Author: Kajoyan Gevork

Armenia’s power production rose by 8.1% to 8bln kWt/h in 2012

YEREVAN, February 14. /ARKA/. Electricity production totaled about
8bln kWt-hours in Armenia n 2012, which is an 8.1% increase against
the level of the year before, Armenia’s national statistical service
reported.

Power production at thermal power plants grew by 42.3% to 3.4bln
kWt/hours in the reporting period against 2011, whereas power
generation at hydro power plants dropped by 6.4% to 2.3bln kWt/hours.

Armenian nuclear power plant produced 28.7% of the overall electricity
or 2.3bln kWt/hours, which is a 9.3% reduction from 2011. The share of
thermal power plants was 41.9% of the overall power production, and
that of hydro power plants was 29.2%.

Apart from this, some 2.1mln kWt/hours were produced by windmills, a
30% reduction compared to 2011. The share of windmill electricity was
0.03% of the overall production.

According to the national statistical service, a total of 90,000
gigajoules of heating power was produced in Armenia over 2012 (51.5%
decline against 2011). -0-

Presentation of `Monopolies in Armenia’ Held in Yerevan

February 13, 2013

On Feb. 11, the Hrayr Maroukhian Foundation (HMF), with the financial
support of the Friedrich Ebert-Stiftung (FES) of Germany, presented
its research on monopolies and the effects on the domestic market of
Armenia to over 70 economists, scholars, researchers, and
representatives of relevant state bodies in Yerevan. In 2012, the HMF
had invited a working group of experts to undertake this
groundbreaking study, which included Ara Nranyan, former Member of
Parliament and economist; Hayk Hovhanissyan, economist; and Arsen
Petrosyan, economist.

A scene from the presentation
Prior to the presentation of the study, `Monopolies in Armenia,’
welcoming remarks were made by the director of the Hrayr Maroukhian
Foundation, Maria Titizian; the regional director of the
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Michael Weichart; and ARF Bureau member
David Lokyan. The event was moderated by Artsvik Minasyan, a National
Assembly member of the Republic of Armenia.

The HMF Working Group then presented its findings, which included a
theoretical and practical analysis of monopolies in a global context;
the current state of markets in Armenia; international best practices
implemented to regulate monopolies; and the effect of domestic
monopolies on the Armenian economy. They analyzed the activities of
the Republic of Armenia’s State Commission for the Protection of
Economic Competition (SCPEC) and made specific recommendations for the
implementation of a model for tighter regulation of monopolies in the
country.

The overriding premise of the study strived to illustrate that to
achieve a competitive atmosphere in the country’s domestic market,
which is essential for economic growth, Armenia must demonstrate the
political will to ensure regulation and compliance for the management
of monopolies.

To view the full electronic version of the study, in English, click here.

Armenia a democratic haven surrounded by dictatorial regimes

15:00 14.02.2013

News of a Dubai-based entity winning a USD3-billion deal to build
Armenia’s rail and road project, has piqued investor interest in the
country, Zawya writes.

Dubai-based Rasia FZE along with partner Caucasus Railway signed a
deal with Armenia’s Ministry of Transport and Communication to build a
rail-and-road corridor that will link the ports of the Black Sea to
the ports of the Gulf.

It certainly seems to be an ambitious undertaking: The Southern
Armenia Railway is expected to be a 316 kilometre long electrified
single track railway, connecting Gavar, near Lake Sevan, to the
southern border of Armenia by Meghri and will be integrated with the
existing central railway system of Armenia, operated by South Caucasus
Railway CJSC and the operating railway system of Iran.

Meanwhile, the Southern Armenia High Speed Road, being built in the
southern province of Syunik, is set to be a 110-kilometre long
expressway connecting the town of Sisian to the southern border of
Armenia by Meghri.

Rasia has already recruited China Construction Company Ltd. to build
the project.

`Rasia and its consortium members will aim to boost potential local
and international transit freight volumes by investing in the
development of mineral and agricultural projects along the Corridor,’
said Chairman and CEO of Rasia, Mr. Joseph Borkowski.

`There will be additional effort to seek the involvement of nations,
and companies, benefiting from the Corridor including Russia, Iran,
India and the countries of Europe, Central Asia, and the GCC in order
to enhance regional trade relations.’

The USD3-billion transportation project for a USD10-billion,
landlocked economy is major initiative, highlighting the prospects of
opportunities in an economy which is often overshadowed by the larger
and richer economies of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.

‘But despite its small size, Armenia is no slouch. Considered the most
market-oriented economy in Central Asia, the country has emerged as
democratic haven surrounded by dictatorial and isolated regimes,’
Zawya writes.

Bacon Product launches water procession system

TERT.AM
11:23 – 14.02.13

Committed to innovative trends and a further enhancement, the Armenian
meat processing and packing company, Bacon Product, is launching a
water procession system.

The initiative, designed on a Belgian project, will help filter and
dechlorinate the water used in manufacturing processes, the company
says in a press release.

Over the course of its 18 years’ activitoies, Bacon Product has
periodically offered innovative projects and surprises, making its
assortment more diverse. It is the first meat processing company in
Armenia to organize study tours on its premises and open a consumer
service department.

Kim Bakshi’s book introduced at celebration of Artsakh movement
anniversary in Moscow

11:30, 14 February, 2013

MOSCOW, FEBRUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. A round table dedicated to the 25th
anniversary of the Artsakh movement was held in Moscow.
“Russian-Armenian Cooperation” informed “Armenpress” that the Deputy
Chairman of the Cultural Committee of the State Duma of Russia
Alexander Balberov, Member of the Public Council of the Russian
Federation Denis Dvornikov and a number of other distinguished
socio-political figures participated in the event.

The participants of the round table stated that actually the
Azerbaijani authorities have adopted a treacherous policy towards
their own people, as far as they spare no effort to shape a negative
image of the Armenians in the subconsciousness of the people.

Within the framework of the round table the book entitled “The
Spiritual Treasures of Artsakh” by prominent writer and screenwriter
Kim Bakshi was introduced to the public. This is the second volume of
the “Library of the Armenian-Russian Cooperation” series.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE SAYS WILL BE ACCUSED OF PLOTTING TO MURDER RIVAL

Interfax, Russia
Feb 12 2013

Armenian presidential candidate, epos specialist Varden Sedrakyan,
said he was sure he would be accused of complicity in the attempted
murder of another presidential candidate Paruir Airikyan after the
presidential election on February 18.

“I’m not being accused of anything yet. But after the elections,
after the announcement of results and departure of international
observers I will be accused of organizing the attempt on the life
of the presidential candidate,” Sedrakyan said at a news conference
on Tuesday.

Sedrakyan said he would be charged on February 22-23. Sedrakyan did
not say what the accusation would be based on.

“A suitable background to accuse me is currently being created. I
don’t know who might be interested in this,” Sedrakyan said.

Sedrakyan said that Khachatur Pogosyan, 47 and Samvel Arutyunyan,
41, arrested for the attempted murder of Airikyan, worked as painters
and decorators for him, without specifying the time of the work.

The Armenian National Security Service did not comment on this
information to Interfax.

The attempt on the life of Armenian presidential candidate Airikyan
was carried out late at night on January 31. He got a gun shot wound
to his shoulder.

Criminal case was opened under Article 34-305 of the Armenian criminal
code (attempted murder of a state, political, or public figure to stop
his or her work). An investigation group comprising representatives
of police and the National Security Service was established. The
investigation is led by the National Security Service.

Ez pr

ARMENIA TO PROTEST IOC DECISION TO DROP WRESTLING FROM OLYMPICS

February 13, 2013 – 18:13 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – FILA Bureau will hold a special meeting on Feb 14
in Phuket, Thailand.

In conversation with a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter, the vice-president
of Armenian wrestling federation Hrant Yenokyan said they won’t attend
the meeting due to not being a bureau member.

“We will join other federations to protest the decision. Greco-Roman
Wrestling World Cup kicks off Feb 19, with FILA president Raphaël
Martinetti to attend,” Mr Yenokyan said.

Wrestling has been dropped from the Olympic Games from 2020 by the
International Olympic Committee to make way for a new sport.

A decision on which sport will be added in 2020 will be made when
the IOC meet in Buenos Aires in September.

EDITORIAL: TURKEY AND EUROPE

February 13, 2013 6:20 pm

Both sides would benefit from reviving accession talks If France’s
decision to start dismantling roadblocks to Turkey’s membership of
the EU, erected by Nicolas Sarkozy before he lost the presidency to
Francois Hollande, is genuine, it is an overdue step towards sanity
in managing a vital European relationship.

There are still huge hurdles, especially the poisonous politics
swirling around the divided island of Cyprus, which could well bar
the door to the Turks. But whether Turkey eventually joins the EU
is less important than that it finishes its transformation into a
vibrant democracy, dynamic economy and admired regional power.

The paralysis in the accession talks, now in their seventh year, has
shut down a formidable engine of renewal and reform. Recep Tayyip
Erdogan, Turkey’s prime minister, hints at abandoning the European
quest. President Abdullah Gul, whom he will probably replace next
year, believes Ankara must stay on the EU path to complete its
modernisation. The enthusiasm of Turkish voters for Europe – which
tracks Mr Erdogan’s volatile moods – is fast evaporating.

This is a chance for the EU to revitalise relations with a country
in which Islam and democracy cohabit, at a time when it is fumbling
with upheavals on its Mediterranean and Muslim periphery.

For all its recent China-style economic growth rates, Turkey too
should realise the extent to which its dynamism depends on advancing
integration with the EU. Turkey’s trade has diversified impressively
but three-quarters of its foreign direct investment still comes
from the EU. More than 14,000 European companies are in Turkey and,
unlike most of the country’s partners, they transfer technology. These
companies, about half from Germany and France – the two big member
states hostile to Ankara’s accession – sharpen their competitive
edge with Turkish engineering skills: Renault has its most productive
factory in Bursa.

There are three ways to re-engage Turkey. As talks resume, the
EU should remove visa requirements for Turkish businessmen, start
reinviting Turkish leaders to summits, and involve Turkey’s defence
establishment in EU foreign and security policy.

The debate about a multi-tier Europe triggered by the eurozone crisis
(as well as noises-off in Britain) should involve Turkish leaders,
who think they can more easily slot their country into an outer ring
of the EU. It would also be a shame to waste Cyprus’s financial crisis.

Is there no leverage there to inject some reason into the wrangle
about the island’s future?

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS TO BE HELD IN ONE ROUND – ASHOT MANUCHARYAN

18:00 13/02/2013 » POLITICS

The current electoral system is fake in the fundamental aspect, former
member of Karabakh Committee Ashot Manucharyan told a news conference
in Yerevan, commenting on the upcoming presidential elections.

Referring to the slogan of presidential candidate Andrias Ghukasyan,
“Stop fake elections,” Manucharyan stressed that the fight against
the fake electoral system is one of the key issues facing us.

“He could as much successfully install a similar election poster in
Washington, Moscow or Baku. But we consider this from the point of
view of electoral fraud,” Manucharyan said.

“The only honest elections were in 1988-90, when we chose to live
the way we wanted,” he noted.

The upcoming presidential elections will be held in one round and no
surprises are expected during the vote. However, after the elections,
the civil society will begin to work actively to find a way out,
Manucharyan concluded.

Source: Panorama.a

QIWI Wallet Armenian users can now refill accounts via Telcell and MegaPay

YEREVAN, February 13. /ARKA/. QIWI Wallet users can now refill their
accounts throughout Armenia via over 800 Telcell and MegaPay terminals,
Telcell said Wednesday.

QIWI Wallet button can be found in “Monetary systems” sector of the
terminal. To refill the account it is necessary to enter the number
of Wallet and deposit money.

“We are glad to foster spread of QIWI Wallet in Armenia as this service
makes it possible to pay for goods and services, make payments and
transfer money all over the world without big queues and paperwork,”
TelCell Business Development head Sergey Usunts said.

Mikhail Rogov, who runs the QIWI Bank department for international
development, said Armenia’s users could register QIWI Wallet on their
local mobile numbers since early this year.

“And now, due to cooperation with Telcell and MegaPay, our users can
refill Wallet in the terminals, what makes this service even more
accessible,” he added.

QIWI is a leading payment systems provider in Russia and the CIS via
internet, mobile and individual platforms.

QIWI Wallet deals with internet and mobile payments processing. It
also serves as a money transfer system that enables the registered
users to pay for goods and services of over 27,000 online shops and
service providers, and make p2p money transfers. Thus, the virtual
wallet efficiently replaces a physical wallet. The Wallet users can
make payments via mobile and online interfaces.

QIWI Bank is a member of QIWI Group. The financial turnover of the
issued wallets totaled 67 billion rubles in 2011 which was 150%
higher from 2010. Ernst & Young is an auditor.

TelCell CJSC (branded as Telcell) started operating in Armenia in
August 2007. More than 800 payment-collection points are connected to
the system now. One can transfer money to national mobile communication
operators, pay loans, utility and Internet bills, supplement its
e-wallets, pay fines and duties etc. -0-