Author: Andres-Papazian

European cultural landmarks presented at photo exhibition in Erebuni museum

September 18, 2010 – 15:59 AMT 10:59 GMT
PanARMENIAN.Net –

European cultural landmarks were presented at photo exhibition in
Erebuni museum within the framework of European Heritage Days in
Armenia.

The event was opened by a performance featuring dances of the world.

The exhibit, showcasing works of international masters of photography,
is aimed at promotion of intercultural communication.

Armenia will be hosting European Heritage Days on September 18-19.

From: A. Papazian

Armen Hayrapetyan: Armenian businessmen reluctant about lowering prices

September 18, 2010 – 15:01 AMT 10:01 GMT
PanARMENIAN.Net –

Armenian Ministry of Finance (AMF) reported a curious action pattern
that the Armenian businessmen follow, the head of AMF Macroeconomic
Policy Department Armen Hayrapetyan stated, commenting on resent price
upsurge in Armenian consumer market.

”According to the Ministerial research, the businessmen tend to
increase prices when an upsurge is observed on local market, however,
showing reluctance about lowering prices after the situation is back
to normal,” Hayrapetyan explained.

To discover actual reasons behind the pattern, Hayrapetyan suggested
involvement of anti-monopolistic body and initiation of activities to
increase the county’s competitiveness.

The head of AMF Macroeconomic Policy Department cited agriculture
sector as the most competitive sphere in Armenian economy.

An independent expert Samvel Avagyan, in turn, spoke about
stabilization on the wheat market of Armenia despite the stir
triggered by the Russian embargo. The expert explained the increase of
retail price by the growth in product transportation costs while
importing wheat from Iran, Turkey and other countries.

From: A. Papazian

Armenia’s banking system heads for dedollarization

September 18, 2010 – 16:02 AMT 11:02 GMT
PanARMENIAN.Net –

Independent expert, PhD of Economic Sciences Samvel Avagyan said that
dedollarization trends are observed in Armenia’s banking system.

This is proved by the structure of loans granted by banks, in which
AMD loans prevail, Avagyan told a press conference in Yerevan.

Moreover, according to the expert, the Armenian banks have around
$400mln excess of dollar liquidity.

Avagyan noted that if the process of dedollarization starts in
Armenia, it may result in sharp decrease of USD exchange rate,
reaching AMD300/USD 1. However, it is undesirable, said Avagyan.

Head of the Department on Macroeconomic Policy Development at the
Armenian Ministry of Finance Armen Hayrapetyan also agreed that
dedollarization trends are observed in Armenia’s banking system, but
refrained from making forecasts concerning the exchange rate this
year.

From: A. Papazian

Armenian economy undergoing stagnation, experts say

September 18, 2010 – 14:39 AMT 09:39 GMT
PanARMENIAN.Net –

Over the last 7 months, Armenian economy has shown a tendency for GDP
growth impairment (4%), caused by 23% slump in agriculture sector in
January -July.

`GDP index exceeds the one envisaged by state budget; however it’s a
little lower than we expected,’ the head of Armenian Ministry of
Finance (AMF) Macroeconomic Policy Department Armen Hayrapetyan told a
news conference.

AMF’s inflation-related expectations also proved unjustified. `Current
level of inflation, 8-9%, is the result of price increase for
agriculture products, as well as the upsurge of world prices for
bakery products,’ the expert noted.

Hayrapetyan gave high assessment to export and import rates, 43% and
22% respectively.

An independent expert Samvel Avagyan, expressed skepticism over the
current level of unemployment and social environment in Armenia.

`Armenian economy is undergoing stagnation,’ the expert observed.

1,2% economic growth, and 4±1,5% inflation rate are envisaged by the
budget in 2010.

From: A. Papazian

Ecotourism: NCFA proposes tourism expansion

Business | 17.09.10 | 16:37

Photo:

The tramway is expected to spur tourism to Tatev monastery attracting
about 20,000 visitors a year.

By Gayane Abrahamyan
ArmeniaNow reporter

The National Competitiveness Foundation of Armenia (NCFA) took up the
development of ecotourism, rural and culinary tourism, which is
considered to be an important unused potential for tourism in general.

`Armenia has a great ecotourism potential; and currently we develop
programs in order to combine the historical-cultural tourism [a
priority branch of tourism in Armenia] with rural and culinary
tourism,’ says Zara Amatuni, NCFA Head of the PR Department.

In 2009, about 600,000 tourists visited Armenia, as of the first
quarter of 2010, their number was 230,000. Most of them are interested
in historical-cultural monuments; and if rural communities were ready
to receive guests, then, according to Amatuni, many tourists would
prefer just the ecotourism, and rural tourism particular, which is
part of it.

However, peasants need trainings, and a culture of working with
tourists must still be developed. For that purpose NCFA has developed
a project which will include seven villages near Tatev Monastery in
the nearest future.

`Development programs have already been developed in seven villages
near Tatev Monastery, planning to assign micro-loans to peasants for
renovating their houses and providing B&B [bed and breakfast]
comforts,’ Amatuni told ArmeniaNow.

Culinary tourism, which is not popular in Armenia yet, will be
developed along with rural tourism, too.
`The culinary brand of Armenia must be developed; for example,
Zangezuri Cuisine, and a tourist, who visited the village, may not
only taste this or that dish, but he/she may also participate in the
cooking process. This is a very popular means of tourism in the whole
world, which is in great demand,’ Amatuni says.

The three-year Tatev Revival Project is the most important issue NCFA
must fulfill. The project includes restoration and conservation of the
monastery, development of infrastructures, improvement of Vorotan
Gorge, and the development of rural and culinary tourism with the
involvement of adjacent communities.

The greatest work of the project, which has about $50 million budget
($20 million of the sum was donated by 100 Armenian and foreign
benefactors, and $10 million – by the government), is the construction
of the longest tramway in the world, 5.7 kilometers, which is almost
finished, and will open October 16.

The Tatev tramway, of the cost of $13 million, runs from the village
of Halidzor, close to the highway from Yerevan, to Tatev village,
where the Tatev monastery complex (IX century) is located.

Thanks to the tramway, the monastery should get about 20,000 visitors
a year, and will be available during winter months, too, promoting the
enlargement of tourism season in Armenia.

An online fundraising is held for Tatev Revival Project. All those who
wish to donate for the project, may visit and make their
donations, paying $10 until September 30. The site offers a lottery
from which two wining couples may get an opportunity to have a
seven-day tour in Armenia.

From: A. Papazian

Levon Ter-Petrosyan delivered a speech a statesman would do: Armen Martirosyan

17:31 – 18.09.10

The speech delivered by the leader of the opposition Armenian National
Congress (HAK) Levon Ter-Petrosyan at the rally held near the
Matenadaran late on Friday, was one that a political figure would
deliver, MP from the Heritage Party Armen Martirosyan told Tert.am.

“The overall assessment is that it was a speech by a political figure
with its assessments about the current situation,” said he.

At the same time he mentioned that no surprising statements were made
at the rally as the HAK said earlier.

“At the same time there were no surprising statements, at least for
me, as stated before,” said Mr Martirosyan.

Asked what he thought about HAK’s statement that it is launching a
huge wave of rallies, marches and demonstrations, Mr Martirosyan said:
“I will be very glad that such events are being held, as in any case,
if the opposition is holding more widespread activities, regardless
which opposition is doing it, it is useful for the state. But how
things will unfold, I don’t want to be ahead of time.”

Tert.am

From: A. Papazian

Central Bank Predicts Gradual Inflation Rate Drop

YEREVAN, September 18, /ARKA/. The inflation in Armenia will begin to
gradually drop from October to stay within the target projected for
the full year, the Central Bank of Armenia Council said in its
September 7 protocol on refinancing interest rate.

The Central Bank attributes the 12- month high inflation rate to steep
rise of prices of basic staples in August in world markets,
particularly, of wheat, potatoes and fruits. The current inflation
rate exceeds substantially the projected highest ceiling, which is a
serious problem, but having in mind that it was induced by the shock
the Central Bank does not consider this trend to keep on.

At the same time Central Bank experts believe that domestic demand
recovery does not lead to inflationary pressure, while toughening
monetary and credit terms and developments at the foreign exchange
market help the inflation environment to soften. The protocol says the
high inflation rate of 6.25% for transitional and emerging markets was
forecasted by IMF experts for 2010.

According to Armenian National Statistical Service, Armenian inflation
rose by 1.3% in August from July to 9.6% year-on-year. In august food
prices rose by 2.3%, non-foods prices by 0.1% while prices of services
went up by 0.2%. The government projects 4% (±1.5%) inflation rate for
2010. -0–

From: A. Papazian

NGO suggests the amount of penalties imposed on companies for
antitrust conspiracy be raised to 5-15% of their turnover for previous
year

YEREVAN, September 18, /ARKA/. A non-governmental organization set up
to protect the interests of consumers, suggested today that the amount
of penalties imposed on companies for antitrust conspiracy or abuse of
their dominating positions at the local food commodities markets be
raised to 5-15% of their turnover for the previous year, but no more
than 5 billion Drams.

Speaking to a news conference, convened to unveil the findings of a
survey conducted by the organization in March- June to find out the
impact of growing prices on the conditions of vulnerable segments of
population, its chairman, Abgar Yeghoyan, said the amount of penalties
must knock off once and for all the desire of such companies to raise
prices of basic foods by taking advantage of their dominance at local
markets.

The State Commission for Protection of Economic Competition is
considering now a set of bills calling for rise of penalties imposed
on companies for unfair competition and abuse of dominating position
at the market. The current maximum amount of penalty is 2% of the
turnover for the previous year, but no more than 300 million Drams.

Yeghoyan proposed that the government set up an off-budget fund to
accumulate 50% of penalties which could be used to educate the public
about its rights.

The study was conducted with the support of the Armenian office of
Oxfam charity organization based on findings of the non-governmental
organization and the official numbers of the National Statistical
Service.

According to government data, the inflation in March – June rose by
7.4% year-on-year. The government has projected a 4±1.5% inflation for
2010. -0-

From: A. Papazian

Azerbaijan doesn’t lose hope to transfer Karabakh problem discussions to UN

September 18, 2010 – 11:38 AMT 06:38 GMT
PanARMENIAN.Net –

Mr. Walter Fust, Director of the Global Humanitarian Forum and
Chairman of UNESCO’s International Program for the Development of
Communication, has stated that it’s time to resolve the Karabakh
problem.

He said he supports the initiative on appointment of a UN special
representative for Nagorno Karabakh.

`It’s an interesting idea and I think it may contribute to the
conflict settlement,’ Fust said, quoted by SalamNews.

The idea to appoint a special representative for Nagorno Karabakh was
suggested by Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Vice-president of the Reflection
Group on the long-term future of the European Union, and Anne-Marie
Lizin, President of the Senate of Belgium.

From: A. Papazian

Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry suffers from inferiority complex,
Ukrainian journalists say

September 18, 2010 – 13:42 AMT 08:42 GMT
PanARMENIAN.Net –

Fraza Media Holding editor-in-chief Vitali Kustov characterized
Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry’s blacklisting Ukrainian journalist Anna
Mamontova as a sign of inferiority complex.

`Is it normal for a Foreign Ministry to forbid a journalist from
entering the country because of an unflattering newspaper article? Can
it simply suggest the Ministry’s deeply-hidden inferiority complex?’
Kustov questioned.

`Declaring the journalist persona non grata reminds me of Yushchenko
methods which have long outlived themselves. In this context the
statement by UNA-UNSO (Ukrainian National Assembly – Ukrainian
Nationalistic Self Defence) nationalistic movement leader Mykola
Karpyuk, planning to `aid Azerbaijan in restoration of its territorial
integrity’ seems even more absurd. But then, as the saying goes, birds
of a feather flock together,’ Analitika.at.ua cited Kustov as saying.

From: A. Papazian