Traders cannot afford to travel to Turkey
Discounts are likely to be announced in Malatia fair in Yerevan on the first and fifteenth days of every month in order to increase sales, one of the salespeople of the fair told A1+. “The offer was made by the director but a final decision still needs to be reached. I liked the offer and I think it will work. It suggests that an item which is sold at AMD 15 000 can be bought at AMD 10 000 on these days,” said Artur. As a result of a protest staged by some 400 traders in February, the administration reduced the rent of pavilions by AMD 20 000. “Once I paid AMD 145 000 and now I shall pay AMD 120 000,” said Artur who sells shoes, sandals and boots of Armenian make. Traders selling clothes encounter more problems as they import clothes from Turkey. “They cannot go to Turkey to bring new goods and are forced to sell the remaining clothes almost at cost. We are all selling our goods at cost and can hardly support our families,” Artur added. Although the administration has reduced the leasing fees, many vendors have left the fair since they are unable to afford rents.
