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Of eight presidential candidates, only three present not only an economic but also a general program, head of Alternative Armenian analytical center, economist Tatul Manaseryan told reporters in Yerevan, commenting on the election programs of Armenian presidential candidates. 

According to him, all three candidates have a focus on the social situation in the country, with programs containing provisions related to increase of pension rate, living standard and agriculture development.

“These candidates realize that it is impossible to speak about economic development without significant agricultural reforms,” the economist noted.

Election programs of opposition candidates, namely Raffi Hovannisian and Hrant Bagratyan have a large focus on shadow economy, said Manaseryan.

At the same time he stressed that besides common approaches to economic issues, the candidates’ election programs also have contradictions.

As for tax and customs policies, Manaseryan says there are both common approaches and contradictions in this field.

“Contradictions are especially noticeable in the election program of Hrant Bagratyan, while the election program of the incumbent President outlines the targets and ways of their solution,” he emphasized.