On Thursday, September 26, after a government meeting, Armenia's Minister of Economy, Gevorg Papoyan, spoke with journalists regarding the congestion of trucks at the border and the development of the country’s foreign trade turnover.
According to the minister, Armenia’s foreign trade turnover continues to grow, which necessitates the ongoing expansion of infrastructure at both the Armenian-Georgian and Georgian-Russian borders.
When asked about the possibility of an alternative to the Upper Lars border crossing between Georgia and Russia, Papoyan said: "Of course, there is an alternative to Lars. The ferry is an alternative to Lars. It is not currently in operation because there is no need for it. Why use it and waste money unnecessarily? If the need arises, we will resume its use. If necessary, we will sign a new agreement, lease the ferry, and operate it."
The minister reminded that using the ferry had previously been a practical option, and the government had supported businesses by providing this opportunity. However, later the need for the ferry diminished as the capacity of the Upper Lars crossing increased.
Earlier, BMG reported that from January to August 2024, Armenia’s foreign trade turnover saw a significant increase, reaching $22.5 billion. This represents a substantial rise compared to the same period last year. According to data from the Statistical Committee, positive growth was observed in both the country’s exports and imports.
