Interview
The Azerbaijani market may be interested in the Armenian wine assortment. Makaryan
Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan stated in an interview with RFE/RL that it is time to open the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. "In my opinion, it is a perfect time for the land border between Armenia and Azerbaijan to be opened, and for what comes by rail to the Armenian border to be transported from there to trucks in a multimodal manner and come through the Armenia-Azerbaijan land border," he said. Papoyan also stated that Armenia can export certain goods to Azerbaijan. "Agricultural products, aluminum foil, gold jewelry, ferromolybdenum, fish products," he listed.
Radar Armenia spoke with economist and director of the Armenian Center for Socio-Economic Studies, Gagik Makaryan, about the topic.
-In your opinion, what can Armenia export to Azerbaijan?
-The issue should be considered from the perspective of competitiveness, because opening the border does not yet mean that the goods can be exported. There must be such goods that the Azerbaijani market needs. For example, Armenia can export construction materials, as it uses advanced European technologies for wall leveling and interior decoration. Construction materials can be exported in large volumes if there is no problem with the train. 2nd, the Azerbaijani market may be interested in Armenian wine offerings. Azerbaijan produces wine, but it is not as successful or as large; Armenian wines have a higher brand, as do fruit vodkas. 3rd, which may be certain types of canned goods, since Azerbaijanis are tea lovers, especially Armenian jams. Competitive products include the uniforms Armenia sews for some European countries. We can mention specific types of medicines, electrical, and electronic equipment. And the last thing I see that could be developed in future relations between the systems is confectionery, sweets. Various Armenian factories produce high-quality chocolates, which are also exported to Belgium and other European countries. I also consider it necessary to mention cigarettes. Armenian cigarette producers, as we know, are also on the list of large taxpayers; that is, they can export in relatively large volumes, and if they have such great success abroad, why not that success can also be for Azerbaijan?
-In your opinion, are our infrastructures ready for this process?
-Armenian farms produce; they can increase their volumes if they know that there is a permanent market. Azerbaijan is a larger country with a population of 10-11 million; therefore, it is at least 3 times the size of the Armenian market. Why not let's say. For example, we will not have a problem in the canned goods sector; chocolates will be sold easily. The logistics and electrical wiring need to be revised and increased. There will still be outerwear options; factories are operating at a small part of their capacity, and it is easy to increase those volumes. There are no issues with the building materials. I am sure the Azerbaijani market is flooded with Turkish construction tools. Still, it isn't easy to import construction materials from Turkey to Azerbaijan, mainly bags, heavy items, and some interior decoration materials; these can be easily imported from Armenia.
Lilit Abrahamyan
