Author: Andres-Papazian

Poll Shows Only 10% Satisfied with Standard of Living

Grisha Balasanyan

hetq
15:19, May 5, 2011

According to a March 2011 poll commissioned by the Armenian government
that included 1,605 respondents in Yerevan and the marzes, 45.2% said
they were employed, 20.2% were unemployed, 21.8% said they were
housewives and 12.8% identified themselves as pensioners.

These results unfavorably compare with poll results from December
2010, when only 15.1% of respondents claimed to be unemployed and
52.3%, employed.

Regarding household income, 46% of respondents in the recent poll said
their family income is between 40,000-130,000 AMD and 16.7% between
131,000-260,000 AMD.

Almost half of all respondents, 47.2%, said their overall
social-economic situation had worsened over the past year.

Only 10.6% claimed they were happy with their present standard of living.

From: A. Papazian

Ex-president denies entering into deal with authorities

18:31 – 05.05.11

Leader of the opposition Armneian National Congress (ANC) Levon
Ter-Petrosyan has given an interview to the RFE/RL Armenian service,
denying reports that the opposition bloc has entered into a deal with
the ruling regime.

Ter-Petrosyan who was the first president of Armenia said an open
dialogue with the government and the public is underway.

`We openly present our demands, our problems, our programs to the
authorities and the public, and the authorities are openly responding
to them,’ he was quoted as saying. ” Of course, not as concretely and
directly as we are saying … but steps are being taken and that cannot
be ignored,’ the ANC leader said, adding that the dialogue must be
permanent.

After the ANC’s rally on April 28, several protesters on Yerevan’s
Liberty square called on the opposition activists not to quit the
demonstration site and organize a sit-in protest in support of the the
political prisoners detained after the March 2008 post-electoral
turmoil in Yerevan. The ANC leaders, however, disapproved the
proposal.

Commenting on the ANC’s move not to allow a a sit-in protest, the
ex-president said:`Nothing has happened, the majority of the people
understands the entire process very well.’

`Naturally, there are impatient people, people who do not understand
the developments and who think problems could have been solved in a
different way,’ he added.

`I am sure that the different way would have ruined those issues,’ the
radio station quoted him as saying.

Tert.am

From: A. Papazian

After re-branding STAR intends to open 10-12 new supermarkets

arminfo
Thursday, May 5, 19:07

After re-branding STAR, the largest retail network in Armenia, is
going to open 10-12 new supermarkets, Executive Director of STAR Vahan
Kerobyan at today’s press conference in Yerevan. He added that some
new small supermarkets with an area of 200-400 sq m will also be
opened in the towns adjoining Yerevan.

The company also hopes to improve its clientele base after the
re-branding. At present about 30-35 thsd people do shopping at STAR
supermarkets. “I wouldn’t like to make a guess how much the clientele
base will be increased, but I think that within a short period of time
we will manage to return the customers that refused our services”,
said Kerobyan.

John Dunlop, director of an English advisory company working at the
concept of the new brand of STAR, pointed out that the brand is not
simple a new badge that will draw attention to a new product or a new
logo, but the basis of the company’s business strategy, a challenge
that may become the pledge of success. According to him, re-branding
is not a superficial process, but a more profound and fundamental
idea.

He pointed out that STAR has a good opportunity and all necessary
resources to become a leader in the retail trade market. According to
him, the weakest side of the company is the lack of unity in the
matter of quality, freshness of products and service. It is necessary
to create single standards.

Dunlop qualified the previous logotype of the network as a little bit
“tired”. The expert pointed out that the name of the network is a
strong side of the company, therefore, it is not admissible to change
it within the frames of re-branding.

To recall, STAR has 18 stores, including 1 in Hrazdan. Viest Assets
Ltd., registered in the British Virgin Islands, took a decision to own
100% of Star’s shares.

From: A. Papazian

Liturgy for Repose of Souls of Japan Calamity Victims Chanted

20:21, 4 May, 2011

YEREVAN, MAY 4, ARMENPRESS:

RA President Serzh Sargsyan, a number of RA high officials and foreign
diplomats attended today the liturgy for the repose of the Japan
earthquake and tsunami victims’ souls.

An official from the presidential press service reported Armenpress
that the liturgy was chanted by His Holiness Catholicos of All
Armenians Karekin II at Saint Gregory the Illuminator Church of
Yerevan.

From: A. Papazian

`World of Childhood EXPO 2011′ exhibition to open in Yerevan

10:18, 5 May, 2011

YEREVAN, MAY 5, ARMENPRESS:

“World of Childhood EXPO 2011” international exhibition will open in
the Yerevan Moscow House June 4-6 organized by “Logos Expo” center and
dedicated to the international day of protection of children. Clothes,
shoes, toys, furniture and food for children will be presented at the
event.

The local producers and international companies will present games,
books, videos developing children’s skills.

Armine Hakobyan, press officer of the center, told Armenpress that the
goal of the exhibition is not only to present products relating to
children but to promote the establishment of ties between the
businessmen.

Hakobyan said they are going to organize many contests, concerts, like
“Small Artist” and “Smiley”.

The exhibition will last for three days.

From: A. Papazian

Vostanik Marukhyan: Creation of `Microsoft Innovation Center’ to soon
give the first fruits

10:34, 5 May, 2011

YEREVAN, MAY 5, ARMENPRESS:

“Microsoft Innovation Center” will ceremonially open in the Armenian
State Architectural University May 11. Armenpress news agency spoke
with the rector of the University Vostanik Marukhyan about the program
of creation of the center, its functions and future activities.

– Mr. Marukhyan, how was the idea on creation of the center created
and what opportunities will the activity of the center create?

– Still in December 2009 agreement was signed between our university
and “Enterprises Incubator Foundation”. The both parties agreed to
closely cooperate within the framework of the “Microsoft Innovation
Center” program for creation of corresponding establishment in the
University. It was expected that the center will promote the
development of IT sphere in Armenia. I think it will also promote the
formation of organizations dealing with innovations. The existence of
the center will give an opportunity to prepare and train the professor
staff dealing with the sphere, students, specialists of leading IT
companies.

– Who can make use of the opportunities of the center?

– The center will be open for all. It means that people who would like
to deal with innovation and step in parallel to the development of the
sphere can make use of the opportunities of the center. Naturally,
first of all the students, professors of the University will be
involved in the classes but we are ready to cooperate with other
universities as well. The center will also become an arena for
discussion of issues relating to the sphere. Seminars, meetings,
special classes will be organized there.

– What influence will the center have on the general study process of
the University?

– Naturally, the “Microsoft Innovation Center” will have essential
impact on the University, regarding the organization of the study
process in a new way. It will give an opportunity to invest new
classes or amend the existing ones. Naturally, it will promote the
improvement of the quality of studies. Together with the professor
staff of the University we are planning to involve foreign specialists
in the conduction of the classes. We are full of hope that the
creation of this center, unique with its significance in the region,
will very soon give the first fruits and will essentially promote the
increase of potential of the staff dealing with innovations.

– How will you assess your cooperation with the IT organizations?

– We have rich traditions in this respect. Today we have partner
relations with almost all organizations of the IT sphere in Armenia.
We are actively cooperating with “Synopsys Armenia” company. The
educational model of preparing high-level staff, collaboratively
worked out academic plans and classes have become bright model
examples.

– What success has the University achieved in preparing IT specialists?

– We are preparing high-level specialists. Today our masters are
teaching in India and United Arab Emirates. It is a serious
achievement for us.

The number 1 issue for us is the quality of studies. For ensuring it
we must have high-level professor staff.

From: A. Papazian

RF Chief Bailiff’s Delegation Visits Tsitsernakaberd

15:46, 5 May, 2011

YEREVAN, MAY 5, ARMENPRESS:

The delegation, headed by Arthur Parfenchikov, Russian Federation
chief bailiff, visited today the Tsitsernakaberd (Swallow’s Fortress)
Memorial and put a wreath in memory of the Armenian Genocide victims.

Mihran Poghosyan, head the RA Judicial Acts Compulsory Service,
accompanied the delegation, which also visited the Genocide
Museum-Institute and left a note in the commemoration book of honorary
guests.

An official from the RA Judicial Acts Compulsory Service told
Armenpress that Arthur Parfenchikov planted a nominative fir tree in
the Memory Park.

From: A. Papazian

Artur Atanesyan Says Armenia Should Form a New Logic of Information Warfare

16:00, 5 May, 2011

YEREVAN, MAY 5, ARMENPRESS:

The 6-7th sessions of “History and Culture: against Falsification and
Infringement” scientific conference were conducted at Yerevan State
University.

During the sessions a number of observations and reports on the
contemporary falsifications, the anti-Armenian orientation of the
Azerbaijani policy, distortion of the Massacres of Sumgait and Baku,
as well as the Turkish misinterpretation of issues of the Armenian
history, the Turkish “concept” of the Armenian Genocide, were
presented.

According to Artur Atanesyan, head of the YSU sociology chair, many
Azerbaijanis do now wait for a state signal to launch war. “We often
act as a party, which responds to Azerbaijan’s accusation; however we
should take the first step. We should stop responding to the nonsense,
they spread,” Artur Atanesyan said.

He added that Armenia must form a new logic of information warfare.

From: A. Papazian

President Serzh Sargsyan Gets Acquainted with Projects of `Yerevan Beer’ CJSC

18:09, 5 May, 2011

YEREVAN, MAY 5, ARMENPRESS:

RA President Serzh Sargsyan and Minister of Economy Tigran Davtyan
visited today “Yerevan Beer” CJSC. The president got acquainted with
the company’s industrial volume, activity and intended programs.

In 2010 the company’s production volume made 1 million decalitre – 6 %
of the produced beer volume in the republic. The company produces 11
categories of beer, as well as juice, lemonade and mineral water. The
company’s “Kilikia” beer is exported to Russia, US, France, Singapore,
Ukraine, Georgia and other countries.

Ashot Baghdasaryan, company’s executive director, said today at a news
conference that projects for ensuring local sources of beer raw
materials are being implemented. An up-to-date factory of malt
production has been constructed since 2007 in Gyumri. The construction
is intended to be over 2012. It will produce 18,000 tons of
high-quality malt and the 70% of the product will be exported.

According to initial data, 800 villagers will be engaged in the works
of the agri-season and 200-250 vacancies will be created in Gyumri
after the operation of the factory.

From: A. Papazian

RA President Conducts Consultation with Representatives of
Reprocessing Companies

17:13, 5 May, 2011

YEREVAN, MAY 5, ARMENPRESS:

RA President Serzh Sargsyan conducted today a consultation with the
representatives of Armenia’s reprocessing companies and the tax sphere
at “Yerevan Beer” company. The gaps, issues in the sphere, the process
of the works directed to the sphere development and the intended
programs were discussed during the consultation.

Gagik Khachatryan, chairman of the RA Government-Affiliated State
Revenue Committee, said at a news conference, held after the
consultation, that the representatives of the reprocessing companies
were presented the intended tax reforms, directed to making the
business sphere healthier and eliminating the existing obstacles. He
says reforms are aimed at eliminating the issues in order the sphere
representatives think of their business projects only and not some
obstacles.

Gagik Khachatryan said one of the issues is the low level of direct
taxes of the reprocessing companies. Another obstacle is the
circulation of documents: “steps should be undertaken for facilitating
it”.

According to Sergo Karapetyan, RA agriculture minister, it is
necessary to build legal-agreement relations between producing and
reprocessing companies to make clear the responsibilities and rights
of the both sides. He said the consultation will give positive
results. He added that low-level competitiveness of reprocessed
products is the main obstacle for exportation. He says the capacity
development of the existing companies and the increasing number of new
companies will bring to rise in the level of competitiveness.

According to Ashot Baghdasaryan, general director of “Yerevan Beer”
company, the reforms in the tax sphere inspire hope. He said
Government keeps the rural communities in the limelight. “The steps to
be undertaken are proper, and the results will be evident,” Ashot
Baghdasaryan said.

From: A. Papazian