ARMENIA AND INDIA HAVE GREAT POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPMENT OF TRADE AND ECONOMIC RELATIONS

Noyan Tapan
Mar 20 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 20, NOYAN TAPAN. The visit of the Indian representative
business delegation headed by the RA Honorary Consul Harshad Mehta
in Mumbai (former Bombay) shows that the sides have a considerable
intention to strengthen the existing links. RA Deputy Foreign Mininster
Armen Bayburtian stated this during his welcoming speech at the
Armenian-Indian business forum that opened at the Armenian Development
Agency (ADA) on March 20. According to him, the Honorary Consulate
of Armenia in Mumbai that opened last year has already generated the
first results of its activities. 36 representatives of various Armenian
companies and departments and 18 representatives of the Indian side
are participating in the event. Mrs. Reena Pandey, the Extraordinary
and Plenipotentairy Amabassador of India to Armenia, said that trade
turnover between the two states has grown by 50% in recent year and
this growth tendency is continuing, since there are opportunities for
cooperation, particularly in such spheres as metallurgy, information
technologies, film making industry, pharmaceutics, jewelry making,
precios stone cutting, tourism, and food industry.

(According to the RA official data, in 2005 the trade turnover
between the sides made about 15.9 mln USD. As of late 2005, 50
legal entities were operating in Armenia with Indian capital – with
investments of about 1.1 mln USD). The ambassador noted that issues
of economic cooperation development will be discussed at the sitting
of the Armenian-Indian intergovernmental commission in Yerevan this
year. The RA Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentairy to India
Ashot Kocharian underlined that the programs on joint work of the
Honorary Consulate of Armenia in Mumbai, the Armenian embassy in India
and the Indian embassy in Armenia have alrady been worked out. Harshad
Mehta, Honorary Consul of Armenia in Mumbai, promised that the office
headed by him will do everything to promote economic cooperation
between the two countries. He pointed out the already formed efficient
cooperation in the precious stone cutting sector. According to RA
Deputy Minister of Trade and Economic Development Tigran Davtian,
there is a great potential for developing the trade and economic
relations between Armenia and India. The two countries have entered
a stage of sustainable dynamic development, with almost the same
branches being considered as leading ones both in the economies of
Armenia and India. According to him, the annual export volumes of
India’s information and high technology enterprises have exceeded
10 bln USD, while at one time this index made only 50-100 mln USD,
as currently in case of Armenia. T. Davtian said that having arrived
in Armenia on March 18, the members of the Indian business delegation
have already had a number of meeting with the Armenian partners,
thanks to which some agreements have been reached. The representatives
of the Indian business delegation will continue their meetings with
Armenian businessmen on March 21.

YEREVAN’S MASTER PLAN DEVELOPMENT WORK SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO REGULAR ANALYSIS

Noyan Tapan
Mar 20 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 20, NOYAN TAPAN. Yerevan Mayor’s Office has already
developed the program on the Master Plan’s project measures, which
includes legal acts and other program documents. Samvel Danielian,
Chief Architect of Yerevan, said at the March 20 press conference
that altough the development of the Master Plan is gradually becoming
a reality, the whole process should be always supervised and subject
to a regular analysis. According to him, first of all, the projects of
the territorial plans of Yerevan’s aglomeration (the city’s connection
with adjacent marzes) and suburb zone should be worked out, as well as
the sketch and project proposals for building up all the communities
in Yerevan. Particularly, according to S. Daniaelian, the projects of
building up Kozern and Silikian districts, the areas adjacent to the
Mars Plant and Tsitsernakaberd motorway should be worked out. It was
noted that the work on development of the area adjacent to Surb Grigor
Lusavorich Mother Cathedral, and the 30th district (the so-called
“Firdusnots”) has been finished. The Chief Architect noted that this
year it is also envisaged to develop the zoning projects of Yerevan’s
Kentron, Ajapniak, Davtashen and Arabkir communities, while the zoning
projects of the remaining communities of Yerevan will be developed
in 2007.

TENDER FOR DEVELOPMENT WORK IN KOZERN DISTRICT TO BE HELD

Noyan Tapan
Mar 20 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 20, NOYAN TAPAN. A tender for development work in
Yerevan’s Kozern district will be announced in late March. Chief
Architect of Yerevan Samvel Danielian stated this at the March 20 press
conference. In his words, this district was announced a development
area long ago, and a development project proposal has already been
prepared. According to the Chief Architect, it is envisaged to
construct 5-6 storied apartment buildings in the Kozern district.

GDP GROWS BY 7% IN ARMENIA IN JANUARY-FEBRUARY

Noyan Tapan
Mar 20 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 20, NOYAN TAPAN. GDP grew by 7% in Armenia in
January-February 2006 on the same months of last year and made 164
bln 414.2 mln drams (about 365.4 mln USD). The GDP index-deflator
made 98.7%. According to the RA National Statistical Service, the
industrial prduction declined by 0.6% to 89 bln 602.4 mln drams in
January-February 2006 on the same period of last year, while industrial
production without diamond prodcution grew by 2.5% to 89 bln 169.6
mln drams. The gross agricultural output grew by 2.7% to 24 bln 538.2
mln drams, construction – by 14.5% to 12 bln 692.7 mln drams, retail
trade – by 6.9% to 91 bln 130.5 mln drams, and the services provided
increased by 19.8% to 58 bln 684.5 mln drams. The RA foreign trade
grew by 5.1% on January-February of last year and made 364.6 mln USD,
with exports growing by 4.2% to 113.4 mln USD, and imports – by 5.6%
to 251.1 mln USD. The foreign trade without diamonds grew by 14.4%
to 301.8 mln USD, exports -by 12.3% to 84.3 mln USD, and imports –
by 15.2% to 217.4 mln USD. The consumer prices declined by 1.5% in
January-February 2006 on the same months of 2005, and the index of
manufa cturer prices made 92.7%. The monetary incomes of the population
grew by 14% in January-February 2006 on the same months of last year
and made 196 bln 703.7 mln drams, while the expenditures – by 12.7%
to 208 bln 922.1 mln drams.

The average nominal monthly salary amounted to 55.146 thousand
drams (grew by 19.3%), including salary of budget employees – 39.959
thousand drams (22%), of non-budget employees – 67.365 thousand drams
(18.1%). The average exchange rate of a US dollar made 450.93 drams
in January-February, and 457.69 drams in 2005. The number of the
unemployed officially registered in Armenia as of late February 2006
made 89.4 thousand, declining by 15.9% compared with the respective
index of last year.

HRACHIK SARGSIAN ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF RA UNION OF JUDGES

Noyan Tapan
Mar 20 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 20, NOYAN TAPAN. Chairman of first instance court of
Armavir region Hrachik Sargsian was reelected Chairman of RA Union
of Judges at the Union’s general meeting. Davit Avetisian, judge
of RA Cassation Court’s Chamber on Criminal and Military Cases, and
Varuzhan Abelian, judge of Cassation Court’s Chamber on Economic and
Civil Cases, were elected Union’s Vice-Chairmen.

9 members of Union Council and 3 members of Control Commission were
also elected. On March 18, the general meeting estimated the work
done by RA Union of Judges in 2004-2006 as good. The general meeting
formed a working group that is to study RA bill “RA Judicial Code”
and submit a conclusion. It was mentioned at the meeting that RA
Union of Judges became a full member of the International Union of
Judges in 2005 November in Montevideo. Among CIS countries Moldova,
Georgia, the Ukraine, Kazakhstan are members of the latter.

“HAYASTAN” ALL ARMENIAN FUND TO IMPLEMENT PROGRAMS OF MAJOR REPAIRS OF 3 SPORTS INSTITUTIONS IN YEREVAN THIS YEAR

Noyan Tapan
Mar 20 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 20, NOYAN TAPAN. This year the “Hayastan” All Armenian
Fund will implement a program of major repairs at Yerevan sports
institutions – Sports Center of National Teams, Children’s Olympic
Sports School of Gymnastics after Hrant Shahinian, State College of
Olympic Teams. As Noyan Tapan was informed from fund’s Public Relations
Department, in addition to this, within the framework of the program a
new building will be built for Yerevan Children’s Shooting School. The
projecting of the 4 above-mentioned sports institutions’ construction
is underway at present. It will be summed up in the coming days. It’s
envisaged to finish the construction in November this year.

NUMBER OF THOSE STUDYING FRENCH LANGUAGE DECREASES IN LAST DECADE IN ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
Mar 20 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 20, NOYAN TAPAN. March 20 is the International Day of
Francophonie. On this day one-week events dedicated to the French
language and culture start in 63 countries of the world which are
real members of the Francophonie International Organization or
have a status of observer in the organization. 53 countries are
real members of the organization and another 10, including Armenia,
have a status of observer since 2004. As Noyan Tapan was informed by
Susan Gharamian, Director of Francophonie International Organization
Armenian center, Alliance Francaise, the per cent of people studying
French has decreased in the last 10 years in Armenia. At present it
amounts to 12 and the number of those studying English increased up
to 80%. According to the Alliance Francaise Director, a number of
events will be held in Armenia in connection with the International
Day of Francophonie. A contest of knowledge of practical French will
be held on March 21 on the initiative of the Association of Support to
Practical French Language, with participation of students of Armenian
higher schools. This contest is annual and the winner will leave for
Paris next year to take part in the Week of Francophonie. A written
contest “Golden Feather” will be held on March 22. 3 works will be
selected out of the best 15 ones. They will be sent to Paris where
the author of one work will be recognized the winner. An intellectual
game in French, by individual and team variants, will be held on March
23. On March 26, a 24-hour virual contest of compositions will be held
on the initiative of the “Paris-4” and “Paris-5” Universities. Students
of higher schools and persons of other specialities studying French
can take part in it. The subjects of the compositions will be sent
once every two hours by Internet by these two Universities. The
best works will be placed on the web site of the Francophonie
International Organization, as well as on the site of the Alliance
Francaise. Besides, according to S.Gharamian, a number of cultural
events will be also held jointly with the French Embassy in Armenia.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ABOUT 71% OF UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE IN ARMENIA ARE WOMEN

Noyan Tapan
Mar 20 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 20, NOYAN TAPAN. As of March 1, the level of
unemployment in Armenia made 7.6% what reduced compared with the same
day of the previous year by 1.6%. As the Noyan Tapan correspondent was
informed by the “RA Employment Service” agency, women make the 70.8% of
those unemployed. At present demand of qualified computer programmers,
clerks, doctors (in marzes), translators (especially of the English
language), insurance agents, brokers, tailors, turners, welders,
milling-machine operators, carpet makers, jewellers, specialists of
the service sphere is high in the labour market. But working places for
some professions remain vacant, mainly because of the low salary. 1303
people looking for job were given work in February. Women make 59.2%
of them. It was also mentioned that as of March 1, 5341 unemployed
people got unemployment benefit.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TURKISH WORKERS’ PARTY MEMBERS PROTEST AGAINST GERMANY IN ISTANBUL

Anatolia news agency, Ankara
20 Mar 06

Istanbul, 20 March: A group of members of the Workers’ Party (IP)
held a protest in front of the German Consulate General on Monday
[20 March].

They accused Germany of rejecting to issue visas for 200 Turkish
intellectuals who wanted to attend the rally organized by the ‘Talat
Pasha Movement’ in Berlin on Saturday to protest German parliament’s
recent decision on the so-called Armenian genocide.

They chanted slogans against the German government and German
Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The demonstration ended peacefully.

CURRENT AND LONG-TERM PROJECTS IN THE FOCUS OF ATTENTION
Srbuhi Vanian

Azat Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
19 March 2006

Territorial management and development of infrastructures is one of
the broa d spheres of government’s activity. We tried to find out what
problems there are in this sphere and what efforts the government makes
to solve them during our interview with Armo Tsaturian, Minister of
territorial management and development of infrastructures. ENERGY. Armo
Tsaturian said this year 250 million drams is foreseen for the energy
sector. 40 million will be allocated to Stepanakert, 23 million to
Askeran region, 28 million to Martakert, 29 million to Martuni, 26
million to Hadrut, 6 million to Shushi and 54 million to Shahumian
regions. The rest will be spent on the reconstruction of the 35
kW substation of Maghavuz. With regard to specific programmes to be
implemented on this money, the minister said in Karabakh there are only
several communities in the regions of Kashatagh and Shahumian which do
no thave supply of electricity, therefore this sum will mainly be spent
on the reconstruction of substations. “In the post-war years there were
shortcomings in the operation of substations due to a lack of money,
and now these gaps need to be filled,” said Armo Tsaturian. According
to him, there is a lot of work to do at the substation of Sarsang,
as well as it is necessary to replace transmission lines and towers,
which often cause fires and accidents. The minister thinks that the
money provided from the state budget is not enough for the whole
work (by his estimate 800 million drams is required). Last year the
money spent on the energy sector was more, 400 million drams, and the
minister said the expenditure was targeted. On the whole, the minister
assessed the work of Artsakhenergo as positive. Armo Tsaturian said
the losses in the grid were reduced thanks to the measures taken by
the company, the collection of payments for electricity increased as
well. GASIFICATION. The government has adopted a 2001 – 2010 policy of
gasification. The gasifying of the country is planned to be finished
in 2010. This year the government will allocate 400 million drams for
gasifying. 150 million will be provided for the regions of Martuni
and Hadrut each.

Less money is foreseen for Stepanakert, Shushi and Askeran. Armo
Tsaturian, Minister of Territorial Management and Development of
Infrastructures, said the town of Berdzor, Kashatagh region was
included in the gasification program.

The government will provide 50 million drams for Kashatagh. This
year less money was provided for gasifying compared to the previous
year. In 2005 455 million drams was invested in the energy sector,
332.2 million was provided from the state budget, the rest was
invested by Artsakhgas. Last year the amount of consumed gas totaled
16.2 million cubic meters, increasing by 21.8 per cent since the year
2004. There are no final figures for this year. TRANSPORT.

The state of transport is serious. The minister of territorial
management and development of infrastructures Armo Tsaturian said
the problems are many.

The routes have not been regulated duly. In Stepanakert certain routes
are overloaded, whereas in the suburbs people often have to wait for
an hour for their only or a pair of minibuses. Safe transportation of
passengers is another issue. The minister said in August the minibus
routes will be put out to tender. Armo Tsaturian said with regard
to this there will occur problems because in accordance with the law
the cars aged 15 and more cannot participate in the tender. Besides,
the companies that participate in the tender must own 60 per cent of
the car pool. Such companies will hardly be found in the republic.

This has caused anxiety among companies because their car pools are
old. We have information that a complaint was lodged with the National
Assembly, signed by 70 drivers. Minister Armo Tsaturian mentioned
that they had not received such a letter of complaint but they are
ready to study and discuss the issue with the parliament. In answer
to our anxiety that people’s security is concerned and any concession
may harm their security, the minister said it is impossible to give
a hasty answer to such an urgent issue. Armo Tsaturian said there
will hopefully be interesting proposals during the debates at the
National Assembly. He said the distribution of the minibus routes
will be carried out by the City Hall. “The relevant department of
the Ministry cooperates with the City Hall to settle this issue,”
he said. The coach routes are also a problem. According to Armo
Tsaturian, despite the lack of money, the government tries to provide
every community with transport. Since the government has a program of
development of tourism, which would be greatly promoted by airlines,
we wondered if the government takes any steps to provide this type
of communication. Armo Tsaturian says this question has a political
context rather than an economic one, and he thinks that its solution
is related with the settlement of the Karabakh conflict, for our plane
would have to cross the airspace of Azerbaijan, which is not safe. The
minister said, however, that certain companies are already interested
in this, although the minister thinks it is early to consider the
ways of solving this question. TOURISM. This year for the first time
the government adopted a programme of development of tourism, which
supposes the establishment of an information and promotion system,
provides for the participation of NKR in different expositions,
and cooperation.

The government has allocated 2 million drams for this purpose. The
Artsakh Development Agency participated in Armenian Expo 2005
in Yerevan and presented the opportunities of tourism in Nagorno
Karabakh Republic. Recently the Ministry of Territorial Management
of Development of Infrastructures has started cooperating with
the Agency on Development of Tourism in Armenia. They arranged to
include information about the opportunities of tourism in Artsakh
in their programmes and to promote them outside Armenia. Besides,
Artsakh Development Agency is working out an information base, one
of the directions of which will be the opportunities of tourism
in NKR. TELECOM. Karabakh Telecom and establishment of cellular
communication in NKR marked the beginning of fundamental reforms in
the sphere of telecommunication. Although, according to the minister
of territorial management and development of infrastructures said,
recently the quality of cellular communication, as well as the
fixed-line telephone has gone down. Armo Tsaturian said soon the
digitalization of the fixed-line telephone in Stepanakert will
start. Negotiations with Karabakh Telecom began last year. The
renovation of the fixed-line telephone network in the country will
cost 4.5 million dollars. As to cellular communication, Armo Tsaturian
said 2-2.5 million dollars will be invested in this sphere. Last year
Karabakh Telecom invested 60 million drams. The number of cellular
base stations reached 17 from 14. This year another 7 base stations
will be placed. Armo Tsaturian said the availability of the Public TV
channels of Armenia and Artsakh grew from 80 to 90-95 per cent. The
minister said the government intends to involve private companies
to carry out reforms in this sphere. The aim of the programme is to
enable people watch more and higher quality programmes.