Armenia's Economic Pulse

[Haykakan]

Anti-Russia sanctions signal serious losses for Armenia’s economy - opinion

13:58 • 31.07.17

The United States’ recently adopted sanctions against Russia will economically have a serious influence also on Armenia whose imports and exports are largely related that country, according to an economist.

At a news conference on Monday, Vilen Khachatryan noted that 22% of Armenia’s exports go to Russia whose economy is now facing the major challenge. “What we see here is our number one ally facing sanctions. Also, most of Armenia’s imports - which are not limited to Russian goods – come from Russia. That’s an [economic] blow too, as it implies a rise in the prices of products,” he noted.

As another major concern, Khachatryan highlighted the possible losses for the Armenian employment migrants now residing in the country. Noting that layoffs first of all affect foreign nationals, the economist said he expects their return to Armenia to later have also its societal impact.
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2017/07/31/vilen-hakobyan/2445837

[HyeSocialist]

I find it insulting seeing how we have more than 100 buses, yet we are not using them because bus drivers are not professionally trained, seriously, let them just invest on the mashrukta drivers with a simple manual to learn how to drive those buses, its not that hard driving a bus if you put in some effort, seriously, what is the point of buying those crappy hyundai county buses, where they could of trained the mashrukta drivers to learn how to drive the Chinese buses.

It really is impressive how in such a small country, such an inept group of people are running the place. I mean you would think that they would hire a few people to at least make the place run properly while they loot the country. But nah, they cant even manage that.

[DieHard69]

MediaMax, Armenia
July 20 2017






Armenia to create integrated transport system



Photo: Photolure






















Yerevan /Mediamax/. Armenian Government decided at today’s session to create an integrated transport system that will provide all communities with transportation service.

According to Armenian Minister of Transport, Communication and Information Technologies Vahan Martirosyan, creation of the system will facilitate efficient work of passenger transportation and increase of control quality in the sector.

The Government will assess the passenger flows in communities, define the load by hour, prepare corresponding timetables and select transportation means to create the new system.

The project also includes organization of efficient transport service from villages to centers or large towns of the marzes and then to Yerevan.

Minister Martirosyan noted that international companies will also be allowed to take part in tenderings for operation of the routes.
http://www.mediamax.am/en/news/society/24389/

I find it insulting seeing how we have more than 100 buses, yet we are not using them because bus drivers are not professionally trained, seriously, let them just invest on the mashrukta drivers with a simple manual to learn how to drive those buses, its not that hard driving a bus if you put in some effort, seriously, what is the point of buying those crappy hyundai county buses, where they could of trained the mashrukta drivers to learn how to drive the Chinese buses.

[Haykakan]

MediaMax, Armenia
July 20 2017






Armenia to create integrated transport system



Photo: Photolure






















Yerevan /Mediamax/. Armenian Government decided at today’s session to create an integrated transport system that will provide all communities with transportation service.

According to Armenian Minister of Transport, Communication and Information Technologies Vahan Martirosyan, creation of the system will facilitate efficient work of passenger transportation and increase of control quality in the sector.

The Government will assess the passenger flows in communities, define the load by hour, prepare corresponding timetables and select transportation means to create the new system.

The project also includes organization of efficient transport service from villages to centers or large towns of the marzes and then to Yerevan.

Minister Martirosyan noted that international companies will also be allowed to take part in tenderings for operation of the routes.
http://www.mediamax.am/en/news/society/24389/

[londontsi]

.

[HyeSocialist]

I agree.
That is why the government should not ignore the regions.
In fact, if the regions are lagging behind it usually is through government inaction.

Lets remember that destabilization of the rural areas has big impact on our demography since traditionally the rural areas have a higher birth rate.

.

It's part of a global trend. No one wants to live in small towns. Look at how poor areas in the central valley of california are compared to cities in the bay and los angeles. How do you make these places better? Its happening everywhere in Asia too. How do you solve the problem? I think the answer is in one of the best wealth creating investments a government can make: universities.

Just like the University of California, Armenia should have its own university system nation wide. A flagship in Yerevan, and satellites around the country. One in Gyumri, Vanadzor, and Kapan. Then you incentivize kids to go study there (aka free education). Then you go to Europe, NA, SA, and Asia and ink these sweet student exchange deals and bring a lot of kids to Armenia to study for FREE. Before you know it, you're going to be having 10-20k young, intelligent kids living in the small towns of Armenia. Then the hope would be that each of these cities turns into a million citizen city.

Consolidate all the big public ones into Yerevan as your flagship Armenian State University - Yerevan (our berkeley) then use the 4 big state ones around the country as the ones you espand until that all have the same faculty as the flagship. 5 universities, each with 20k students. Its enough of a catalyst in a tiny country to start moving jobs to the smaller cities. Most importantly, itll make Armenians think about migrating to other small towns which will weaken the power of Yerevan on the small cities. HOORAY FOR FEDERATION!

[HyeSocialist]

Indeed, this is not a problem for just Armenia, the developed world suffers this issue and the 2nd world as well, Azerbaijan also suffers this problem as well.

The best way to get a sufficient birthrate is to encourage more families and larger than just 2 or give women and men more time, banning abortion would be very good, but it will meet heavy backlash.

Banning abortion for the purpose of increasing people is a great way to make sure the population ends being comprised of unwanted children. That is a dangerous thing. It's also inhumane to the mothers who will be forced to go through that.

I like your idea about the financial help. Also bringing familys out into other parts of Armenia might help out a lot. Nothing is better than actually making people feel good enough, secure enough, that they can have big familys.

[DieHard69]

I agree.
That is why the government should not ignore the regions.
In fact, if the regions are lagging behind it usually is through government inaction.

Lets remember that destabilization of the rural areas has big impact on our demography since traditionally the rural areas have a higher birth rate.

.

Indeed, this is not a problem for just Armenia, the developed world suffers this issue and the 2nd world as well, Azerbaijan also suffers this problem as well.

The best way to get a sufficient birthrate is to encourage more families and larger than just 2 or give women and men more time, banning abortion would be very good, but it will meet heavy backlash.

[londontsi]

cities tend to have a higher standard of living all around, getting the population to go back to there original place would be hard.

I agree.
That is why the government should not ignore the regions.
In fact, if the regions are lagging behind it usually is through government inaction.

Lets remember that destabilization of the rural areas has big impact on our demography since traditionally the rural areas have a higher birth rate.

.

[DieHard69]

Armenia is not a cooking recipe, 1/3 of this and 1/3 of that.

You have to look at the country as a totality.

Equally important look at the population and economy of the country as a totality.

Describing Yerevan as vibrant economically is a bit like describing the diaspora as vibrant.
The reality is the old generation(s) have assimilated and replaced by the new migrants who naturally have links with their identity.

The regions being ignored, people leave for the metropolis. the city may look vibrant.

The reality is once the region's population has uprooted itself in seeking a better life
it will not find it difficult to leave yet again its new found "place of economic activity" since it has lost/ broken its bond with his original birthplace.

cities tend to have a higher standard of living all around, getting the population to go back to there original place would be hard.