Vital Lars road is closed almost half the year, Karen Chilingaryan says
“It’s no news for us that the Upper Lars [road] is usually closed,” Chairman of “Armenian Consumers’ Association” NGO, Karen Chilingaryan said during a press conference.
According to Mr. Chilingaryan in winter, the road is closed because of snowstorms, and in summer – because of collapses. “This is a vital road for us, which is closed almost half the year. [This situation] damages the economy and the entrepreneur, as well as the consumer – Russia and other EEU countries, where our agricultural goods are exported”.
Mr. Chilingaryan also noted that mainly agricultural goods are exported during the summer, and an awful situation is created for perishable foods. “Although the Ministry of Transport and Communications provided ferries, it didn’t solve the problem. In this case the transportation costs increase for $1000 per vehicle. This results in higher prices for the goods, making them less competitive”.
According to Mr. Chilingaryan, mainly the airlines benefited from the situation by raising ticket prices. “Airlines conducting flights to Russia drastically raised ticket prices. If it was possible to buy a round trip ticket to Russia for 100.000 AMD 15 days ago, now the prices aren’t any lower than 150.000 AMD. “Aeroflot” doubled the prices”.
Concerning the involvement of relevant institutions, Mr. Chilingaryan noted that first of all the Ministries of Agriculture and Transport and Communications should be involved in solving the problem. Particularly the Armenian Consumers’ Association is going to apply to the State Commission for the Protection of Economic Competition for violation of consumer rights.
Mr. Chilingaryan also said that currently there are about 100 vehicles at Lars checkpoint. “At this rate, the checkpoint will open not less than in 10-15 days. It will take about 2 months to completely renovate it”.
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