Armenia's Economic Pulse

[Haykakan]

Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

"The wording is a little confusing. The article is discussing how Quarterly GDP Growth in Q1 2014 in expected to be 2.4% this year compared to 7.5% last year."
GDP levels in any particular year do not mean much. What does mean a lot is what the GDP of a nation looks like over time(many years). This is where many countries go wrong by focusing on the short run vs the long run.

[Haykakan]

Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

ARMENIA PLANS MAJOR POLITICAL DEAL WITH EU: PRIME MINISTER

March 21, 2014 - 13:02 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia plans to ink a major political agreement
with the European Union, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said during
the Radio Liberty Armenian Service broadcast.

As the official noted, "we're working with our European partners
on a new line of cooperation. We're happy that our European friends
understand Armenia's stance and the logic of decision-making."

According to Sargsyan, the new deal will include clauses agreed on
during previous negotiations.

As he also noted, in the capacity of the Customs Union member,
Yerevan will expect cuts in customs duties within 7 years.

"The European Union Advisory Group to Armenia will terminate its
activity in late 2014, with the EU continuing assistance to the
republic in the sectors of close cooperation," As the head of the EU
delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Traian Hristea said in early 2014.

The EU Advisory Group was formed in 2008 to assist Armenia in advancing
the implementation of the European Neighborhood Policy Action Plan.

As Hristea noted at the sitting of the Advisory Group, the work
conducted in Armenia was effective, with progress in a number of
sectors noted.

National Security Council Secretary Artur Baghdasaryan, in turn,
welcomed the ongoing cooperation, with a number of reforms and joint
programs testifying to its success.

Deputy parliament speaker Eduard Sharmazanov further noted the EU
to be among Yerevan's key partners, expressing readiness to continue
democracy-promoting reforms to the benefit of Armenian society.

He further listed political and legal reforms, the visa facilitation
and readmission agreements among achievements of the Armenia-EU
partnership.

According to the Q4 2013 report, the Advisory Group provided
consultations on rule of law, migration, democratic governance,
anti-trafficking, protection of witnesses, introduction of probation
service in Armenia as well as anti-corruption measures.

Also, a concept on organization of visits and creation of an
information center at the National Assembly were accomplished with
the involvement of the Advisory Group.

In 2014, the Group will work to implement further reforms and
strategic programs. Armenia completed technical talks on a 'deep and
comprehensive free-trade agreement' (DCFTA) with the EU in July 2013
and it was set to be signed at a summit with the EU in late November.

In addition to a free-trade deal, Armenia has been working towards
the signing of an association agreement with the EU, a framework
agreement on co-operation that is seen as a first step towards
political integration with the EU.

During a Sept 3 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin,
Armenian leader Serzh Sargsyan said Armenia is ready to join Customs
Union, with further plans to be involved in formation of the Eurasian
Economic Union. Mr. Putin supported the initiative, vowing procedural
assistance to Armenia.

A draft resolution on Armenia's accession to the Customs Union and
unified economic zone was approved at the Minsk-hosted Supreme Eurasian
Economic Council meeting Dec 24. On Jan 23, Armenian government has
approved the list of measures for joining the Customs Union.

"Armenia implemented almost half of the activities envisaged by the
Customs Union accession roadmap," Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan
said earlier.

http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/177102/

[Eddo211]

Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

lol, like I said......even though we jumped on the CU train doesn't mean we are not still playing the EU game.
We have always been good playing both sides and the sides understand our predicaments and don't really hold it against us, so negotiations continue.

[Mher]

Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

A summary of the effects of the 2008 global crash on the Armenian economy that reversed much of the astronomical development of the prior years

http://www.imf.org/external/country/ARM/rr/2009/090909.pdf

[Haykakan]

Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

AN TO LAUNCH RAILROAD BETWEEN AZERBAIJAN, ARMENIA

13:01 * 25.03.14

Iran is said to be mulling plans for launching a transit railroad
between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Akber Turkan, a coordinator for the Iranian Free Zones and Special
Economic Areas, has described the idea as an opportunity to use the
regional transit potentials.

"If the railway opens, development will gain an essential speed in the
three countries' border areas, as well as in the entire region. The
Armenian-Azerbaijani war [over Nagorno-Karabakh] has essentially impact
on the economic development of Jugha. The railroad between Azerbaijan
and Armenia has serious potentials as a corridor to the Black Sea,
Russia and Europe," he was quoted as saying.

Mr Turkan added that the Islamic Republic considers a political
solution to regional conflicts absolutely possivle. "Smoothing over
the disagreements between countries will contribute to the entire
region's development," he said.

http://www.tert.am/en/news/2014/03/25/iran-azer-arm/

[Mher]

Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

AN TO LAUNCH RAILROAD BETWEEN AZERBAIJAN, ARMENIA

13:01 * 25.03.14

Iran is said to be mulling plans for launching a transit railroad
between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Akber Turkan, a coordinator for the Iranian Free Zones and Special
Economic Areas, has described the idea as an opportunity to use the
regional transit potentials.

"If the railway opens, development will gain an essential speed in the
three countries' border areas, as well as in the entire region. The
Armenian-Azerbaijani war [over Nagorno-Karabakh] has essentially impact
on the economic development of Jugha. The railroad between Azerbaijan
and Armenia has serious potentials as a corridor to the Black Sea,
Russia and Europe," he was quoted as saying.

Mr Turkan added that the Islamic Republic considers a political
solution to regional conflicts absolutely possivle. "Smoothing over
the disagreements between countries will contribute to the entire
region's development," he said.

http://www.tert.am/en/news/2014/03/25/iran-azer-arm/

I believe this is talking about the Armenian railroad to Iran, which goes through Nakhichevan, which has been shut down since the war. I highly down baboonestan would go for this.

[Haykakan]

Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

GOVERNMENT REAFFIRMS EXTENSION OF SERVICE LIFE OF ARMENIAN NUCLEAR POWER PLANT BY 10 YEARS

YEREVAN, March 27. / ARKA /. Armenian energy and natural resources
minister Armen Movsisyan has denied today media reports alleging
that the government had given up plans to build a new nuclear power
plant to replace the aging Metsamor facility, but acknowledged that
the construction of the new plant is being delayed because 'of the
global economic crisis and some geopolitical developments" which did
not allow the government to secure sufficient funding for the project.

In 2012 the Armenian government decided to extend the service life
of the nuclear power plant in Metsamor by another ten years. Today
the government has reaffirmed that decision.

The minister said today that all this in mind the government is
going to step up all its efforts to improve the safety of the nuclear
facility. At the same time, according to the minister, the government
will intensify the work for construction of a new unit.

The government has instructed today the ministry of finance to take
all steps necessary for the signing of an intergovernmental loan
agreement with Russia to raise funds to finance the project

The Metsamor plant located some 30 kilometers west of Yerevan, was
built in the 1970s but was closed following a devastating earthquake
in 1988 that killed some 25,000 people and devastated much of northern
Armenia.

One of the plant's two VVER 440-V230 light-water reactors was
reactivated in 1995.

Armenian authorities say the new plant is supposed to operate at twice
the capacity of the Soviet-constructed facility. Metsamor currently
generates some 40 percent of Armenia's electricity. But the government
has yet to attract funding for the project that was estimated as much
as $5 billion.

After September 3 talks with Armenian president Serhz Sargsyan
Russian president Vladimir Putin said experts from Russian state
nuclear company Rosatom and Armenian experts agreed to extend the
service life of the Armenian nuclear power plant until 2026.

In February 2013 Armen Movsisyan said the new nuclear power unit is
planned to be built in 2019-2020. -0-

- See more at:

http://arka.am/en/news/economy/government_reaffirms_extension_of_service_life_of_armenian_nuclear_power_plant_for_10_years/#sthash.iBcrBqL5.dpuf

[Mher]

Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

GOVERNMENT REAFFIRMS EXTENSION OF SERVICE LIFE OF ARMENIAN NUCLEAR POWER PLANT BY 10 YEARS

Good news, as far as a temporary solutions go. The recession set our nation back a solid decade, maybe more. I don't think there was nation on earth more hard hit by Armenia. Hopefully the new power plant does indeed get built. If a nation as advanced and high demand as France can get 40% of its complete energy needs from Nuclear, there's no reason a small low demand nation like Armenia couldn't either.

[Haykakan]

Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

ONCE A SOVIET HUB, ARMENIA LOOKS TO REVIVE ITS TECH SECTOR

Agence France Presse
April 1, 2014 Tuesday 3:37 AM GMT

: YEREVAN, April 01 2014

Once seen as a silicon valley of the Soviet Union, the tiny Caucasus
nation of Armenia is hoping the launch of its first tablet computer and
smartphone could kickstart a comeback for the country's tech sector.

Designed -- and soon set to be constructed -- in Armenia, the ArmPhone
and ArmTab devices are seen as a key steppingstone as the landlocked
state seeks to overcome crippling trade blockades from its neighbours
to become an unlikely industry hub.

"The high-tech sector in Armenia already has a long existence and now
we need to take it back to an international level," Vahan Chakarian,
president of the joint Armenian-US company Minno behind project,
told AFP.

"By building an Armenian tablet computer we'll create a brand that will
make Armenia more recognisable on the world market," Chakarian said.

Compared to major international brands funding and production targets
for the start-up are modest. The firm is spending some $6.5 million
over its first three years and aims to get manufacturing levels up
to some 100,000 items annually.

While the devices are designed by Armenian experts, up till now
production has been taking place in Hong Kong and the US. But those
behind the project hope that will change soon.

"We've been spending a lot of funds sending our Armenian specialists to
China to conduct quality tests where the tablets were being assembled,"
Chakarian said.

"Given the engineering capabilities in Armenia we plan in the near
future that all the work on the exterior and motherboard design and
software implementation will take place exclusively in Armenia."

The company already has a contract with Armenia's education ministry to
supply all first graders in the country with a tablet computer by 2015.

-Strong heritage, unfriendly neighbours-

For many the resurgence of the high-tech sector in Armenia comes as
no surprise. From computer systems in space ships to the electronics
in submarines, Armenia was at the heart of the USSR technology sector.

"One third of military electronics was designed and produced in
Armenia and there were several hundred thousand specialists worked
on developing and manufacturing computer technology," says Karen
Vardanyan, executive director at the Union of Information Technology
Enterprises in Yerevan.

Armenia though faces considerable challenges if it is to compete on
the international level.

Festering disputes with its two neighbours Turkey and Azerbaijan --
including over the disputed territory of Nagorny Karabakh -- mean
that much of its borders are sealed off.

Those in the IT sector remain bullish about the prospects for
development and point to steady growth rates of over 20 percent
despite Armenia's flagging overall economic performance.

"Our predictions show that by 2018 the IT sphere will become the
dominant sector in the country's economy and will bring in around $1
billion," said Vardanyan.

-Huge intellectual potential-

Some 500 tech firms are now working in the country and international
giants such as Microsoft have started getting involved.

"Our main task today is to maintain the current growth rates, increase
the number of specialists and then make sure they have well paid work
to stop them being attracted abroad," Vardanyan said.

For its part Armenia's government has thrown its weight behind the
industry by making it a priority economic sector and pledging that
more help is on the way.

"At this stage we have accumulated a huge potential for development,
but to move forward, we need to think and take new measures to help
new companies compete," Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian said at a
recent unveiling ceremony for the ArmTab and ArmPhone.

"Now the government is preparing amendments to the legislation that
will mitigate tax conditions for Start-up companies," Sarkisian said.

Despite the challenges, all this leaves those at the forefront sector
optimistic for the future.

"In Armenia there is a huge intellectual potential and favourable
legislation that can help develop this sphere," says tablet producer
Chakharian.

"I am sure that in the next three to five years Armenia will become
famous for its IT production and the ArmTab and ArmPhone will be the
start of this."

[Mher]

Re: Armenia's Economic Pulse

Serzh Sargsyan to pay official visit to Turkmenistan

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan will go on an official visit to Turkmenistan today, the presidential press service reported.

Serzh Sargsyan will meet with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, after which the official delegations of the two countries will meet in enlarged format.

Bilateral documents on development of cooperation in a number of areas will be signed. The Presidents of Armenia and Turkmenistan will make a joint press statement following their meeting.

On April 9, President Serzh Sargsyan will leave for the city of Turkmenbashi where along with Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow he will attend a concert of Armenian and Turkmen cultural figures.

Also, an Armenian-Turkmen business forum will be held in Ashgabat during the days of Serzh Sargsyan’s visit.

http://www.panorama.am/en/politics/2014/04/07/president/

__________________________________________________ ___________________________________________
Turkmenistan, Armenia plan to sign several bilateral documents

http://en.trend.az/regions/casia/turkmenistan/2259597.html