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Diasporan Armenian Entrepreneur Cannot Compete with Gazprom

It's been more than 4 years that Gazprom Armenia (known before January 2014 as ArmRosGazprom) has been asking Alishan cannery to pay 20% more than the price of gas consumed, Alishan founder Serzhik Mosesyan said at a press conference on Wednesday. 

"They cheat everyone, but me even more because I'm not a local. I came [to Armenia] from Iran," he said.

Asked why he doesn't go to court, Mosesyan said: "You yourselves know that I cannot compete with Gazprom in court. I want to appeal to our [Armenian] authorities, to get their attention. The president said that repatriation to and investment in Armenia will be encouraged." 

The entrepreneur says the last notice he received surprised him. It was a document stating that Alishan owes 1 million 900 thousand AMD (about $4,700 USD) to the gas giant. Mosesyan claims the document is illegal since it fails to mention which month the debt was incurred. 

The notice stated that if the debt is not paid in 3 days, the gas supply will be terminated. Furthermore, the notice did not specify which 3 days it referred to.

If things continue like this, Mosesyan says, he will be forced to close his factory, which has 60 employees. 

Note, Gazprom Armenia representatives were also invited to the press conference today, but they replied in writing that they do not consider it expedient to participate in public meetings but would like to have a professional discussion with Alishan.