Author: Kalantarian Kevo

LM ERICSSON SIGNS BILLION DOLLAR DEAL WITH CHINESE TELECOMS

Learning Markets
Thursday, 09 July 2009 08:38

Wednesday, Swedish telecom equipment giant LM Ericsson Telephone
Co. (ERIC) said it signed US$1.7 billion worth framework agreements
with two major Chinese telecom operators on 2G/3G mobile communication
equipment and related services for 2009. Ericsson’s deal with China
Mobile Limited (CHL) is valued at US$1 billion, while the deal with
China Unicom Hong Kong Limited. (CHU) is valued at US$0.7 billion.

The Stockholm, Sweden-based company noted that the newly signed 2009
framework agreements will allow both operators to further improve
the capacity and performance of their 2G networks and accelerate the
initial build-up of their 3G networks.

Both Chinese companies have received 3G licenses of TD-SCDMA and WCDMA
standards, respectively, at the beginning of 2009, and they, together,
are currently serving more than 620 million mobile subscribers in
China. Ericsson added that the latest deals ensure richer and more
innovative mobile communication services to hundreds of millions of
Chinese consumers as 3G takes off in China.

Under the agreement with China Mobile, Ericsson said it continues
to deliver green solutions to support the Chinese company’s network
energy optimization and CO2 emission reduction target. Ericsson will
also expand GSM/GPRS network coverage and capacity in 18 provinces in
China with related services. Further, the company said it supports
China Mobile’s 3G network build-out by providing a wide range of
innovative TD-SCDMA products and solutions.

Ericsson, under its deal with China Unicom, will become the main
supplier to upgrade China Unicom’s GSM networks in 10 provinces, and
also will provide the operator with GSM/WCDMA core network and/or
wireless access system in 15 provinces, including transmission, IP
and value-added service platform. The company’s strong local support
team would be supporting China Unicom in launching the world’s largest
WCDMA commercial networks.

Commenting on the deals, Mats Olsson, President of Ericsson Greater
China, said, "China’s 3G market is growing rapidly and the world
is watching closely. Ericsson has been devoted to supporting the
development of China’s telecom industry. The signing of the 2009
framework agreements today further enhances the position of Ericsson
as the leading mobile communications supplier in China market."

Last week, Ericsson had said that it received contracts to provide
fixed broadband access to three Chinese telecom operators; China
Mobile, China Unicom, as well as China Telecom Corp. Ltd. (CHA). The
contracts are part of Chinese companies’ upgradation in their networks
with the latest available technology, with which subscribers in an
initial nine Chinese provinces will get access to high-definition TV,
high-speed broadband and quality voice services.

Tuesday, Ericsson said it signed a contract with SMART Communications
Inc. to provide High Speed Packet Access or HSPA/WCDMA-based broadband
technology in Philippines. In June, Ericsson signed a deal with
Armenian operator Ucom to provide high-quality, interactive TV to
viewers in that country, and also signed a five-year strategic managed
services agreement with Mobile Telecommunications Co. KSC, under which
Ericsson will operate Zain’s nationwide GSM/WCDMA networks in Nigeria.

ERIC closed Tuesday’s regular trading session at $9.29, down $0.28,
on a volume of 3.6 million shares. In the past 52 weeks, shares have
been trading between $5.49 and $12.65.

CHL settled at $47.80 on Tuesday, down $0.80 from previous day’s close,
on a 2.2 million share volume, while CHU closed at $13.10, down $0.06,
on a volume of 2 million shares.

Many people are asking "Is now the Time To Invest?" We have answers
and helps for getting started.

GOOD OPPORTUNITIES EXIST FOR GERMAN COMPANIES TO OPERATE IN ARMENIA’S HIGH-TECH AND STONE WORKING SECTORS

NOYAN TAPAN
JULY 9, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JULY 9, NOYAN TAPAN. On the initiative of the RA Chamber
of Commerce and Industry (CCI), a delegation of German businessmen
arrived in Armenia on July 6 to explore the domestic market and
promote Armenian-German economic links.

The head of the RA CCI’ represenative office in the Baden Wurttemberg
state (Germany) Robert Huber told reporters on July 8 that they will
meet with representatives of Armenian organizations, get acquainted
with the spheres of their activities and establish business links. In
his words, good opportunities exist for German companies to operate
in Armenia’s high-tech and stone working sectors.

He pointed out the need for new opportunities of increasing the trade
turnover at the current stage of the global crisis.

The head of the CCI Department for Foreign Relations Vladimir Amirian
said that in 2008 the trade turnover between Armenia and Germany
amounted to 450 million USD, with exports making about 200 million USD.

Molybdenum, crude copper, aluminum foil, synthetic rubber, chemical
fibers, textiles, precious and semiprecious stones are exported
from Armenia to Germany. Among goods imported from Germany are
milk products, poultry, vegetables, chocolate, coffee, tea, beer,
animal food, cigarettes, oil, metal structures, domestic appliances,
metal-working machines, and cars.

AZERBAIJANI SIDE INTERESTED IN TRIPS TO KARABAKH

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
07.07.2009 12:00 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Azerbaijanii media reports and comments concerning
Armenian and Azei intellectuals’ recent initiative present distortion
of real facts, NKR Foreign Ministry says in a release.

By expressing consent to host Armenian and Russian intellectuals
under the leadership of Armenian and Russian Ambassadors to Russia
Armen Smbatyan and Polad Bulbologlu and Russian President’s Envoy for
International Cultural Cooperation Mikhail Shvydkoy, NKR leadership
demonstrated its successive goodwill gesture, reiterating its
commitment to peaceful settlement of NKR conflict, says the release.

"As regards certain divergences concerning Azeri delegation’s staff
and route, it was changed at NKR’s demand. Milli Majilis deputy Khavva
Mamedova and delegation member Chingiz Ismayilov were removed from
delegation list because of their anti-Karabakh and anti-Armenian
statements. Considering Azeri side’s interest in the trip, we can
easily assume that official Baku seeks ways to make radical changes
in negotiation format and conduct direct talks with NKR. Such mutual
visits are quite notable in terms of their impulse aiming to relax
tension between conflicting parties. That’s first of all because
Azerbaijani intellectuals made sure once again that they were dealing
with an accomplished state which overcame difficulties and obstacles
caused by Azerbaijani aggression, and now has excellent pre-requisites
for achieving international recognition," the release goes on saying.

FAREWELL CONCERT OF CHARLES AZNAVOUR HELD IN TUNISIA

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
06.07.2009 15:46 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Farewell concert of world famous chanson Charles
Aznavour will be held in Tunis on 21 July. As the Associated Press
reports quoting a Tunisian Assabah, Charles Aznavour will perform at
the international festival in Carthage.

"I am happy to complete my career at Carthage, which symbolizes the
civilization, history and eternity," Charles Aznavour said.

ARMENIAN EXPERT: EUROPE CONSIDERS ARMENIA AN INTEGRAL PART OF ITS CIVILIZATION

ArmInfo
2009-07-06 12:20:00

ArmInfo. Europe considers Armenia as an integral part of its
civilization, Chairman of "European Integration" organization Karen
Bekaryan told ArmInfo.

He thinks the efforts Europe makes for formation and development of the
democratic processes in our country are stipulated just by this. Along
with it, according to the expert, one cannot but take into account the
circumstance that the West is guided by its interests, first of all.

‘Naturally, the policy of the West with regard to Armenia aims, first
of all, at protection of its interests. On the other hand, Armenia
should also have its interests, moreover, clearly formulating them,
it should be perceptible, since the European civilization much differs
from the Asian one’. ‘As for the question whether Europe considers
Armenia an integral part of its civilization, I think it does. This
is testified by the attention it shows to Armenia’, Bekaryan resumed.

ISRAEL FORTIFIES POSITIONS IN CAUCASUS

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
06.07.2009 12:43 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The visit of Israeli President’s visit to Baku
and dynamics of Azerbaijani-Israeli relations are not a coincidence,
a Russian expert said.

"Israeli experts have been carrying out a purposeful work to strengthen
relations with Azerbaijan. Israel is fortifying positions in the
Caucasus, it’s obvious. Let’s not forget that Israeli specialists
trained the Georgian military before attack on South Ossetia," said
Andrey Areshev, deputy director general of the strategic culture
foundation.

"It’s unclear whether Israel plays its own game or acts as an agent
of another power wishing destabilization of Russia and Iran. At that,
it would be naïve to think that intensification of Baku-Tel Aviv
relations is still a secret for Iran and Arab states," he said.

Further developments depend on a number of factors, according to
Areshev.

He also said that the Azeri diplomacy’s aspiration to act
simultaneously at American-Israeli, Islamic and Russian fronts is
quite understandable but it will hardly produce positive results.

"To resolve the Karabakh problem, Baku should put an end to bellicose
statements and launch an open dialogue with Stepanakert," Areshev
concluded.

APA

Iran invites Armenian defense minister to Tehran

[ 04 Jul 2009 12:57 ]

Baku – APA. Armenian defense minister Seyran Ohanyan has been invited
to Iran. APA reports quoting `Armtoday’ that Iran’s ambassador to
Armenia handed over the invitation to Ohanyan on behalf of Iranian
defense minister Mustafa Muhammad Najjar.
Ohanyan in return extended his congratulations on Mahmoud
Ahmedinejat’s reelection as the president. He expressed confidence
that Armenia-Iran relations would further develop and step into a new
stage.
It should be noted that a tension is observed in Iran-Azerbaijan
relations after the Israeli President’s visit to Azerbaijan. Iran even
recalled its ambassador in Azerbaijan to Tehran. Moreover, Iranian
officials and press expresses strict statements against Azerbaijan.

Susi Kentikian: I must give everything in a fight against Gaite
04.07.2009 15:29 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The unbeaten `Killer Queen’ Susi Kentikian, the
double world champion of the WBA and WIBF at flyweight, will have
another hometown advantage fight when she will step into the ring at
the Color Line Arena on July 4th within the Universum Champions Night
against the WBA world champion at super flyweight, the Argentinean
Carolina Marcela Gutierrez Gaite.
After her great victory in March over Elena Reid at the small
Sporthalle in Hamburg she will now be featured in the fight card in
the big Color Line Arena for the ZDF telecasted "Universum Champions
Night".
`The preparation for this fight ran very well and it will be a new
challenge as I’m boxing against a world champion from a higher weight
class. I must give everything. My last fight against Elena Reid was
important because I saw that I can maintain a high tempo for ten
rounds. It was an important experience,’ Susi Kentikian said.
Her trainer Magomed Schaburow seemed optimistic, `I find it very
courageous that her opponent comes down a weight class and boxes
Susi. As usual, It was an intensive preparation and, as usual, from
the outset Susi will display fireworks!’

BAKO SAHAKYAN: SETTLEMENT IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT FULL PARTICIPATION OF KARABAKH

armradio.am
03.07.2009 11:01

President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakyan met in
Yerevan the OSCE Chairperson-in- Office, Greek Foreign Minister
Dora Bakoyannis.

Issues related to the settlement of the Karabakh conflict were
discussed at the meeting. The Head of State underlined that without
the restoration of the full-fledged negotiation format with direct
participation of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic it is impossible to
reach a comprehensive settlement of the conflict.

The President reiterated Artsakh’s adherence to peaceful settlement
of the conflict within the framework of the Minsk Group, adding at
the same time that the militaristic and anti-Armenian policy of
Azerbaijan is one of the most important hindrances on the way of
solving the issue.

SARKE: NEWSLETTER OF 1 JULY 2009

Girodivite
Thursday 2 July 2009

Economics

TOTAL FOREIGN DEBT OF GEORGIA REDUCED BY 0.1% IN Q1

National Bank of Georgia (NBG) reports that by the state of March 31,
2009, total foreign debt of Georgia amounted to $7.703 billion lari,
which is less by 0.1% compared with the beginning of the year. Out of
which, the governmental sector accounted for the largest share again –
$2.24 billion, which is less by 0.9% compared with the beginning of
the year.

15.49M LARI ENTERED BUDGET FROM MINING LICENSES IN Q1 Georgian Economic
Development Ministry reports that 15.49 million lari was entered the
budget in the 1st quarter of 2009 from issuing licenses for natural
resources use. Out of which, the largest sums were mobilized in March
(7.3 million lari) and in June (5.2 million lari).

NEW CUSTOMS CHECKPOINT WAS OPENED ON GEORGIAN-ARMENIAN BORDER Georgian
Finance Ministry reports that a new customs checkpoint Guguti was
officially opened today on Georgian-Armenian border. Construction
started in November 2007.

FREE ZONE LAUNCHED IN KUTAISI Economic Development Ministry reports
that free industrial zone has been launched in Kutaisi today. The
customs checkpoint was officially started in the zone as well.

business BANK CARTU HAS NOT YET STARTED MASTERING OF EBRD CREDIT LINE
Bank Cartu said that it has not yet started mastering of the credit
line, allotted by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
(EBRD). As the bank told Sarke, those projects are designed at this
stage, which may be financed in terms of the credit line.

SAKHALKHO BANKI OFFERS SOCIAL DEPOSIT Sakhalkho Banki (Peoples Bank)
informs on new Social Deposit, being offered from today. Minimal
initial deposit is 5 lari, annual accrued interest – 16%.

CHINESE JADE CARGO INTERNATIONAL TO CARRY OUT CARGO FLIGHTS VIA GEORGIA
Georgian Single Transport Administration announced that Chinese air
company Jade Cargo International will carry out transit flights via
Georgia since July 2. The matter concerns flights from Frankfurt
(Germany) to Inchon (South Korea).

SAGAREJOGAS TOOK IN LEASE PIPE, LINKING NINOTSMINDA GAS FIELD AND
KHASHMI VILLAGE Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation announced that gas
pipeline, connecting Ninotsminda gas field to village Khashmi, through
which gas main is passing, has been given in lease to Sagarejogas. The
mentioned company was the only participant of auction, announced by
the Corporation on June 16.

MAGTI LEADS IN TERMS OF SUBSCRIBERS’ NUMBER According to data of July
1, 2009 of 3 mobile communication companies, operating in Georgia,
Magti has more than 2 million subscribers, Geocell – more than 1.8
million, while Mobitel (Beeline brand) has 420,000 subscribers. At
that, number of Mobitel’s subscribers increased since the beginning
of the year by 37.7%.

LAND PLOT IN BATUMI IS AUCTIONED AT 1.07M LARI Batumi City Hall
has brought to the auction land plot, located on Queen Tamar
Avenue. Starting price of the plot, making 3,556 square m in area,
amounts to 1.07 million lari.

PART OF LLC SANITARI GLDANI-2000’S PROPERTY SOLD ON AUCTION Tbilisi
Regional Center of Georgian Finance Ministry’s Revenue Service
(Tax Inspection) has informed Sarke that property of LLC Sanitari
Gldani 2000 was sold partially on the yesterday’s auction. To remind,
auction was held for the second time.