In an interview with Tert.am, a Russian political analyst commented upon the social rebellion against the rising power prices in Armenia, admitting that the decision by Yevgeniy Bibin, the CEO of the Electric Networks of Armenia, turned out bad for Russian investors, simultaneously affecting the country’s international reputation.
“Yes, Binin’s activity greatly damaged the reputation of not only Russian investors in Armenia but also the state and national interests of Russia,” said Alexander Krylov, the president of the Society for Caucasus Studies.
Describing Bibin as a common Russian “universal manager’ prone to treat the “inferior class” (those not affiliated with wealthy business circles) with contempt and arrogance, the analyst said he finds that Russian energy companies’ social policies must be built upon approaches responsive to the realities in Armenia.
“Apart from the Russian management’s negative aspects in Armenia, much more undermining is the role played by the domestic ‘fat cats’, whose boundless greediness makes [many] Armenians leave their own homeland and state in search for a better future in Russia and other countries,” he noted.
The analyst said he sees that the poor management in Armenia’s state and business infrastructures too, essentially contributed to the decision to raise the electricity tariffs. “So without any drastic reforms, the problems in Armenia will increase in number from now on too, causing the social slogans to change into political ones,” he added.