ArmSwissBank Getting Ready For Second Issue Of Corporate Bonds Of ‘V

ARMSWISSBANK GETTING READY FOR SECOND ISSUE OF CORPORATE BONDS OF ‘VALLETTA’ COMPANY

arminfo
2007-11-15 17:53:00

ArmInfo. The second issue of bonds of one of the leading multi-profile
Armenian companies, the "Valletta", will be shortly held.

Today, a contract was signed in ArmSwissBank on formation of a group
for placement of the second issue. The syndicate of underwriters
includes the ArmSwissBank, which comes out the main underwriter
of the issue, as well as the "TonTon", "Renessa", "Armenbrok" and
"Future Capital Market" investment- broker companies. On behalf of the
syndicate, an agreement was also signed between the company-emitter and
the ArmSwissBank on a guaranteed placement of the bonded loan. As the
ArmSwissBank’s press-service told ArmInfo, the volume of the second
issue of non-documentary coupon bonds of the "Valletta" Company
will make up 500 mln drams, divided by 10,000 securities with par
value of 50,000 each. The maturity of bonds makes up 24 months with
the annual rate of 10.5%. The coupon payments will be carried out
every 6 months. The bonds are guaranteed by the "Valletta" Company’s
property and envisage availability of additional guarantees by the
emitter-affiliated company, the "Star Glow" CJSC.

As Executive Director of ArmSwissBank Gevork Machanyan said, the
issues of the bonds of "Valletta" are unprecedented for the Armenian
market because they sufficiently exceed the circulated bonds in the
market not only by the volume and profitability, but also by the
mechanism of their initial placement through formation of a syndicate
of underwriters. By the agreement, the ArmSwissBank undertakes
acquisition of bonds to the sum of 100 mln drams, the "TonTon" –
100 mln drams, the "Renessa" – 100 mln drams, the "Armenbrok" and
"Future Capital market" – 50 mln drams each. The bonds with volume of
100 mln drams will be placed at the open market by underwriting. To
note, the first issue of the "Valletta" bonds to 350 mln drams with
the same parameters and the repayment term of 18 months was carried
out by ArmSwissBank in July, 2007. The securities underwent listing at
the Armenian Exchange ArmEx. "Initially, we targeted at active entry
of bonds in a secondary market, therefore, the ArmSwissBank was given
a license on May 30 for a broker-dealer and depositary activities",
G. Machanyan said.

He also said that in 2007, the bank became the underwriter of the
bonds issue to the total sum of 1.35 bln drams, 850 mln of which are
the bonds of the "Valletta" and 500 mln drams are the volume of debut
debt securities of the ACP mining company. "We succeeded to "form"
the maximum comfortable and attractive tools for investors both by
the level of profitability and liquidity, which we are ready to assure
continuously", G. Machanyan emphasized. According to the business-plan,
the bank intends to increase the issue of debt securities of different
emitters in 2008 to 2 bln drams.

As manager of financial programs of "Valletta" company Anna Gevorkyan
told ArmInfo correspondent, the funds gained from the bonded loans
will be directed to restructuring the sources of finance and reducing
the value of the company’s loan funds, to capital investments in
implementation of new programs and a small part -to the replenishment
of floating assets.

"Restructuring, factually, cheapening of loan funds became one of the
strategically important tasks of our company, which runs a fairly
successful and diversified business, A. Gevorkyan emphasized. The
capital investments are directed to the creation of a net of cafes
of the world- known Italian Segafredo Zanetti company in Armenia. It
will be based on the principles of franchising and floating assets are
necessary to increase import component of the company’s activity and
formation of sufficient supplies of commodities. To note, "Valetta"
company occupies leading places in the list of the largest taxpayers
in Armenia. Within the frames of the company there are a number of
refining productions, fast service facilities, restaurants, networks
of shops, firms importing household appliances.

ARF Dashnaktsutyun Will Nominate President

ARF DASHNAKTSUTYUN WILL NOMINATE PRESIDENT

KarabakhOpen
14-11-2007 15:48:21

No elections are scheduled in Karabakh. In Armenia, however, the
presidential election is drawing nearer. The ARF Dashnaktsutyun decided
to nominate a candidate, and is going to choose a candidate between
two nominees. Recently, however, the ARF Dashnaktsutyun has been said
to give up the idea of nominating president forced by the political
situation in Armenia, and will support one of the "main" candidates.

Davit Ishkhanyan, representative of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun Central
Committee, commented on this for Karabakh-Open.com.

"I was surprised to hear about it. I think those are mere rumors. We
commend the decision to nominate president, which was made in the
General Meeting held in Karabakh. I do not think that the decisions of
the meeting will be cancelled. Moreover, on November 30 the Supreme
Body of Armenia will hold a meeting in Yerevan where the candidate
of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun will become known. I think it is going to
be a difficult choice because both candidates are worthy."

Initiative Of Zharangutiun Faction On Applying To Constitutional Cou

INITIATIVE OF ZHARANGUTIUN FACTION ON APPLYING TO CONSTITUTIONAL COURT JOINED ONLY BY MPS OF OYP AND INDIVIDUAL MP VIKTOR DALAKIAN

Noyan Tapan
Nov 14, 2007

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 14, NOYAN TAPAN. The Republican Party of
Armenia faction of the RA National Assembly has refused and the
ARF Dashnaktsutiun and Barhavach Hayastan (Prosperous Armenia)
factions have not responded to the signature gathering initiated
by the Zharangutiun (Heritage) faction since October for the
purpose of applying to the Constitutional Court with regard to the
constitutionality of a number of provisions of the law on "Alienation
of Property for State Needs". This statement was made by Larisa
Alaverdian, a member of the Zharangutiun (Heritage) faction in the
November 13 sitting of the National Assembly. According to her,
besides the members of the above-mentioned faction the application
has been signed only by independent MP Viktor Dalakian and the members
of the Orinats Yerkir (Country of Law) faction.

It should be mentioned that signatures of at least 27 MPs are necessary
for applying to the Constitutional Court, whereas Zharangutiun
(Heritage) and Orinats Yerkir (Country of Law) have 7 and 8 MPs,
correspondingly.

BAKU: Sergey Stanishev:" Nogorno Karabakh Conflict Can Not Be Always

SERGEY STANISHEV:" NOGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT CAN NOT BE ALWAYS FROZEN"

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Nov 13 2007

"Nogorno Karabakh conflict is a painful problem for Azerbaijan,
Armenia and region". Sergey Stanishev, Bulgarian Prime Minister told
journalists, APA reports

Mr. Stanishev mentioned that he helped to the establishment of Prague
process when Bulgaria headed OSCE in 2004.

"I consider that constant decision should be made to ensure regional
cooperation. The conflict can not be always frozen. The sooner
solution variant for ensuring the development and stability is found,
the better it is," he said Mr. Stanishev noted that he will visit
Yerevan and stressed that he will say opinions sounded here in Yerevan.

"Bulgaria wants the development and stability of region as one of
the region countries and as a member of EU. Present situation is not
in the interest of Azerbaijanis and Armenians. There are a lot of
refugees in Azerbaijan as a result of Nogorno Karabakh conflict and
one part of country territory is not under control of authority.

Armenia can not establish economic relations with its neighbors
because it is blockaded, the conflict impede to the economic and
social development of this country."

Mr. Stanishev regarded talks on settlement of the conflict as a
difficult process and stressed the necessity of finding constructive
solution.

"I want to mention that Bulgaria and Greece waged a lot of wars for
territory and for the access of Aegean Sea for centuries. We are not
absolutely interested in our borders because the two countries are
the members of EU.

Turkey Interested In Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline Construction – Gul

TURKEY INTERESTED IN TRANS-CASPIAN GAS PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION – GUL

Russia & CIS General Newswire
November 6, 2007 Tuesday 7:25 PM MSK

Turkey is interested in the implementation of the Trans-Caspian gas
pipeline project, Turkish President Abdullah Gul has said.

"We should attach primary importance to the construction of
a Trans-Caspian gas pipeline, and we need to cooperate with our
Turkmen brothers more actively to this end," Gul said at a joint press
conference with Azeri President Ilham Aliyev summing up the outcomes
of their negotiations in Baku on Tuesday.

Turkey would like to see peace in the South Caucasus as soon as
possible, including through the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict in a peaceful way, on condition that Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity is preserved, and Ankara is willing to contribute efforts
to this end, Gul said.

Gul thanked the Azeri leadership for supporting the non-recognized
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’s efforts to end its international
isolation.

Talking about economic cooperation between Turkey and Azerbaijan,
Gul said, "Our midterm goal is to increase trade turnover from the
current more than $1 billion to more than $3 billion," he said.

"Turkey is prepared to be involved in Azerbaijan’s economy more
actively through investment and trade and economic ties," he said.

Turkey hopes for the soonest possible implementation of the Baku-
Tbilisi-Kars railroad construction project, Gul said.

Gul also mentioned the establishment of a common Azeri-Turkish-
Georgian economic zone as a common goal for the three countries and
called for easing conditions for cargo transportation.

About 2,000 Turkish companies operating in Azerbaijan have invested
$2.5 billion in that country’s economy, Gul said. Turkish businesses
have made the largest investment in the non-oil sector of Azerbaijan,
and the overall volume of Turkish investment in Azerbaijan’s economy,
including the energy sector, amounts to $5 billion, he said.

Kocharian Thinks There Will Be No Destabilization Ahead Of Elections

KOCHARIAN THINKS THERE WILL BE NO DESTABILIZATION AHEAD OF Elections

Russia & CIS Presidential Bulletin
November 6, 2007

Armenian President Robert Kocharian has said he does not think that
the situation in Armenia could destabilize ahead the 2008 presidential
elections in the country.

I have always said in my speeches that I see no dangers here,
Kocharian said at a meeting with teachers of the Yerevan State
Medical University.

Life is getting better year after year. Problems, that we have had,
are now disappearing, the president said.

The status of the country has changed and today there is no anger or
depressed state of mind, he said.

Previously, some opposition politicians had tried to use this to push
people to rioting and illogical steps, Kocharian said.

The Armenian National Assembly elections that took place this May
showed that politicians who assume the most aggressive positions were
not elected to the parliament, Kocharian said. Political forces or
politicians that will show aggressiveness will just go bankrupt.

There is no place for them in politics. I am aware of this, the
Armenian president said.

Opposition is needed in country’s political life and it should
criticize, while the absence of opposition has a negative influence
on the country and weakens its competitiveness in the international
arena, the president said.

Kocharian’s speech was broadcast by the Armenian Public TV channel.

Leader Of National Unity Party Artashes Geghamyan To Be Officially N

LEADER OF NATIONAL UNITY PARTY ARTASHES GEGHAMYAN TO BE OFFICIALLY NOMINATED A CANDIDATE FOR ARMENIAN PRESIDENT AT THE END OF NOVEMBER

2007-11-12 14:39:00

ArmInfo. "National Unity Party’s jubilee conference held recently,
as is known, recommended the party’s presidium to nominate our
leader Artashes Geghamyan’s candidature in the coming presidential
election. The presidium of National Unity Party will make the final
decision on this matter at the end of November", Deputy Leader of NU
Party Gagik Tadevosyan told ArmInfo correspondent.

According to him, everything depends on when Artashes Geghamyan
himself will give his consent. "We expect a positive answer from the
party’s leader.

Afterwards the Presidium consisting of 21 members will officially
advance his nominee in the Feb 19 presidential election," G.Tadevosyan
said.

To recall, the Central Electoral Commission will register the
presidential nominees from November 21, 2007, till December 6, 2007,
6 pm.

Armenian National Teams Of Chess To Take Part In World Championship

ARMENIAN NATIONAL TEAMS OF CHESS TO TAKE PART IN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Panorama.am
16:16 12/11/2007

Armenian chess youth national teams will take part in the men’s and
women’s world chess championship. The tournament will take place
in Turkish Kemer-Antalia from November 17 to 29. Armenian chess
federation official web page informs that 8,10,12,14,16 and 18 year
old will compete.

ArmEx And The Central Depository Of Armenia Will Be Reorganized Into

ARMEX AND THE CENTRAL DEPOSITORY OF ARMENIA WILL BE REORGANIZED INTO OPEN JOINT STOCK COMPANIES

Mediamax News Agency, Armenia
Nov 12 2007

Yerevan, November 12 /Mediamax/. The self-regulating "Armenian Stock
Exchange" organization will be reformed to an Open Joint Stock Company.

Mediamax reports that the corresponding decision was made on November
9 during the special general meeting of the ArmeEx members.

The "Central Depository of Armenia" self-regulating organization will
also be reorganized into an Open Joint Stock Company. The corresponding
decision was also made on November 9, during the special general
meeting of the members of the "Central Depository of Armenia".

Earthquake

EARTHQUAKE

A1+
[03:28 pm] 09 November, 2007

November 9 a 4.5-magnitude earthquake was recorded on the Iran-Turkey
frontier, 23 km south-west to the town of Urmia. The force of epicenter
was six measured on the Richter Scale, RA National Seismic Centre
reports.