‘Haypost’ Will Not Be Privatized, Narek Babayan

The Armenian government has refused the privatization of the national postal operator, ‘Haypost’. This was announced by Narek Babayan, the head of the State Property Management Committee, in the National Assembly.

‘Haypost’ is very important, particularly for the rural areas of the republic, where it often acts as the sole provider of state services, Babayan added. 'After all, the national postal operator does more than just handling paper mail and parcels. For instance, pensions are distributed through the post. In the future, we also intend to expand the range of state services provided via the postal system. Thus, postal offices will become one of the centers for state services,' Babayan noted.

This indicates that the operation of postal services must be supported by the state, even if it incurs losses, according to the Committee. The company ‘Energoimpeks’ has also been removed from the privatization program. Under changes in the legal framework, this state company will remain the sole entity authorized to export and import electricity.

‘Armenia’s high-voltage electricity networks’ will continue to ensure the technical connection of Armenia’s energy system with neighboring countries; however, they will no longer handle the commercial aspect of this matter (i.e., contracts with Georgia and Iran).

In this context, the trading company involved in foreign electricity trade must remain under state control, even if it is not commercially advantageous, but necessary in terms of state interests.

It is noteworthy that both the national postal service and ‘Energoimpeks’ were proposed for privatization by the previous government.