Andranik Simonyan has been reappointed as Director of the National Security Service. The order signed by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was published on Thursday.

In a separate decree, Simonyan’s deputy, Aram Hakobyan, was relieved of his duties.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has reappointed State Protection Service Director Artur Gasparyan to the post, according to a decree published online.

Deputy Chairman of the Urban Development Committee Arman Petrosyan has been relieved of his duties.

The order dismissing Petrosyan was signed by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun discussed relations with Armenia and ways to further develop them with Lebanon’s Ambassador to Armenia, Dima Haddad.

In a readout, the Lebanese presidency said that Aoun and Ambassador Haddad also discussed the role of the Lebanese community and its contribution to strengthening ties between Lebanon and Armenia.

“The President of the Republic and Ambassador Haddad also discussed the invitation received from President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan to participate in the Leaders’ Summit to be held in Yerevan on October 16, which will take place ahead of the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity,” the readout said.

ID Bank press release 

Moody’s Ratings has changed the outlook on IDBank’s long-term deposit ratings to positive from stable.

It should be recalled that Moody’s recently affirmed IDBank’s long-term deposit ratings at Ba3, as well as the Bank’s ba3 Baseline Credit Assessment (BCA) and Adjusted BCA, highlighting its solid capital and liquidity buffers, high profitability and continued improvement in asset quality.

The positive outlook reflects the improving operating environment in Armenia, which could contribute to a further upgrade of the Bank’s ratings. According to Moody’s, IDBank will maintain strong solvency and liquidity over the next 12–18 months.

IDBank’s long-term deposit ratings and Baseline Credit Assessment (BCA) are at the same level as the sovereign issuer rating of Armenia.

THE BANK IS SUPERVISED BY THE CBA

The Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces and First Deputy Minister of Defense, Lt. Gen. Edward Asryan, has held a meeting with squad leaders and other senior enlisted servicemembers.

The meeting focused on matters pertaining to military discipline and adherence to the code of conduct.

“During the meeting, issues related to strengthening discipline within the armed forces and combating harmful practices and negative phenomena affecting the military were discussed,” the Defense Ministry said in a press release.

Armenia’s Investigative Committee has announced that it has uncovered a case involving the alleged extortion of property worth $2.5 million and money laundering by businessman and Prosperous Armenia Party leader Gagik Tsarukyan and Sedrak Arustamyan, the former CEO of Tsarukyan-owned Multi Group Concern.

Both Tsarukyan and Arustamyan are already being held in pre-trial detention in a separate, unrelated criminal case.

According to the Investigative Committee, the new case concerns allegations that Tsarukyan and Arustamyan extorted a Lebanese-Armenian businessman’s 50% stake in a jointly owned company, valued at $2.5 million, by threatening violence in 2010. Investigators also allege that the two later concealed the criminal origin of the assets through transactions involving affiliated companies, amounting to money laundering on an especially large scale. Based on the evidence, both men have been charged with extortion on an especially large scale and money laundering.

Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan held a meeting with representatives of Global Tribe Gaming, an international entertainment and gaming company.

The company, in cooperation with the “Dvin” Hotel Complex and “Seven Visions Resort & Places,” plans to develop an international-standard gaming, hospitality, entertainment, and tourism complex in Yerevan.

The total estimated value of the project is approximately USD 500 million, of which USD 40 million is planned to be allocated for the development of adjacent real estate, including the construction of an additional hotel tower, Minister Papoyan said on social media.

The project is expected to create approximately 1,000 jobs.

The parties discussed the implementation of the investment project, as well as issues related to taxation, licensing, regulation, and payment systems in the gaming sector.

Papoyan’s Deputy Edgar Zakaryan, Enterprise Armenia CEO Gohar Abajyan, and Dvin Hotel Complex CEO Artak Tovmasyan also attended the meeting.

Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan awarded Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) President Sam Simonian the 1st Class Order “For Services Rendered to the Homeland.”

The ceremony took place at President Khachaturyan’s office in Yerevan.

Simonian was recognized for his significant contributions to education, science, culture, economic development, and the preservation of Armenian identity, as well as for his long-standing and fruitful service, the President’s office said. 

President Khachaturyan congratulated Simonian, highly praising his long-standing patriotic service. The President wished him good health, new achievements, and continued success in his work.

YEREVAN, 6 AUGUST, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 6 August, USD exchange rate up by 0.11 drams to 366.25 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 0.17 drams to 422.73 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.0152 drams to 4.4889 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 0.04 drams to 493.08 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 1456 drams to 49534 drams. Silver price up by 29.41 drams to 721.41 drams.