UCLA CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN ARMENIA
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 13 2006
LOS ANGELES, APRIL 13, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. “Armenia:
Challenges of Sustainable Development” is the theme of an international
conference to be held at the University of California, Los Angeles
(UCLA), on Saturday, May 6. The conference featuring specialists in
economics, finance, and governance is dedicated to UCLA Professor
Emeritus of Economics, Armen A. Alchian, a world-renowned economist
and teacher who was born in Fresno in 1914 and joined the UCLA faculty
in 1946. The conference is organized by the Armenian Educational
Foundation Chair in Modern Armenian History at UCLA and the Armenian
International Policy Research Group (AIPRG), with support from the UCLA
Von Grunebaum Center for Near Eastern Studies and the Department of
Economics. AEF Chair Holder Richard Hovannisian will open the morning
session with introductory comments on “The Economic Factor,” followed
by the presentation of Professor Alchian and his contributions to
economic theory by a similarly distinguished Professor of Economics,
Harold Demsetz. Enrique Gelband, Deputy Division Chief and former
Mission Chief to Armenia of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), will
give the keynote address on “Growth and Poverty Reduction in Armenia:
Achievements and Challenges,” the title of his recent book published
by the IMF. A panel discussion on the subject will be moderated by
UCLA Professor of Economics Michael Intriligator and include William
Ascher, McKenna Professor of Government and Economics at Claremont
McKenna College; Daniel Mazmanian, Director of the Judith and John
Bedrosian Center on Governance and the Public Enterprise at the
University of Southern California; and Ara Khanjian, Professor of
Economics at Ventura College. The Saturday afternoon session moderated
by Professor Lee Ohanian of the UCLA Department of Economics focuses
on specific topics relating to Armenia’s economic development. David
Grigorian of the IMF will speak on “Tax Potential versus Tax Effort:
Factors behind the Stubbornly Low Tax Collection in Armenia; Bryan
Roberts of the Department of Homeland Security, “Remittances, Poverty,
and Growth in Armenia”; and Nerses Yeritsyan, Central Bank of Armenia,
“Financial Sector Development in Armenia: Problems and Challenges.” A
discussion period will conclude the afternoon session. Richard
Hovannisian stated: “I am pleased that after sixteen wonderful
semi-annual conferences on Historic Armenian Cities and Provinces,
we shifted the focus to contemporary issues in 2005 with ‘The
Enduring Legacy of the Armenian Genocide’ and ‘Three Turkish Voices
on the Armenian Question.’ Now, for the first conference of 2006,
the economic and fiscal challenges facing the Republic of Armenia
will be addressed… The subject of this conference is of critical
importance to Armenia and all those concerned with the welfare of
its people.” The conference is open to the public and free of charge.

FESTIVE EVENTS DEDICATED TO 100th ANNIVERSARY OF AGBU START IN EGYPT
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 13 2006
CAIRO, APRIL 13, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Festive events
dedicated to the 100th anniversary of foundation of the Armenian
General Benevolent Union (AGBU) started on April 12 in Egypt. In
this connection RA Embassy in Cairo organized a reception with
participation of about 400 invitees from numerous countries of
the world. The greeting messages of RA Foreign Minister Vartan
Oskanian and Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu al-Gheyd were
read at the ceremony. The Egyptian Foreign Minister in his message
especially emphasized the important role of Armenians in the history
of Egypt and attached importance to development of Armenian-Egyptian
relations. As Noyan Tapan was informed from RA Foreign Ministry Press
and Information Department, AGBU Chairman Perch Sedrakian, AGBU Cairo
branch Chairman Onik Blektanian, Armenian Ambassador to Egypt Ruben
Karapetian, Deputy Foreign Minister of Egypt, Ambassador Fatma Zahra
made greeting speeches.

DOCUMENTARY BY CANADIAN ARMENIAN AUTHOR AND FILM DIRECTOR HAKOB GUDSUZIAN ENTITLED “MY SON SHALL BE ARMENIAN” SHOWN IN OTTAWA
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 13 2006
OTTAWA, APRIL 13, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On April 11, the
80-minute documentary by Canadian Armenian author and film director
Hakob Gudsuzian entitled “My Son Shall be Armenian” was shown at the
Canadian Libraries’ and Archives’ Institution, on the initiative of
the Ottawa Armenian Youth Unions and with the assistance of a number
of Canadian Armenian organizations and RA Embassy. The film was
produced by the Canadian National Film Board. Studying the idea of
Armenian originality, the author accompanied by 5 Armenian residents
of Montreal, visited Armenia, the country of his ancestors, for the
purpose of collecting testimony from those who have experienced
the Genocide and for passing the viewers his reflections about
the history and future of the Armenian people spread throughout the
world. As Noyan Tapan was informed from RA Foreign Ministry Press and
Information Department, after the showing of the film the viewers
among which there were many people of foreign nationalities (Jews,
residents of Rwanda) had an opportunity to ask the author questions.

ARMENOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM ORGANIZES MEMORY-EVENING DEDICATED TO 91ST ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 13 2006
JERUSALEM, APRIL 13, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. A memory-evening
dedicated to the 91st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide will
be held by the Armenology Department of the Hebrew University of
Jerusalem on April 26. According to the information submitted to
Noyan Tapan by the Armenology Department of the Hebrew University,
Archbishop Torgom Manukian, the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem will
participate in this event of painful memories and self-examination,
but aimed to beleif and optimism. Yossi Sarid, a member of the
Israel Knesset, and Professor Abraham Terian, a famous Armenologist
awarded the “Fullbright” grant will make the main speeches during
the evening. Tsolak Momjian, the Honourary Consul of the Republic of
Armenia and Professor Michael E.Stone, the Chief of the Armenology
Department of the Hebrew University, the organizer of the evening
will aslo make speeches. The reception that will start at 18:30,
and the official event following it at 19:00, will take place in the
“Beit Belgia” subsidiary building of the Givat Ram campus of the
Hebrew University.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY APPROVES REPORT ON IMPLEMENTATION OF 2001-2003 STATE PROPERTY PRIVATIZATION PROGRAM AND PROGRAM OF 2005-2007
Noyan Tapan
Apr 13 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 13, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA National Assembly on April 13
approved with 65 votes in favor, 9 votes against and 10 abstentions the
report on implementation of the 2001-2003 state property privatization
program. Representatives of the United Labor Party (ULP) and Orinats
Erkir factions voted against and abstained from voting. The 19 deputies
who did not participate in the voting were representatives of Justice,
National Unity factions and the People’s Deputy group. At the same
time, a deputy from each of the ULP, Orinats Erkir and the opposition
National Unity factions, which took a negative position the day
before, voted in favor of the report. The parliament also approved
the 2005-2007 state property privatization program with 80 votes
in favor and 5 abstentions. The National Assembly passed in second
reading the draft law on state assistance for innovation activity,
as well as drafts on making amendments and additions to a number of
laws in the sphere of education.

ARMENIAN PRODUCTION EXHIBITION AND ARMENIAN-IRANIAN BUSINESS FORUM TO BE HELD IN MAZANDARAN ON MAY 12-14
Noyan Tapan
Apr 13 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 13, NOYAN TAPAN. An exhibition of Armenian production
and an Armenian-Iranian business forum will be organized in the Iranian
province of Mazandaran on May 12-14. Executive Director of the RA
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) told NT correspondent about
it. In his words, the business forum participants will discuss issues
of setting up joint ventures for fish food production, agricultural
machinery assembly, dried fruit equipment, agricultural produce
processing, building material production, tourism, public catering and
consumer services. With the aim of promoting the activities of such
joint ventures, he underlined the necessity to create intermediary,
information investment infrastructures, which will allow to form
a system for implementation of Armenian-Iranian microecnomic
programs. S. Hovakimian noted that the second Armenian-Iranian
economic forum will be held in Yerevan on June 13-14, during which
it is envisaged to discuss issues related to terms of setting up a
joint investment fund and measures aimed at softening the mutual trade
terms. Executive director of the RA CCI said that the Armenian side
received an invitation to participate in an international universal
exhibition to be held in May in the port of Enzeli that was declared
a free economic zone. The Iranian side expressed a willingness
to allocate free pavilions of 500 square meters for 10 Armenian
enterprises. Besides, the Armenian side was offered to occupy a
total exhibition area of 5 thousand sq.m. during this event. The RA
CCI has chosen 50-60 enterprises in information technologies sector,
agricultural processing, machine-building, fishing industry and other
spheres for participation in this exhibition.

64 COMPANIES PRIVATIZED IN ARMENIA IN 2005
Noyan Tapan
Apr 13 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 13, NOYAN TAPAN. At the April 13 sitting, the RA
government approved that the draft law on approval of the 2005 annual
report on implementation of the state property privatization program,
which will be submitted to the National Assembly in prescribed
order. It was noted that no new program on privatization was adopted
in 2005, so under the RA Law on State Property Privatization,
the RA Law on 2001-2003 State Property Privatization Program was
in force. Taking into account that the 2001, 2002 and 2003 annual
reports on implementation of this program, as well as reports on
the 2001-2003 state property privatization program were submitted
to the RA National Assembly for consideration, the above mentioned
report includes the process of privatization carried out in the
calender year of 2005. Deputy Head of the State Property Management
Department Ashot Markosian told reporters after the sitting that
64 companies were privatized in 2005, with 37 companies being sold
through investment-oriented direct sale, while the remaining ones –
through tender. According to A. Markosian, in 2005, the state budget
revenues from privatization made 75 mln 850 thousand 21 dollars and 1
bln 310,439 mln drams (about 2.9 mln dollars). Besides, the new owners
made investments of 20 mln USD and 20 mln Russian rubles and created
3,680 jobs. The State Property Management Department filed 14 claims to
law courts for nonfulfilment of investment obligations. A. Markosian
pointed out a number of obstacles to implementation of the state
property implementation process, particularly large debts of companies
subject to privatization, as well as the fact that some of the
companies included in the program are in the process of bankruptcy
and their property is being confiscated.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MARTIN SARGSIAN RE-ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Noyan Tapan
Apr 13 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 13, NOYAN TAPAN. Issues related to elections of the
management of the RA Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), amendments
to the CCI Regulations, and approval of the 2006-2010 strategy of
its activities were on the agenda of the 3rd special congress of
the RA Chamber of Commerce and Industry that took place on April
12. CCI Executive Director Samvel Hovakimian told NT correspondent
that the program on construction of a new exhibition center of the
RA CCI to be built in Yerevan, as well as program measures, were
presented during the congress. According to S. Hovakimian, Martin
Sargsian was re-elected Chairman of the RA Chamber of Commerce and
Industry at the congress. Head of the RA CCI Staff Kim Galoyan said
that the amendments to the CCI Regulations were made in compliance
with the new edition (June 2005) of the Law on Chambers of Commerce
and Industry in the RA. According to the new Regulations, the RA CCI
may have honorary members who participate in its activities with
the right of deliberative vote. Besides, it was stipulated that
the RA CCI chairmanship may express no confidence in the regional
CCI chairmans and chairmanships in the event they break their
regulations. In such cases, a congress shall be convened within
two months after no confidence is expressed, with new elections of
chairman and chairmanship to be held. K. Galoyan noted that under
the new edition of the Law on Chambers of Commerce and Industry
in the RA, regional chambers of commerce and industry are reserved
the right to open their offices abroad. Regional CCI may also have
their courts of arbitration, just as the RA CCI. The regulations
and file keeping orders of arbitration courts are approved by the RA
CCI Chairaman. According to the law, term of office of chairmen and
chairmanships of the RA CCI and regional CCI is 5 year instead of the
previous 3-year term of office. Congresses of the RA CCI and regional
CCI shall be convened at least every 5 years instead of every 3 years
as was required previously.

ARTUR BAGHDASARIAN DOES NOT SUPPORT APPROACH THAT EVERYTHING WAS LEGAL DURING PRIVATIZATION PROCESS
Noyan Tapan
Apr 13 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 13, NOYAN TAPAN. The presentation of the report on
implementation of the 2001-2003 state property privatization program
was completed at the RA National Assembly on April 12. The report,
which also includes the privatization process in 2004, will be voted
on April 13. RA NA Speaker Artur Baghdasarian noted in his speech that
he does not support the approach that everything was legal during the
privatization process. According to him, it is also evident from the
facts registered in the annual report of the Control Chamber (CC) to
be discussed in the parliament soon. He promised to send the materials
containing these facts to the Office of the RA Prosecutor General after
the discussion of the CC report. Particularly, the CC has revealed that
the 3 thousand sq.m construction at 67 Hanrapetutyan Str. Yerevan
was sold for $65 a square meter, whereas the market price is no
less than $1,200; the Nairi Cinema – for $40 a sq.m. (market price –
$1,000-1,200), while a 1,840 sq.m construction at the intersection
of Bagramian Avenue and Aygedzor Street was sold for only $50,000,
that is, for $30 a sq.m. (market price – $900-1,000). It was found
as a result of a monitoring of about 200 privatized companies that
only 27 such companies have assumed investment obligations. According
to A. Baghdasarian, most of the companies were privatized by direct
sale at a previosly known price. He also pointed out the absence
of necessary state control over investment obligations assumed
by enterprises. The monitoring of nearly 100 enterprises allowed
the Control Chamber to reveal that obligations of only 37 mln USD
were fulfiled out of a total of 140 mln USD. In his words, while
“selling buildings with one hand”, at the same time the state has to
rent other buildings to ensure the activities of some state bodies,
and the state budget envisages allocations for this purpose.

“ARMINCO” COMPANY RECOGNIZED ONE HAVING PREDOMINANT POSITION IN INTERNET SERVICES MARKET
Noyan Tapan
Apr 13 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 13, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA State Committee on Economic
Competition Protection recongized the “Arminco” company the one having
predominant position in the market of providing internet services. As
they informed from the committee’s Press Service, such a decision
was made at the April 12 sitting of the committee during which the
application got from “ArmenTel” on the occasion of that issue was
discussed. The committee researches found out that more than 1.9 bln
drams service was provided by 10 big internet providers during 2005,
37.1% of what falls to lot of “Arminco”. According to shares, the
“Netsys” (18.1%), “Kornet-AM” (15.6%), “Exolt” (14.5%), “Web” (9.8%)
companies follow “Arminco.” 454.6 mln drams service was provided by
21 economy entities acting in the market of international services of
satellite getting of data (getting of data with the help of satellite
to provide internet service to user). But none of them, according to
the research, occupies more than 33.3% of the market, though there
is no economy entity having predominant position in this market. It
was also found out, that only “ArmenTel” provides services of line
rented for exchanging data, just which was considered the one having
a predominant position in that market.