Month: December 2008

DISCUSSION ON SUBJECT "THE POSSIBILITIES AND MECHANISMS OF FINANCING ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS" HELD IN YEREVAN

Noyan Tapan

Dec 12, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. A discussion on the subject
"The Possibilities and Mechanisms of Financing Energy Efficiency
Programs" with the participation of representatives of banks, credit
organizations, and small and medium enterprises was held in Yerevan on
December 12 within the framework of the USAID-funded Commercialization
of Energy Efficiency Program.

The program director Hovhannes Kantuni said that the purpose of the
discussion is to offer such instruments and mechanisms of financing
energy efficiency programs under conditions of the global financial
crisis that will be attractive both for banks and small and medium
enterprises.

According to H. Kantuni, their program was launched in May 2007 and
is aimed at encouraging the use of energy efficient technologies in
industrial, housing, commercial, private and state sectors, as well as
at implementing, with partial finding of the USAID, a limited number
of energy efficiency programs, in particular, programs on restoration
of heating systems, at various institutions of social importance.

EXHIBITION OF ARMENIAN GOODS HELD IN ALEPPO ON DECEMBER 2-9

Noyan Tapan

Dec 12, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. An exhibition of Armenian goods was
organized in Aleppo on December 2-9 on the initiative of the Chamber
of Commerce and Industry of Armenia (CCI). Products of more than 30
Armenian companies, including alcoholic and soft drinks, foodstuffs,
production of light industry and publishing sector, medicines, and
high technologies were displayed at the exhibition.

The chairman of CCI, member of the RA National Assembly Martin Sargsyan
said at the December 12 press conference that the exhibition aroused
great interest in Aleppo, with over 20 thousand people visiting
it. About 90% of goods presented at the exhibition were consumed,
and Syrians made sure once again that the Armenian products are not
inferior to those produced by companies of other countries.

M. Sargsyan announced that cooperation agreements have been signed
among Armenian and Syrian businessmen. In particular, it is envisaged
exporting products of such companies as Maran, Ashtarak Kat, Atenk,
Jermuk Group and the Artashat Cannery to Syria, and an agreement has
been reached with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Aleppo to
open a permanent show-room of Armenian goods there.

In the words of M. Sargsyan, the products of Elektrasark (Electric
Appliance) company caused considerable interest in Syria. Negotiations
are now being conducted with a big Syrian company on export of
Elekrasark’s products to Syria. Under an agreement reached with
Dominant company, it is planned to establish production of clay tiles
in Syria. It was mentioned that by late 2008 an experimental sample
of carbide made by Vanadzor-Chimprom will be delived to Syria and
an export agreement will be signed. Negotiations have also begun on
export of generators and transformers of Armelectromachine company.

The chairman of the CCI of Armenia said that it is envisaged holding
a show of Armenian books in Syria in March 2009, and an exhibition
of Syrian goods will take place in Yerevan in June.

TRADE TURNOVER BETWEEN ARMENIA AND SYRIA AMOUNTS TO ABOUT 3 MILLION DOLLARS IN 2008

Noyan Tapan

Dec 12, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. The trade turnover between Armenia
and Syria amounted to about 3 million USD this year, including
imports of 2 million 250 thousand USD. The chairman of the Chamber
of Commerce and Industry of Armenia (CCI), National Assembly deputy
Martin Sargsyan said at the December 12 press conference that work
is currently being done to increase exports of Armenian products not
only to Syria, but also to other countries.

The deputy head of the Commission of Armenian-Syrian Economic
Relations, deputy chairman of CCI Aram Vardanian announced that an
agreement on construction of solar power stations in Suria was reached
during the exhibition of Armenian goods held in Aleppo on December
2-9. According to him, in 2009, three centralized solar water heaters
and three solar modules will be put on one of the newly-constructed
buildings in Aleppo which will ensure the hot water supply in that
building and the power supply of its elevators.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NO CHANGES ENVISAGED IN INVESTMENT PROGRAMS TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN SOUTH CAUCASUS RAILWAYS

Noyan Tapan

Dec 12, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. Although the financial crisis has
had an impact on the operation of the Russian railway, no changes,
including staff reduction, are envisaged in the investment programs to
be implemented in South Caucasus Railways company. The deputy chairman
of Russian Railways company Georgy Kornilov said this at the December
12 meeting with the RA minister of transport and communication Gurgen
Sargsyan.

G. Sargsyan informed G. Kornilov and the newly-appointed director of
South Caucasus Railways Shevket Shaydulin that a new unit is being
created in the ministry. This unit will implement monitoring and
control the investment making process.

MOBILE INTERNET-COMPUTER STATION TO BE PUT INTO OPERATION ONE OF THESE DAYS

Noyan Tapan

Dec 12, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. A Mobile Internet-Computer Center
will be put into operation one of these days with a course of studies
organized for pupils and teachers of Anipemza village school, Shirak
region. The Mobile Internet-Computer Center has been created at the
National Center for Education Technologies. As it was stated at the
station’s presentation ceremony, the station-classroom will give a
possibility to organize courses of studies on Informatics subject
in line with subject’s state curriculum at remote populated areas’
schools having insufficient number of computers and not having
Internet connection.

The Mobile Internet-Computer Center is a computer classroom having
an Internet satellite antenna and including seven mobile computers
united in a local network and connected to Internet and other items
(printer, scanner).

One computer is for a teacher and the other for students. The
classroom also has a big screen repeating the picture on the monitor
of teacher’s computer.

Besides, the station-classroom has an emergency and electric feed
source, air conditioning and heating regulation, fire alarm, antitheft
devices.

The Mobile Internet-Computer Center has been created within the
framework of the program under the title Internet Network Maintenance
and Computer Items Preservation financed by the 2008 state budget. By
the order of the National Center for Education Technologies station’s
assembling was done by the Meditek LTD.

U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT ALLOCATES 90 THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF PROGRAM ON FIGHTING TRAFFICKING IN ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan

Dec 12, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. The U.S. State Department Bureau
on Fighting Narcobusiness and Law Enforcement Cooperation allocated
a grant of 90 thousand dollars to the United Methodist Committee
on Relief (UMCOR) Armenian Office for the implementation of the
program under the title Strengthening of Law Enforcement Bodies’
Fighting Trafficking. Program’s goal is to expand the abilities of
Armenia’s Police Investigation Department employees in the issue of
disclosure of trafficking cases and working with people who suffered
from trafficking in line with international norms.

U.S. Ambassador to RA Marie Yovanovitch handed the grant on December 8.

According to her, it is terrible that at present trafficking develops
all over the world. "It is a crime that can knock at the door of each
of us one day: your daughter can be taken for sexual exploitation
with the offer of a good job. Each of us should do his best to put
an end to the slavery of our days," the Ambassador said.

Taking into consideration the circumstance that it is women who mainly
suffer from trafficking, M. Yovanovitch attached importance to the
16-day world agitation campaign against gender violence initiated by
UN. It started on November 25, the International Day of Liquidation
of Violence against Women, and ended on December 10, the Human Rights
International Day.

Within the framework of the program UMCOR will organize courses of
studies for 50 employees of RA Police Investigation Department central
and regional subdivisions on identification of people who suffered
from trafficking and investigation methods of cases on trafficking.

ARMENIAN DRIED FRUIT AND VEGETABLES IN GREAT DEMAND IN EUROPE

Noyan Tapan

Dec 12, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. Chir company produced 500 tons
of dried fruit and vegetables this year, with 20% of its production
being exported to European countries. The production of dried fruits:
plums, apricots, peaches has grown by 20% as compared with last year,
and most of these products were sold in the domestic market, while the
dried vegetables and spices have been mainly exported, NT correspondent
was informed by Sandro Abovian, the chairman of the Assosiation of
Dried Foodstuff Producers, a Candidate of Technical Sciences.

He said that dried tomato is in especially great demand in
international market. However, because of prices it is not profitable
for the company to produce large number of dried tomatoes, and
this year the company had reduced the purchase of tomatoes and the
production of dried tomatoes due to the appreciation of the Armenian
dram. At the same time, it was mentioned that the company has reached
an agreement with foreign partners on establishing a new price of dried
tomato. Besides, dried egg-plants and red peppers will be exported.

The number of companies engaged in the production of dried fruit and
vegetables has increased in the country in recent years, and local
producers have reached great success in this sector. According to
S. Abovian, the sector is considered one of the most promising branches
of Armenian agriculture, while market relations presuppose production
of a large number of dried foodstuffs in line with international
qualitative indices. With this aim, as S. Abovian pointed out, state
assistance is needed in the provision of loans at low interest rates.

In his words, this sector started developing in Armenia in the
1990s. There are more than 220 solar drying houses in 9 Armenian
marzes. 500-1,200 tons of dried fruit and vegetables is produced by
using various methods in Armenia annually, which is enough for only
a small part of the population for consumption.

ARMENIA’S PARLIAMENT DELEGATION TO VISIT CHINA

armradio.am
13.12.2008 12:26

At the invitation of the U Bango, Chairman of the Standing Committee
of the All-China Assembly of People’s Representatives of the People’s
Republic of China, the President of Parliament of the national Assembly
of Armenia, Hovik Abrahamyan, will leave for Beijing on December 14
for an official visit.

The delegation comprises Gagik Minasyan, Samvel Nikoyan, Gagik
Abrahamyan, Alexan Petrosyan, Martis Sargsyan and Tachat Vardapetyan
from the Republican Party of Armenia, Naira Zohrabyan and Murad
Galoyan from the Prosperous Armenia Party, Araik Grigoryan and Ara
Nranyan from ARF Dashnaktsutyun, Khachik Harutyunyan from Orinats
Yerkir Party and Vardan Khachatryan from the Heritage Party.

Within the framework of the visit the Armenian delegation is expected
to meet with the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the All-China
Assembly of People’s Representatives U Bango, Vice-President of China
Li Xinhua and Deputy Prime Minister Li Keqiang.

The delegation will return to Yerevan on December 19.

OSCE SECRETARY GENERAL TO ARRIVE IN ARMENIA DECEMBER 14

armradio.am
13.12.2008 12:37

The delegation headed by OSCE Secretary General Marc Perrin de
Brichambaut will visit Armenia December 14-17, Press and Information
Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported.

Within the framework of the visit the OSCE Secretary General will
have meetings with the President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, the
Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Garegin II, Prime Minister
Tigran Sargsyan, Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, Secretary of the
National Security Council Arthur Baghdasaryan and heads of political
factions of the National Assembly.

MINISTER NALBANDIAN MEETS EU MIGRATION MISSION TO ARMENIA

armradio.am
13.12.2008 12:55

On December 12 the Foreign Minister of Armenia, Edward Nalbandian,
received the EU Migration Mission headed by representative of the
French presidency Jean-Christophe Peaucelle and representative of
the European Commission Francisco Bataller.

Greeting the members of the delegation, Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian positively assessed their visit to Armenia and the
deepening of the dialogue and cooperation between Armenia and the
European Union on migration issues.

The Armenian Foreign Minister attached particular importance to the
issue of simplification of issuing entry visas, envisaged within the
framework of the Eastern Partnership.

The guests noted that this was their first mission to the region,
aimed at developing cooperation through exchange of information and
experience, reinforcing the existing mechanisms and creating new
bases for partnership.