There are companies that have not purchased grapes but want to export grape spirit, and there is an issue with them, Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan said in parliament.
“There are companies that have not purchased grapes in the last three years, yet for some reason over the same three years, they want to export millions of tons of grape spirit. That’s where I have a problem. Whose spirit are they exporting if they are not buying our farmers’ grapes? Why should we stand by them? They buy someone’s spirit, bring it and export it, and we should also stand by them? I will not stand by them,” the minister said, Panorama.am reports.
He stated that in the past, he had dealt with and supported all economic operators, but is no longer prepared to take the same approach toward certain companies.
Papoyan explained that there are two types of brandy spirit exporters. The first group includes companies that in the past three to four years have purchased tens of thousands of tons of grapes, and some more than 100,000 tons; according to the minister, he has supported those companies. The second group consists of those that have not procured grapes.
He was responding to remarks by Hayastan faction MP Garnik Danielyan, who said the authorities had not provided systemic solutions to freight carriers’ problems and had reacted only after complaints, taking fragmented steps.
According to Danielyan, both exporters and importers have faced unnecessary obstacles. In particular, brandy exporters were forced to wait for months in Georgia without receiving clear answers. He added that in such conditions exporters were unable to fulfill their contractual obligations.
The MP also alleged that in some cases issues were resolved in exchange for material incentives, stressing that the state is obliged to ensure conditions allowing businesses to operate normally.
Danielyan said the problems have persisted for years and suggested that the reasons may be political or personal.
“The internet is flooded with videos where people say: ‘We paid the money, and the issue was resolved.’ Is our state ultimately going to act here? Will those people hold us — the National Assembly and the government — accountable?” the opposition lawmaker said.
Earlier, Papoyan had stated that all organizations in the sector would be supported, provided they ensure uninterrupted procurement of grapes of proper quality.
