, archaic law / official getting in the way. Anywhere but Yerevan, that is. Apparently, without a bribe or the taxi of a customs official’s brother, It takes weeks to get something from outside of the country to some place other than Yerevan in this country.
Why doesn’t Armenia clean up its own act before blaming someone who has nothing to do with Armenian laws / corruption?
Perhaps we all can ask him at the town meetings coming up, as in NYC as to why no progress has been made, and we are going backwards on the issue of trade relations.
After all, last year to this year, the trade situation has deteriorated more…
Obviously, something is working against Armenia. Could be that Armenia’s enemies and their supporters may be doing more back-room politicking than recognized as they’ve accused the Armenians of such. If it is stalled in the US we cannot solely blame Armenian corruption or anything of that sort, could be US corruption, it certainly can exist as well as anywhere. Those in the US whom we might like to believe are friends, may not be as warm to Armenia as needed, otherwise there would be very different results.