Armenia's Economic Pulse

[Haykakan]

Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

The paper was 12 pages long so i cant just paste it here. I got a photobucket account but not sure if that will work. Ill try it and see.

[Haykakan]

Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

Photobucket didnt work. Tigran that service costs $15 i think i will pass on that one.

[KarotheGreat]

Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

The paper was 12 pages long so i cant just paste it here. I got a photobucket account but not sure if that will work. Ill try it and see.

Just open a new thread and post a page a day that will be fun to read.

[Haykakan]

Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

Just open a new thread and post a page a day that will be fun to read.

That sounds reasonable. Ill do it after i get some more homework done. I wish there was a couple days break between classes.

[Tigranakert]

Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

Yerevan ‘Redevelopment’ Project Gets Support From Moscow Mayor




MOSCOW (RFE/RL)–The Mayor of Moscow reaffirmed on Wednesday a pledge to support a massive redevelopment project in Yerevan which the Armenian government says will require billions of dollars in investments.

The government announced early this year plans for building a new upscale residential and financial district in place of a rundown neighborhood perched on a hill outside the city center.

Moscow’s longtime Mayor Yuri Luzhkov endorsed the ambitious project, estimated at $6 billion, after inspecting the site during a January visit to Yerevan. Luzhkov, who has presided over a post-Soviet construction boom in the Russian capital, expressed his readiness to help attract large-scale Russian investments sought by the Armenian side.

His first deputy, Vladimir Resin, discussed the matter with Yerevan Mayor Gagik Beglarian and other Armenian officials on Wednesday. “We agreed to jointly promote this project,” he told journalists at the Noragyugh neighborhood. “In many ways, it is similar to projects which we have been implementing in Moscow and which will be completed in the next two or three years.”

“Most importantly, we agreed not to allow construction mistakes committed in Moscow to be repeated here and, conversely, to make sure that all the positive things that we have achieved in Moscow are used here,” Resin said.

Resin would not be drawn on what concrete form the Moscow municipality’s support for the project could take or potential amounts of Russian investments. He said things should become clearer after the Armenian side approves an architectural master plan for redeveloping the area.

Beglarian likewise skirted questions about funding for the project and possible dates for its launch. He said only that construction will not get underway until the authorities resettle Noragyugh’s 1,500 or so families in a dozen apartment blocks to be built for them elsewhere in the city.

“We must first have apartments where our residents would love to move in and only then start the redevelopment,” the Yerevan mayor told reporters.

The Armenian capital and especially its center have already undergone considerable redevelopment over the past decade. The process has been marred by forcible expulsions of hundreds of families unhappy with dismal government compensations for their properties.

Some Noragyugh residents are worried that they too may not be properly compensated for their properties. “If I could repair my house, I would not like to move out,” one woman told RFE/RL’s Armenian service. “I don’t know where they want to resettle us.”

But many other locals look forward to the opportunity to swap their mostly decrepit houses for modern apartments. “I’m happy that they are planning to tear down the neighborhood,” one of them said. “We don’t live in normal conditions here.”

[londontsi]

Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

http://hetq.am/en/media/tv-14/

Media Moguls: On the Trail of Armenian TV Owners


Who will come out on top after the upcoming licensing competition

The next stage in the formulation of Armenia’s TV market is reaching its close. During the next few weeks, the main players in the market will become clear and most probably there will be some changes in who owns what TV companies.
Four companies are already gearing-up to cede their licenses.

Clearly, there will be no new company to receive a broadcast license. The TV companies that will emerge victorious in the completion are known, what isn’t yet clear is the final make-up after the dust settles; who will control a majority of shares of this or that company, allowing for control.

Let’s continue with a presentation of who owns the TV companies operating today and a list of potential changes.

AR TV Company”

The founding company is “AR TV, Ltd”. There are three stockholders.
1. Hrant Vardanyan – 68%
2. Silva Alagulyan – 16% (Silva Alagulyan is the wife of Stepan Margaryan, Advisor to former Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan on Javakhk affairs. Current PM Tigran Sargsyan dismissed Stepan Margaryan from his post. The office he held was also shut down)
3. Lyudmila Saharyan – 16% (She is the wife of former Yerevan Deputy Mayor Vardan Vardapetyan)

At one time, 17% of the stock of this company was owned by Meruzhan Ter-Gulanyan, presently Director of “Ararat TV”.

In 2002, he sold his shares to Hrant Vardanyan, President of “Grand Holding” and a member of Armenia’s National Assembly.

At the time of the sale, MP Vardanyan already owned 52% of the company.

Silva Alagulyan and Lyudmila Saharyan do not actively participate in the management of the company. Hrant Vardanyan became a shareholder of “AR” before the parliamentary elections of 2003

At the time, he was listed on the ballot of the ARF. It would appear that it has already been decided that on July 20, this company will not receive a broadcast license.

“Hayrenik TV”

The founder is “Hayrenik TV, Ltd”. The paid-in capital base is 1 million AMD. There are two shareholders:
1. Hrant Vardanyan – 95% (950,000 AMD)
2. Samvel Grigoryan – 5% (50,000 AMD)
It would appear from the distribution of shares that the second shareholder is a formality. Hrant Vardanyan was an MP when the company was founded.

“Armenia 2 TV”

The founding company is “Armenia 2 TV, Ltd”. There are two shareholders.
1. Samvel Mayrapetyan – 50%
2. Natalya Mardinyan – 50%

Samvel Mayrapetyan is a businessman and is known for the construction of elite buildings in downtown Yerevan. Natalya Mardinyan is most likely related to Armen Gevorgyan, RoA Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Territorial Administration.

Armen Gevorgyan and Samvel Mayrapetyan are close friends and, according to press reports, have conducted joint business projects. We asked Deputy PM Gevorgyan to verify whether he was a shareholder in “Armenia 2” or not.

Sometime later, the DPM’s Press Secretary neither confirmed nor denied the allegation, advising us to get verification from the TV company. To date, we haven’t been able to ascertain who Natalya Mardinyan is and her relation to Armen Gevorgyan.

“Armenia 2” is a TV station that adopts a more cautious approach to the news than Armenia’s Public TV. This can be attributed to one of the founders, Samvel Mayrapetyan, a businessman who is cautious as a rule.

There are also rumors floating around that Sedrak Kocharyan, the son former RoA President Robert Kocharyan, has a hand in the running of the TV station.

“A-TV”

The founding company is “A-TV, Ltd”, the former “ArmenAkob” TV company. The former owner, Armen Amiryan, is now the Executive Director of Armenian Public TV.

In 2008, an ownership change occurred. There are two new owners:
1. “Hopar Media, Ltd”. Otari Hakobyan founded and owns the company.
2. Vahe Ghazaryan

The real owner of “Hopar Media” is Artur Janibekyan, chief producer of “Comedy Club Productions”.

He, along with Mikayel Minasyan (the son-in-law of President Serzh Sargsyan) has a stake in the “Jazzve” chain of coffee houses. Artur Janibekyan is regarded as a successful businessman whose net wealth is estimated at $40 million.

There has recently been a spate of press reports that Gerard Cafesjian, one of the stockholders of “Armenia TV” sold his 50% stake in the company. It is said that Mr. Cafesjian’s health has deteriorated of late and that he’s started to sell off his operations in Armenia

Hetq sources indicate that Artur Janibekyan has acquired Cafesjian’s 50% stake. Furthermore, negotiations are said to be underway with Bagrat Sargsyan regarding the obtaining of the supervisory file.

“Hye TV”

The founding company is “Shark Ltd”; founding shareholders Gagik Buniatyan and Arman Sahakyan. The latter is a businessman known to be a friend of Mikayel Minasyan. In the past two years, he has been able to get a foothold in the Armenian media market with the internet sites tert.am and armsport.am (in Armenia’s top ten) and the daily newspaper Kapital. The founding of the TV company is Arman Sahakyan’s latest move in his bid to strengthen his overall media position.

“Century 21” TV

There are four founders of “Century 21” CJSC
1. Naira Aghababyan
2. Ashot Aghababyan
3. Anahit Popovyan
4. Gagik Abrahamyan

The first three are registered at Leninakan Street 16 in Gyumri. They are members of the family of MP Ashot Aghababyan. Naira is the MP’s daughter and Anahit, his wife.

“Kentron TV”

The founder is “Multi Media-Kentron TV”, CJSC. According to press reports, when United Labor Party President Gurgen Arsenyan sold the company it was purchased by MP Murad Gouloyan, an in-law of Gagik Tsarukyan.

Thus, the real owner is Gagik Tsarukyan, who has never denied the news in various interviews. In any case, the stockholders are not known. From a political perspective, a unique role is reserved for Kentron TV.

It was created by the authorities to resolve the problem of “A1+” TV and from that time on “Sharm” began to carry out political orders. However, sometime later, it found itself in an uncertain situation.

“Kentron” was of no use to “Sharm” and it soon sold it off to ULP President Gurgen Arsenyan.

During that period, Kentron showed a certain objectivity and neutrality when it came to news reporting. But all understood that it was done on purpose; to make the case that there was indeed “freedom of speech” in Armenia and that there was an alternative to “A1+”.

Only “Kentron” broadcast pictures of law-enforcement dispersing peaceful protestors on the night of April 12, 2004. Arsenyan had crossed the line and was punished for it.

Twelve days later, on April 24, Gurgen Arsenyan “sold” the company to Murad Gouloyan, a businessman elected to the National Assembly on the Republican Party ballot. In 2007, Gouloyan was reelected to the National Assembly, this time on the Prosperous Armenia Party ballot.

“A.L.M. – Holding” TV

Founded by “A.L.M. – Holding, Ltd. The company’s sole shareholder is Tigran Karapetyan, President of the Armenia’s People’s Party. The businessman from Russia founded the company in 2000 and during election campaigns it basically serves as a mouthpiece for the party. ALM will also lose its license in the upcoming competition.

“Yerevan – Prometevs” TV

The founding company is “Yerevan TV” Ltd. Contrary to other limited companies, there is some information as to shareholders in the state registry. According to the disclosure, the sole shareholder is Varsham Gharibyan.

Varsham (Yura) Gharibyan is a stockholder of the “Shant” company. He is also president of “Elite Shant” and one of the stakeholders in the “Shant” restaurant complex. Varsham Gharibyan enjoys the backing of Chief Prosecutor Aghvan Hovsepyan. When Varsham had a falling out with his brother Manvel, Chief Prosecutor Hovsepyan, according to press reports, openly backed Varsham. This TV company will also not receive a license in the competition.

“Shant TV”

“Shant Ltd” was founded by Artur Yezekyan in 1994 in Gyumri. Paid-in capital at the time of founding was 203,320, 900 AMD. There are two shareholders:
1. Artur Yezekyan – 52%
2. Minas Armen – 48%)

Armen Minas is an Iranian-Armenian businessman. There are periodic press reports that oligarch Mikayel Baghdasarov has purchased a majority of shares in the company. When asked by Hetq if this was true, Baghdasarov answered, “And why not the New York Times?” Sat one time he said he wasn’t interested in the media business.

During the past week it has become clear that the 48% stake of Minas Armen has been obtained by businessman Samvel Karapetyan, brother of Karen Karapetyan, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Office. However, it seems that he isn’t satisfied with 48% and that negotiations are underway for him to get a controlling stake.

There are other business figures and political players who wish to get into the TV market. Ruben Vardanyan, owner of AmeriaBank and the company Troika Dialogue, wants to get his hands on a TV company.

Today, it is difficult to say just how credible this information is. What is clear is that Ruben Vardanyan aims to expand his business operations in Armenia. Owning a TV station here would definitely help him do just that.

[londontsi]

Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

http://hetq.am/en/ecology/akhtala-7/

American-Armenian Mine Operator Flouts the Law

Large Photograph of Der-Boghosyan with President Serves as Carte Blanche

A large photograph depicting Serop Der-Boghosyan, the American-Armenian owner of the Akhtala Mining and Metallurgical Combine, standing next to President Serzh Sargsyan, was recently affixed to one of the five story buildings in the Sarahart neighborhood of the town located in Lori Marz.
The photo, taken from a banner used during the last presidential campaign, used to hang from the cultural center building owned by Der-Boghosyan in the town square. In Akhtala, residents say that the photo was hung from the apartment building at the behest of Der-Boghosyan, the owner of Metal Prince Ltd. It seems that the photo holds great importance for him and that he feels safer when he flouts the laws of the land because of the photo and what it symbolizes.

Back in September, 2009, Hetq wrote about how the residents of the village of Shamlugh were upset and concerned by the explosions being set off by Metal Prince in an open mine pit in their community. Hetq also reported that the company was operating the mine illegally and that no public hearings had taken place allowing for community input. Village Mayor Lendrush Bezhanyan reported to the press that the mine was using 50 hectares of forest land.

“They have a license but in my capacity as mayor I have not granted them permission to operate the mine for the past year. Serop Der-Boghosyan hasn’t paid any land taxes for the mine site,” Mayor Bezhanyan told Hetq.

We just found out that the open mine has been operating for the past three years and that Metal Prince hasn’t paid any land tax to the municipality in this period. The Shamlugh mayor hid this fact from us when we spoke to him last year.

Nine months after our original article appeared in Hetq, Mayor Lendrush Bezhanyan now says that the Shamlugh Village Council has presented its decision allowing for the three year operation of the mine on municipal land to the Lori Regional Administration. “It will be presented to the government, with the signature of the Regional Governor, for passage. We have done what we were supposed to do.”

According to our reliable sources, Der-Boghosyan was given a license to operate a closed mine, but the advisor to the Prime Minister reserved the right to flout the law and operate an open mine. The forest on the mine site has also been chopped down.

The mayor of Shamlugh couldn’t tell us why he would allow the operation of an open pit mine in his community when the license only allows for a closed mine. For the past three years, Metal Prince has never faced any sanctions for violating the terms of its operating license. No wonder why the large photo affixed to the building in the center of Akhtala is so important.

We should also remind readers that Der-Boghosyan has stubbornly refused to meet his obligations to guarantee the safety of the tailings dams in the communities of Tchotchkan and Metz Ayrum. The Tchotchkan tailings dam lies in a landslide zone and there is a real risk that the toxic materials stored inside will seep into the Debed River.

One year ago a company guard was posted at the site. Today, the site is unmonitored. The tailings dam has no fence around it or warning signs to ward off unsuspecting intruders. Local residents often let their animals graze there.

For the past two years, Der-Boghosyan has been saying his company has stopped operating the tailings dam but reprocessing work has just started up. On June 11 we noticed that in the middle of the tailings dam a few car fulls of dirt had been dumped.

The technical situation at the tailings dam in Metz Ayrum is also pretty poor. During the night, under cover of darkness, tailings are dumped directly into the Debed River.

[Haykakan]

Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

ARMENIAN FM RECEIVED U.S. SPECIAL ENVOY FOR EURASIAN ENERGY

news.am
July 5 2010
Armenia

July 5, RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian received Special Envoy of
the U.S. Secretary of State for Eurasian Energy Richard Morningstar. He
has arrived in Armenia as member of a delegation headed by Secretary
of State Hillary Clinton.

The sides discussed the issues related to economic collaboration and
possible bilateral cooperation in energy sector.

On Sunday evening the delegation headed by Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton arrived in Yerevan. Today the U.S. officials are leaving
for Tbilisi.

[Haykakan]

Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

GEORGIAN PARLIAMENTARIANS APPROVE RUSSIA-ARMENIA PIPELINE S SALE

TendersInfo
July 8, 2010 Thursday

Georgian authorities intend to permit the sale of a main gas pipeline
which supplies fuel from Russia to Armenia via Georgia. Georgian
parliamentarians mostly voted for the law, which envisages that the
pipeline isn t a strategic facility of the country, Russian media
reported citing Civil Georgia.

Reportedly, the law has been initiated earlier by head of the
Parliamentary Legislative Committee, a ruling party s member Pavel
Koublashvili. He pointed at the common arguments and said that the
private sector manages better that the state-run bodies and neither
facility can be an exception in this matter. However, he didn t give
any concrete and detailed information when was asked who can buy the
pipeline. He said that the issue will be debated in the future.

On July 3, Georgia s Prime Minister Nika Gilauri made a stand against
loss of state control over the magistral pipeline which passes
via Georgia and links Russia and Armenia. He said that issue of
privatization can be debated in 4-5 years, and privatization shouldn
t exceed 10%.

Despite Gilauri s arguments, the bill was sent to Parliament and
was approved in the first hearing. It s worth mentioning that the
ruling presidential party of United National Movement has most seats
at parliament.

Georgian opposition has criticized position of the parliamentary
majority. They said that country s authorities actually agreed to
give the pipeline to Russia (which is perceived by oppositionists
as the most likely buyer). Opposition points at danger of a step of
such kind and says that this will pose a danger to energy projects
of Georgia itself. This will also let Russia use the pipeline as an
instrument of political pressure, according to opposition.

Reportedly, Russia holds 75% of share certificates of the Tbilisi
Energy Network. Georgian opposition voices concerns that Russia will
buy this pipeline. Georgia receives 10% of gas which passes via its
territory and doesn t receive gas through the mentioned pipeline.

[ninetoyadome]

Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

didnt know where to post this

Futuristic Eco-Skyscraper is a Self-Sufficient Solar Spire


While it looks a bit like something that Queen Amidala might wear on her head, this incredible tower is actually a concept for a multi-use skyscraper for the city of Yerevan in Armenia. Designed by Vahan Misakyan, the insect-like building consists of “structural geodesics” that link up via habitable bridges. Another interesting feature is that the tower will be clad in an “intelligent” skin equipped with rain water collection systems, photovoltaic cells, and wind turbines.



The tower is based on geodesics — soft transitions between the vertical and horizontal planes that peel off from the ground and transform into habitable areas. One of these peels will house a transportation hub and another a park. The towers will have areas for offices, residences, and a hotel, and the bridges between them will be accessible to the public as places to gather and play.

The building will also be equipped with an “intelligent” skin capable of controlling the amount of daylight and ventilation that permeates the structure. The skin will also feature rain water collection systems, photovoltaic cladding and wind turbines.

+ Vahan Misakyan

http://inhabitat.com/2010/07/15/futuristic-eco-skyscraper-is-a-self-sufficient-solar-spire/

this the gallery with more pics

http://inhabitat.com/2010/07/15/futuristic-eco-skyscraper-is-a-self-sufficient-solar-spire/vahan-misakyans-structural-geodesics/