According to our sources, the Armenian government is getting ready to sell the “Yerevan Jewelry Factory”. Rumor has it that Minister of Trade and Economic Development Karen Tchshmarityan and National Assembly deputy Samvel Alexanyan recently pay frequent visits to the factory. Both factories-the “Yerevan Jewelry Factory 1” and the “Yerevan Jewelry Factory” are shareholding companies and have nearly 1400 shareholders, mainly workers. Currently, workers are worried over not getting their share after the factory is sold. It is worth mentioning that the “Yerevan Jewelry Factory-1” produces golden jewelry, while the “Yerevan Jewelry Factory” elaborates programs and work plans for the producers. Chief adviser for both factories Emil Grigoryan, who used to be the owner, told “168 Hours” during a telephonic interview that he denies the rumors about the sale.
“Karen Tchshmarityan hasn’t been at the factory for a couple of years and Samvel Alexanyan has simply taken some metallic items for his sugar factory in Gyumri,” said Mr. Grigoryan. Let’s add that last year, there were rumors flying around about the sale of the “Yerevan Jewelry Factory” and during the past couple of years, there were also rumors that the name of the factory was often tied to Armenian President Robert Kocharyan.