Armenia's Economic Pulse

[Zeytun]

Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

Seven leading US companies interested in investing in Armenia’s energy sector
13:10, 12 May, 2017
YEREVAN, MAY 12,

https://www.armenpress.am/eng/news/890379/seven-leading-us-companies-interested-in-investing-in-armenia%E2%80%99s-energy-sector.html

Seven American companies are willing to invest in Armenia’s renewable energy sector. More substantial discussions on their intentions and interests will be held on May 17 during the renewable energy conference in Armenia.

Matthew Eussen, head of the political and economic department of the US Embassy in Armenia, told ARMENPRESS the renewable energy conference is the continuation of those efforts which are aimed at strengthening economic ties between Armenia and the US. According to him, the energy sector is a growing sector in Armenia, and renewable energy – namely solar and wind energy, have great potential here.
“During this conference we present 7 leading American companies, which are interested in the market, and the interest can be the foundation for establishing partnership. This conference gives practical opportunities for companies to see what potential exists, how they can work and take practical steps, in the direction of constructing 55 megawatt solar stations and installing solar batteries on rooftops.

In terms of other possibilities, real and practical steps are ready to be made”, he said, adding a tender process will be held for building the 55 megawatt station, and from the submissions the best design proposal will be selected, which will have the chance to carry out the work.
Eussen said an average of 200 million dollars is invested for building this kind of stations, while the construction works and new jobs bring additional benefit to boosting the country’s economy. According to him, a greater interest exists among American companies towards Armenia’s energy system.

As a successful business operation of an American company in Armenia, Eussen pointed out Contour Global’s acquisition of the Vorotan hydro cascade. He also noted that Armenia is planning to carry out energy exchange with Georgia, which means the market isn’t limited only with Armenia, it becomes bigger and wider.

The conference is organized by Contour Global and Ameriabank. Matthew Eussen also added that in addition to the energy branch, US companies are also interested in the mining and agriculture branches of Armenia. “By working with the Armenian government, we try to ensure favorable conditions in order for the business environment to be interested in making investments”, he said.

[Haykakan]

Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

ONEX launched OnexMarket.com online platform for selling exclusively Armenian production to Russian customers.


The company informs that this is the first similar platform in Armenia.x The system allows customers from Russia to buy directly from the manufacturer at prices almost equal to the Armenian retail rates.

“Onex Market gives large, medium and why not small manufacturers the unique opportunity to sell their products out of the country without being engaged in the organizational processes of export and delivery costs.

Several months of preparatory works resulted in the creation of a website, which meets all the standards of international online trade and has more than thousand product names, including Armenian shoes, carpets, backgammon and chess, natural cosmetics, technics, leather and handmade goods,” the company’s message reads.

Being the official representative of Pony Express Russian postal service in Armenia, ONEX.am “guarantees fast and reliable delivery of purchased goods to any address in Russia.”

Within the frames of this initiative ONEX Market together with Idram online payment system developed a totally new for Armenia mechanism of money distribution among several bank accounts during the international transaction. Thanks to this mechanism, the manufacturers can see the order details and transferred money in his/her account within seconds after the transaction. x

The company founders aim at creating the Armenian analogue of world famous ebay. If now the ONEX Market staff fills the website assortment, then the manufacturers will have their own “seller’s page” after the second release, which will allow them to moderate their product lists.

The platform will start selling to USA and Europe in the nearest months.

ONEX expresses hope that its project will help raise the level of export of Armenian production and make it more recognizable worldwide.xxx

http://www.banks.am/en/news/newsfeed/13793

[Haykakan]

Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

China To Donate More Ambulances To Armenia
May 11, 2017

Armenia - An ambulance in Yerevan donated by the Chinese government.

China will donate 200 new ambulances to Armenia soon as part of its
continuing economic assistance to the country, the Armenian government
said on Thursday.

The government announced the impending donation as it approved a draft
Chinese-Armenian agreement on "technical-economic cooperation" at a
weekly session in Yerevan chaired by Prime Minister Karen Karapetian.

"After the delivery of these vehicles, the Armenian side will be able
to fully satisfy domestic demand for ambulances," read a government
statement issued after the meeting.

The statement noted that the Chinese government already provided
Armenia with 88 such vehicles several years ago.


Armenia - Chinese buses donated to Yerevan's public transport system,
24Mar2012.

Armenia has received Chinese economic aid on an annual basis ever
since 1999. It totaled $37 million between 2012 and 2014, according to
the Armenian Foreign Ministry. That included an $11 million grant
provided in 2013 for the construction of a Chinese school in Yerevan
and the purchase of equipment for the Armenian customs service.

In 2012, Beijing also donated 250 brand new Chinese-manufactured buses
to Yerevan's public transportation system.

China's President Xi Jinping and his Armenian counterpart Serzh
Sarkisian agreed to deepen ties between their nations then they met in
Beijing in 2015. In a joint statement, they noted "mutual
understanding on issues relating to pivotal interests and concerns of
the two countries."

A high-ranking Chinese military official visited Yerevan last month,
holding talks with Defense Minister Vigen Sargsian and the chief of
the Armenian army staff, Lieutenant General Movses Hakobian. The
Armenian Defense Ministry said they reached agreements on "expanding
cooperation and implementing a number of mutually beneficial
projects."

[londontsi]

Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

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[HyeSocialist]

Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

http://panarmenian.net/eng/news/239072/

self-destruction is continuing. How will we look about at this period in 100 years and who will we blame.

A lot of the folks have just built a complex in their heads that they need to leave Armenia. My last trip to Armenia included people constantly talking about coming to the USA and Russia. They see people that migrate to the USA who drive a taxi or a truck popping champagne bottles and they think that the living here is great. They all know about welfare programs and other "fast money" schemes. I found it insulting that the majority wanted to come to the USA for welfare programs, but ironically none would go to Sweden for even better welfare programs. I keep saying that it is the fault of the Diaspora that enables mass emigration from Armenia.

The thing is, your average Armenian has in their mindset the same mentality as many midwesterners in the USA that I've encountered. On their minds, the only thing is to "get out." The very act of leaving Armenia or Ohio to them is seen as a major accomplishment. The act of living in Los Angeles, even though you're drowning in debt and drive a salvaged car, is seen as a life's accomplishment. To speak to these people and tell them that they are better off in Armenia developing themselves and their lands is as if you're hiding from them the greatest treasure in the world and only want it for yourself.

I met Syrian Armenians that move to Armenia. They all work hard and try to make a living. I feel for them, but they do their best and get by.Your average hayastansi is an entitled little kid that refuses to grow up and constantly dreams of running away from home.

[arakeretzig]

Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

http://panarmenian.net/eng/news/239072/

self-destruction is continuing. How will we look about at this period in 100 years and who will we blame.

[HyeSocialist]

Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

PV Magazine
May 2 2017


Armenia announces tender for 55 MW solar project
The Armenian Ministry of Energy Infrastructure and Natural Resources has prequalified ten companies in the preliminary phase of the tender for the project, which will be located in Masrik, Gegharkunik province, in the eastern part of Armenia.
May 2, 2017 Emiliano Bellini

Armenia’s Ministry of Energy Infrastructure and Natural Resources announced it will issue a tender for the construction of a 55 MW PV power plant in Masrik, Gegharkunik province, eastern Armenia. State-owned press agency Arka reports that already 40 unspecified developers have expressed interest in the project, and that only 10 were prequalified for the tender.
Deputy Minister Hayk Harutyunyan said the project’s required investment should be between $40 million and $60 million. The tender is scheduled to be completed in the second quarter of next year. The minister also said that the project could be expanded to 100 MW at a later stage, depending on the investor’s interest.
The project is part of the national plan for the development of renewable energies and is one of six PV plants with a combined capacity of 110 MW that the government is currently supporting through a recently created ad hoc commission.
The commission is formed by representatives from the Ministry of Energy Infrastructure and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economic Development and Investments, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the Central Bank and the State Services Regulatory Commission.
In late April, the Republic of Armenia Ministry of Economic Development and Investment announced it exempted solar project developers from paying customs duties on the import of PV components for the first time.
In mid-April, the Ministry of Energy announced the start of construction on the country’s third 1 MW PV plant being developed under the special tariff regime introduced by the Armenian Public Services regulation commission (PSRC) in December 2016.
The Armenian government is currently supporting PV projects up to 1 MW through a FIT scheme and residential and commercial solar up to 150 kW through net-metering.
Armenia’s six-year $58 million solar program is directed by the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Foundation, a non-governmental organization whose mission is to facilitate investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy in Armenia. The scheme is also supported by the Climate Investment Funds, the Armenian Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2017/05/...solar-project/

Finally. Solar and Wind power is something Armenia can not only use, but also build. Solar Power especially. We have everything domestically ready to build these things. Wind power in Armenia has about a 500mw exploitable opportunity. Seems like a good target and project for the government to try to take.

[Haykakan]

Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

PV Magazine
May 2 2017


Armenia announces tender for 55 MW solar project
The Armenian Ministry of Energy Infrastructure and Natural Resources has prequalified ten companies in the preliminary phase of the tender for the project, which will be located in Masrik, Gegharkunik province, in the eastern part of Armenia.
May 2, 2017 Emiliano Bellini

Armenia’s Ministry of Energy Infrastructure and Natural Resources announced it will issue a tender for the construction of a 55 MW PV power plant in Masrik, Gegharkunik province, eastern Armenia. State-owned press agency Arka reports that already 40 unspecified developers have expressed interest in the project, and that only 10 were prequalified for the tender.
Deputy Minister Hayk Harutyunyan said the project’s required investment should be between $40 million and $60 million. The tender is scheduled to be completed in the second quarter of next year. The minister also said that the project could be expanded to 100 MW at a later stage, depending on the investor’s interest.
The project is part of the national plan for the development of renewable energies and is one of six PV plants with a combined capacity of 110 MW that the government is currently supporting through a recently created ad hoc commission.
The commission is formed by representatives from the Ministry of Energy Infrastructure and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economic Development and Investments, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the Central Bank and the State Services Regulatory Commission.
In late April, the Republic of Armenia Ministry of Economic Development and Investment announced it exempted solar project developers from paying customs duties on the import of PV components for the first time.
In mid-April, the Ministry of Energy announced the start of construction on the country’s third 1 MW PV plant being developed under the special tariff regime introduced by the Armenian Public Services regulation commission (PSRC) in December 2016.
The Armenian government is currently supporting PV projects up to 1 MW through a FIT scheme and residential and commercial solar up to 150 kW through net-metering.
Armenia’s six-year $58 million solar program is directed by the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Foundation, a non-governmental organization whose mission is to facilitate investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy in Armenia. The scheme is also supported by the Climate Investment Funds, the Armenian Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank.

https://www.pv-magazine.com/2017/05/02/armenia-announces-tender-for-55-mw-solar-project/

[Eddo211]

Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

That is good news.

[Haykakan]

Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

Armenia, EU start negotiations on Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement
13:42, 27 Apr 2017
Siranush Ghazanchyan



The first stage of the negotiations between the Republic of Armenia and the European Union on the Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement (Common Aviation Area between the Republic of Armenia and the European Union) has been kicked off.
“The Common Aviation Area Agreement will help to enhance tourism & trade, allow more EU citizens discover beautiful Armenia,” Head of the EU Delegation to Armenian Piotr Switalski said at thexopening of the negotiations.
“This is a beautiful day because the relations between Armenia and the European Union are getting a new positive impetus,” he said.
The negotiating group of the Armenian side will be headed by the Head of the General Department of Civil Aviation of the Republic of Armenia Sergey Avetisyan.
Negotiating delegation from the European Union side is headed by the Deputy Head of Unit for Aviation Agreements of the European Commission xKlaus Geil.
In the frames of this agreement the Republic of Armenia will join the EU Common Aviation Area, and as a result the parties will liberalize the market, providing the airlines with the opportunity to operate the routes without any limitations and enjoy equal opportunities of servicing a market with a population of 500 million.
The effective European standards will be introduced in the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian and foreign airlines will be provided with the opportunity to operate air routes based on commercial considerations without any limiting interference by the states.
We should note that on 1 December of 2016 the Council of EU Transport Ministers adopted a mandate that allowed the European Commission to start negotiations with the Republic of Armenia.

http://www.armradio.am/en/2017/04/27/armenia-eu-start-negotiations-on-comprehensive-air-transport-agreement/