Two Applicants Competing for Nairit Re-Launch; Those Involved in Decision-Making Unknown

The submission of applications for participation in the tender announced by the Armenia’s ministry of energy infrastructures and natural resources for the re-launch of Yerevan’s idling Nairit chemical plant closed on January 20, however, no one knows who is responsible for the consideration of applications and the final decision-making.

Speaking to Epress.am on Friday, Nairit chief engineer Vyacheslav Ananyan said the ministry has received two applications, and since the plant had been declared bankrupt just two days before the announcement of the contest, he has referred the applications to Karen Asatryan, Nairit’s bankruptcy manager.

“The two applicants are the EU-ASIA Business Finance Centre Holding, and the Sojitz Corporation. The applications have been referred to bankruptcy manager Karen Asatryan, and the final winner will be decided by Asatryan and other relevant authorities,” Ananyan said.

When contacted by Epress.am, however, Karen Asatryan claimed he had “no idea what you are talking about.” The bankruptcy manager insisted that he was not dealing with matters related to the tender. “I’m not in the ad hoc committee and am therefore not acquainted with the process. I am only working on the bankruptcy case, and I do not have information on other issues. I don’t know why the chief engineer would insist otherwise, but I deal with nothing else but the bankruptcy case.”

Nevertheless, when our reporter again phoned the chief engineer, Ananyan persisted in claiming that the applications have been sent to Asatryan; “I do not know why the manager is denying this, but even in the department of letters is it recorded that the packages have been sent to Nairit bankruptcy manager Karen Asatryan.”