Author: admin

EXPORTS FROM ARMENIA GROW BY 18.6%, IMPORTS INTO COUNTRY – BY 46.2% IN JANUARY-OCTOBER 2007 ON SAME PERIOD OF 2006

Noyan Tapan
Dec 14, 2007

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 14, NOYAN TAPAN. The foreign trade of Armenia made 1
trillion 201.3 billion drams or 3 bln 458.1 mln USD (in current prices)
in January-October 2007, including exports of 326.3 bln drams or 939.4
mln USD and imports of 875 bln drams or 2 bln 518.7 mln USD. The
foreign trade balance was negative by 548.8 bln drams (1 bln 579.4
mln USD), the balance without cargos received as humanitarian aid
was negative by 527.4 bln drams (1 bln 518.8 mln USD).

According to the RA National Statistical Service, exports grew by
18.6%, imports – by 46.2% in January-October 2007 on the same period
of last year.

Exports from Armenia to CIS countries made 282 mln 885.3 thousand USD
in January-October 2007, growing by 72.1% on the same period of 2006,
while imports amounted to 705 mln 448.5 thousand USD, growing by 56.5%.

Exports to Russia made 158 mln 171 thousand USD in the first ten
months of 2007 (69.2% growth), imports from Russia made 441 mln
594.5 thousand USD (55.9% growth). Exports to Georgia made 71 mln
543 thousand USD (62.2% growth), imports – 98 mln 910.9 thousand USD
(72.4% growh). Exports to Ukraine amounted to 36 mln 951.7 thousand USD
(120.7% growth), imports from Ukraine – to 140 mln 991.8 thousand USD
(54.3% growth).

Exports to EU countries made 460 mln 480 thousand USD in
January-October 2007, increasing by 17.3% on the same period of last
year, while imports from EU countries made 767 mln 367.2 thousand USD,
growing by 39.8%.

Exports to Belgium made 82 mln 821.9 thousand USD (11.9% decline),
imports – 134 mln 339.1 thousand USD (4.8% growth). Exports to Bulgaria
made 32 mln 357.6 thousand USD (13,207.3% growth), imports – 22 mln
950.6 thousand USD (44.7% grwoth). Exports to Germany – 138 mln 779
thousand USD (8.2% growth), imports – 86 mln 447.8 thousand USD (28.7%
growth). Exports to France made 7 mln 261.5 thousand USD (118.6%
growth), imports – 54 mln 498.9 thousand USD (87.9% growth). Exports
to Greece – 2 mln 497.3 thousand USD (303% growth), imports – 54 mln
547.1 thousand USD (7.9% decline).

Goods of 25 mln 892.1 thousand USD were exported from Armenia to Italy
in January-October 2007 (7.9% growth), while imports made 76 mln 356
thousand USD (18.7% growth). Exports to the Netherlands made 128 mln
614.5 thousand USD (25.5% growh), imports – 29 mln 257.2 thousand USD
(59% growth).

In the indicated period, exports to Great Britain amounted to 1 mln
685.9 thousand USD (62% decline), imports – to 101 mln 369.8 thousand
USD (53% growth). Exports to Spain made 15 mln 413.6 thousand USD
(12% decline), imports – 10 mln 360.9 thousand USD (78.9% growth).

Exports to other countries (besides CIS and EU countries) made 195
mln 991.6 thousand USD (16.7% decline), imports – 1 bln 45 mln 895.6
thousand USD (44.6% growth) in January-October 2007, including exports
to Israel – 19 mln 205.2 thousand USD (72.5% decilne), imports – 30
mln 824.3 thousand USD (58.5% decline); exports to the U.S. – 40 mln
209.9 thousand USD (22.1% decline), imports – 169 mln 130.8 thousand
USD (53.3% growth); exports to the UAE – 5 mln 646.2 thousand USD
(34.2% growth), imports – 238 mln 624.1 thousand USD (130.1% growth);
exports to Iran – 32 mln 382.7 thousand USD (28.2% growth), imports –
107 mln 822.8 thousand USD (5.7% growth); exports to Turkey – 2 mln
413.3 thousand USD (38.3% growth), imports – 94 mln 247.1 thousand USD
(42.6% growth); exports to Switzerland – 45 mln 768.8 thousand USD
(15.1% decline), imports – 63 mln 436.8 thousand USD (6.2% decline);
exports to China – 5 mln 702.4 thousand USD (1,139.7% growth),
imports – 61 mln 394.4 thousand USD (42.4% growth).

No goods were exported to Armenia to Panama in January-October 2007,
while imports from this country made 75 mln 905.4 thousand USD
(19.3% growth).

December 15, 2007

Wikipedia Competitor Being Tested by Google
By _MIGUEL HELFT_
( mestopics/people/h/miguel_helft/index.html?inline= 3Dnyt-per)

SAN FRANCISCO – _Google_
( ess/companies/google_inc/index.html?inline=3Dnyt-o rg) is testing a new Web service
intended to become a repository of knowledge from experts on various topics, one
that could turn into a competitor to _Wikipedia_
( siness/companies/wikipedia/index.html?inline=3Dnyt -org) and other sites.
If it attracts a following, the service could accelerate Google’s
transformation from a search engine into a company that helps create and publish Web
content. Some critics said that shift could compromise Google’s objectivity in
presenting search results.
The service, called Knol, which is short for knowledge, would allow people to
create Web pages on any topic. It is designed to include features that
permit readers to submit comments, rate pages and suggest changes. However, unlike
Wikipedia, which allows anyone to edit an entry, only the author of a =80=9Cknol,’
as the pages in the service would be called, would be allowed to edit.
Different authors could have competing pages on the same topic.
Google said that a main idea behind the project was to bring attention to
authors who have expertise on a particular topic.
`Somehow the Web evolved without a strong standard to keep authors’ names
highlighted,’ Udi Manber, vice president for engineering at Google,wrote in an
announcement of the test Thursday evening on a Google corporate blog. =80=9CWe
believe that knowing who wrote what will significantly help users make better
use of Web content.’
Mr. Manber said the goal of Knol was to cover all topics, from science to
medicine to history, and for the articles to become `the first thing someone who
searches for this topic for the first time will want to read.’
That is often the role played by Wikipedia pages, which frequently turn up at
or near the top of results presented by Google and other search engines.
`I think Google is looking at the growth of sites like Wikipedia, that
aggregate knowledge, and feels it has to play in that space,’ said Danny Sullivan,
a search expert and editor of the Web site Search Engine Land.
Several other services have taken different approaches in their efforts to
become repositories of knowledge on various topics. They include _Yahoo_
( ss/companies/yahoo_inc/index.html?inline=3Dny
t-or g) Answers, Squidoo, Mahalo and _About.com_
( ce/timestopics/organizations/a/about_inc/index.htm l?inline=3Dnyt-org)
, which is owned by The New York Times Company.
Despite the existence of these services, as well as countless free tools for
experts and ordinary people alike to share what they know online, Mr. Manber
said Google thought many people who possessed useful knowledge did not
publish it `because it is not easy enough to do that.’
Google declined to make Mr. Manber or anyone else available to discuss Knol,
saying the project was an experiment that like many Google tests, might never
be opened to the public.
While many technology analysts and bloggers noted that Knol appeared to be a
direct competitor to Wikipedia, _Jimmy Wales_
( mestopics/people/w/jimmy_wales/index.html?inline=3 Dnyt-per) , that
site’s founder, shrugged off the potential challenge.
Mr. Wales said that Google’s service would encourage competing, opinionated
articles on any topic, whereas Wikipedia strived for objectivity and had a
single article per topic that represented the collective knowledge of its
authors.
`I’m looking forward to seeing what it ends up looking like,’ Mr. Wales
said.
Knol and Wikipedia would be different in other ways. While Wikipedia is a
not-for-profit and ad-free endeavor, Knol has a more commercial bent: Authors
could choose to have Google place ads on their pages and would get part of the
revenue.
`At some point, Google crosses the line, where they are not only a search
engine, but also a content provider,’ Mr. Sullivan said. Technically speaking,
he said, authors, not Google, would create Knol pages. `But it matters how it
appears,’ he said. `I do a search on Google, I go to some place that Google
hosts and I also find Google ads.’
What’s more, Mr. Sullivan said, Google’s goal of making Knol pages easy to
find on search engines could conflict with its need to remain unbiased. Google
already carries content generated by users in a variety of services,
including YouTube, the photo storage site Picasa and Blogger.

Copyright 2007 The New York Times Company ()

Armeconombank to get syndicated credit from the pool of international
banks

2007-12-14 17:45:00

ArmInfo. Today Armeconombank signed a contract with European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development [EBRD] on getting a syndicated credit
$15 mln from the syndicate of foreign banks.

As chairman of Armeconombank board David Sukiasyan told journalists,
this is an unprecedented event in the history of Armenian bank system,
since six biggest world banks are taking part in giving of the
syndicated credit: EBRD, German Commerzbank AG, Austrian – Raiffeizen
Zentralbank Osterreich AG and Bank Austria Greditanstalt AG, Indian
State Bank of India, Land Bank of Taiwan and English FBN Bank(UK)
Limited. Sukiasyan also added that the syndicated credit consists of
the two parts. In particular, the EBRD will allocate $5 mln for 36
months, and all the rest banks – $10 mln, $5 mln for 18 months with an
opportunity to extend the term for another 18 months; the rest $5 mln
for 12 months again with an opportunity of extension for another 12
months. Armeconombank expects to get the credits by the end of next
week.

Sukiasyan also said that the given sums will be directed to crediting
of the small and medium-sized business. The bank will give credits for
2-3 years, in some cases for 5 years. Maximal size of one credit will
be $400 thsd with 14-16% per cent per annum.

For his part, head of the EBRD office in Armenia Michael Weinstein said
that the given syndicated crediting is a symbolic transaction for
Armenia since it is evidence of raising of interest of foreign banks to
Armenian economy. "I think we are on the way of increasing foreign
investments inflow to Armenia", – he said.

Member of Central Bank Council Vardan Movsesyan said that the CB thinks
this event is of great significance as it is evidence of the fact that
the banking system of Armenia in the person of Armeconombank is
actively reaching the foreign level by means of integration in the
world banking system. ‘This credit is evidence of the fact that our
banking system may be considered established. Armeconombank has an
authority of a good stable partner and new prospects for business
contacts are opening for the bank’, – he concluded.

PRESIDENT KOCHARYAN MEETS WB VICE-PRESIDENT

armradio.am
14.12.2007 18:08

President Robert Kocharyan received the World Bank Vice-President for
Europe and Central Asia Shigeo Katsu, President’s Press Office reports.

Shigeo Katsu noted that for many years Armenia has been the most
efficient countries among WB partners. He said the second and
third-generation reforms will be at the core of the future programs
of cooperation between Armenia and the World Bank.

Robert Kocharyan said that parallel to the second-generation reforms
Armenia will pay great attention to social and educational directions,
reduction of the inequality of development of Yerevan and marzes.

The parties also exchanged views on Armenia’s opportunities to maintain
competitiveness in the future, noting that the consistent and effective
implementation of reforms plays a great role here.

SPOKESPERSON OF ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY: SELF-DETERMINATION IS ONE OF KEY PRINCIPLES ON TABLE OF NEGOTIATIONS OVER KARABAKH CONFLICT

arminfo
2007-12-14 18:01:00

ArmInfo. Self-determination is one of the key principles on the table
of negotiations over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Spokesperson
of the Armenian Foreign Ministry Vladimir Karapetian told ArmInfo
correspondent, commenting upon Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan
Araz Azimov’s December 14 statement.

According to the "Trend" news agency, A.Azimov said at a briefing,
Friday, that "self-determination of Karabakh Armenians, separate
from Azerbaijan cannot be considered". "Even the implementation of
the principle of self-determination of the nation should not lead to
the breakdown, and always should be resolved within the territorial
integrity", he noted.

HAYPOST PRESENTS SPECIAL APRICOT STAMP TO WINNER OF PRINCE CLAUS FUND

armradio.am
14.12.2007 14:26

The Dutch Prince Claus Fund for Culture and Development awards
Harutyun Khachatryan for the aesthetic quality and content of his
films, for raising the profile of film in Armenia, and for his use
of cultural expression to combat conflict. This Award was presented
to Mr. Khachatryan by Ambassador Onno Elderenbosch of the Royal
Netherlands at the Prince Claus Award Ceremony on Friday, December 14,
2007 at Golden Tulip Hotel.

Special guests included the RA Deputy Minister of Culture Karine
Khodikyan, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Armenia and
Georgia, Onno Elderensbosh, and Director General of HayPost, Hans Boon.

Hans Boon from HayPost presented Mr. Khachatryan with a special
postmark symbolizing the Prince Claus Fund exclusively made for this
event to mark the Armenian Apricot Stamp as a symbol of his work with
the Golden Apricot film festival. "We are honored that HayPost can
collaborate with the Fund to show its support and collaboration on
such internationally relevant awards. With this special Apricot stamp
postmark, HayPost shows its support in celebrating artists who are
doing outstanding work in helping reduce conflicts through cultural
actions," stated Mr. Boon.

20 BUSES ENVISAGED FOR DISABLED PEOPLE TO BE IMPORTED INTO ARMENIA BY END OF YEAR

Noyan Tapan
Dec 13, 2007

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 13, NOYAN TAPAN. On the initiative of the
municipality of Yerevan 20 more buses envisaged for disabled people
will be imported into Armenia by the end of the year. This information
was provided to a Noyan Tapan correspondent by Anahit Gevorgian,
the Deputy Head of the Department on the Disabled and Elderly under
the RA Ministry of Labour and Social Issues. According to her, the
municipality envisages to continue that work in 2008 as well. Anahit
Gevorgian stated that at present there is a bus and a trolley-bus
adjusted for disabled people operating in Yerevan.

LEVON TER-PETROSYAN GUILTY FOR VICTIMS OF WAR

Panorama.am
22:48 13/12/2007

Today retired Sokrat Hovsepyan, the former employee of RA Supreme
Court met with the journalists and announced that the explosion of
"Forth Power" newspaper’s editorial office reminds him the handwriting
of Armenian National Movement. According to him the murder of Khachik
Zakaryan lies on his shoulders, too.

S. Hovsepyan blames Levon Ter-Petrosyan for the employees’ intoxication
of Masis fabric, the murders of 14 soldiers in Noyemberyan in the
war time. He said that Ter-Petrosyan is guilty as he knew that those
soldiers would be murdered by the Russian army, and he sent them there.

The former employee of the court mentioned that he was fired by the
Ter-Petrosyan and his staff. He continued saying that the shooting
event on Arcrum Margaryan’s feet and the murder attempt on "Nemec Rubo"
(Ruben Harutunyan) also have links with the ex-president.

To the question if he has any proof that whatever he says is true,
Hovsepyan answered that those accidents happened when Ter-Petrosyan
was a president.

EXTRAORDINARY SESSION OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON DECEMBER 17

National Assembly of RA
Dec 14 2007
Armenia

Mr. Tigran Torosyan, President of the National Assembly of the Republic
of Armenia signed a decision on convening an extraordinary session
of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia on December 17,
2007 at 12 o’clock, according to the Article 70 of the Constitution
of the Republic of Armenia, on the initiative of the deputies of the
National Assembly by the initiator’s defined agenda.

ARMENIA TO HAVE THIRD WIRELESS OPERATOR
By Ruben Meloyan

Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
Dec 14 2007

The government has given the green light to the creation of Armenia’s
third mobile phone network and will call an international tender for
that purpose next year, a senior official said on Friday.

Robert Nazarian, chairman of the Public Services Regulatory Commission
(PSRC), told reporters that the bidding for the wireless license will
start on May 1 and last for 90 days. He said it will be administered
by a special commission to be formed by the government.

With Nazarian giving no further details, it is not clear when the
government decided to further liberalize the Armenian market for
wireless services. Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian’s cabinet has
announced no such decision yet.

Nazarian’s statement followed a newspaper report earlier this month
which said Armenia will soon have a third mobile operator. The
pro-opposition "Zhamanak Yerevan" claimed that it will be owned by
President Robert Kocharian’s son Sedrak.

Mobile telephony remained underdeveloped in Armenia until the
government’s decision in late 2004 to abolish a legal monopoly on the
service enjoyed by the ArmenTel national telecommunications company.

A Lebanese-owned company was hastily granted, without a tender,
the license to build the second wireless network. The launch of the
VivaCell network in summer 2005 led to an explosion in cellphone use
in the country.

VivaCell currently boasts over one million subscribers, or twice the
number of Armenians using the ArmenTel network. The two companies
are now owned by Russia’s two largest mobile phone operators.