http://arka.am Wed, 22 May 2013 20:19:04 +0400 60 http://arka.am/upload/iblock/317/31722d9f6f94a664dca028d9d20017ea.png http://arka.am 247 58 http://arka.am/en/news/society/yerevan_municipality_selecting_best_entry_for_yerevan_brand_contest/ Yerevan City Hall is summing up the results of the Best Brand for Yerevan contest, Novosti-Armenia reported. Society/ <div>YEREVAN, May 22./ARKA/. Yerevan City Hall is summing up the results of the Best Brand for Yerevan contest, Novosti-Armenia reported.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>The tender which is aimed at developing new concepts for Yerevan city design and outdoor ads was announced on 15 November 2012. All the interested organizations, companies and individuals could submit their entries till 1 February. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div> &ldquo;Our goal is, first of all, to reveal the potential of those authors who realize the importance of designing  a brand for Yerevan, as well as to learn the public opinion on this issue. The results will be announced in the next few days,&rdquo; said Araz Baghdasaryan, director of outdoor design and advertisement department at Yerevan City Hall. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>On her side, Natasha Grand, expert at Maeutica branding company, said the appropriate brand of a city will make that city recognizable to everyone at any moment.  </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>“Our goal is to make Yerevan more attractive for investors and tourists,” she clarified at a news conference on Wednesday. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>INSTID Russia, a representative of Maeutica company, implements its projects in Russia, Armenia and Georgia. It will also be responsible for the new design of Yerevan. Main designer of Yerevan Gaga Amatuni noted that brand creation is a long-lasting process which can last for several years. Amatuni clarified this process includes development of symbols, concepts and systems, and each step should meet this concept and system. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>The contest organizers also informed they had received 30 entries from companies and individuals. The best entry can be used for the capital&rsquo;s new design, they added. &mdash;0- </div> Wed, 22 May 2013 18:52:02 +0400 http://arka.am/en/news/society/whitefish_reserves_in_armenian_lake_sevan_hit_just_6_5_tons_expert/ Some 6.5 tons of the whitefish remains in Armenia’s Lake Sevan, and this figure is dwindling year over year, said Bardukh Gabrielyan, director of Zoology and Hydro ecology Research Center of the National Academy of Sciences. Society/ <div>YEREVAN, May 22./ARKA/. Some 6.5 tons of the whitefish remains in Armenia&rsquo;s Lake Sevan, and this figure is dwindling year over year, said Bardukh Gabrielyan, director of Zoology and Hydro ecology Research Center of the National Academy of Sciences. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>&ldquo;In the late 1980s and early  1990s, the lake’s whitefish reserve reached nearly 30,000 tons. In 2011 there were 8.5 tons, last year the reserve dwindled to minimum of nearly 6.5 tons. We are not already counting in thousands but just tons&hellip; If this trend goes on, in the near future we can lose all the reserves of this fish,&rdquo; he said at a news conference responding to Novosti-Armenia. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Gabrielyan clarified such a dramatic tumble of the reserves of whitefish and other endemic fish spices, including the trout, in Sevan  is first of all caused by the often poaching cases.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>“The whitefish matures when it is almost 2 years old. Meanwhile, the poachers usually catch the small fishes which haven’t reached the age of 1.5 yet, haven’t manage to spawn yet and fulfill their reproductive function,” he noted.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Gabrielyan also informed besides poachers, the whitefish was negatively impacted by new species of fish released to the lake, specifically the Amur chabachok and Armenian Alburnoides bipunctatus. These species feed on the same as the whitefish, thus creating severe competition.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Another cause is poor measures to ensure purity of the lake, according to him.  </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>In reference to that, Gabrielyan added in order to increase the whitefish reserves in Sevan, it is necessary to take all the complex measures in order to improve socio-economic conditions for the region’s residents, so as to reduce poaching and release higher number of whitefish whitebait into the lake. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Lake Sevan, one of the largest alpine lakes in Europe and Asia, is located in the heart of the Armenian plateau, at an altitude of 1914 meters. The lake stretches over 70 kilometers from northwest to southeast. Its water surface area is nearly 1500 square kilometers. The lake is the main source of drinking water in the region. By 2030, the lake’s level will be raised to 1903.5 meters. -0- </div> <div> <br /> </div> Wed, 22 May 2013 18:36:58 +0400 http://arka.am/en/news/society/armenian_energy_minister_iranian_natural_gas_can_t_be_alternative_to_russian/ Iranian natural gas can’t be an alternative to Russian gas, Armenian Energy and Natural Resources Minister Armen Movsisyan said at the forum the United States’ Embassy in Armenia held Wednesday for discussing prospects for Armenian energy industry’s development and issues related to renewable energy. Society/ <div>YEREVAN, May 22. /ARKA/. Iranian natural gas can&rsquo;t be an alternative to Russian gas, Armenian Energy and Natural Resources Minister Armen Movsisyan said at the forum the United States’ Embassy in Armenia held Wednesday for discussing prospects for Armenian energy industry’s development and issues related to renewable energy. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>&ldquo;Iranian gas is more expensive than Russian,&rdquo; he said. “It means Iranian gas can’t be an alternative in the region,” he said answering the question about Armenia’s dependence on Russia’s natural gas. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>The minister also said that Armenia will continue buying Russian gas at $180 per 1,000 cubic meters while the negotiations are under way. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Denying the allegation that Iran-Armenia gas pipeline has been handed over to ArmRosgazprom under pressure from Russia, he said that there was no any pressure from Russia, and ArmRosgazprom was technically fit to run the Iran pipeline. That is why it was senseless to create new facilities for that.    </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Movsisyan added that the government handed over, not sold the gas pipeline.  </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>In recent days, ArmRosgazprom and Transgaz LLC asked the regulator to revise upward the current tariff for Russian natural gas. They want to raise the price for consumers using up to 10 thousand cubic meters a month from current 132,000 drams per one thousand cubic meters (including VAT) to 221,000 drams.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Armenia currently buys 1,000 cubic meters of Russian gas for $180.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>In 2004, the Armenian government initiated construction of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline, which started functioning in 2007. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>ArmRosgazprom CJSC, established in 1997, enjoys the sole right for importing and distributing Russian natural gas in Armenia. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Russia conveys its gas to Armenia through Georgia.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>The company’s shareholders are Russia’s Gazprom and the Armenian government. -0-</div> Wed, 22 May 2013 17:40:22 +0400 http://arka.am/en/news/incidents/iranian_citizen_recovers_damage_to_armenian_environment/ Armenia’s office of prosecutor general said a damage caused by a traffic incident involving an Iranian citizen to Armenia’s environment that was estimated at 4.2 billion drams, was entirely recovered. Incidents/ <div>YEREVAN, May 22. / ARKA /. Armenia&rsquo;s office of prosecutor general said a damage caused by a traffic incident involving an Iranian citizen to Armenia’s environment that was estimated at 4.2 billion drams, was entirely recovered.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>According to the prosecutor general office, an Iranian citizen, Basirat  Sayedmortaza, who was transporting concentrated bleach to Armenia, breached traffic rules on  the 5th of May 2013 near the town of Kapan in the southern Armenia. As a result his truck flipped over, causing a leak from the tanker. The bleach damaged part of the road and flew into the river of Vokhchi, killing its fish. -0-</div> Wed, 22 May 2013 17:36:36 +0400 http://arka.am/en/news/economy/early_settlement_of_karabakh_conflict_vital_for_armenian_economy_russian_expert/ Early settlement of Karabakh conflict and lifting of blockade are of vital importance to Armenia and its economy, head of post-soviet studies institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences Leonid Vardomskiy said in his interview to ARKA. Economy/ <div>YEREVAN, May 22. /ARKA/. Early settlement of Karabakh conflict and lifting of blockade are of vital importance to Armenia and its economy, head of post-soviet studies institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences Leonid Vardomskiy said in his interview to ARKA.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>&ldquo;Armenia lacks regional cooperation; it is unable to use that resource and suffers losses. That is why industry is growing, but population&rsquo;s income is not. That’s the problem&rdquo;, Vardomskiy said.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>According to the expert, it is Azerbaijan who benefits fr om the status quo, not Armenia suffering an increased migration.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Yet, Vardomskiy stressed, Armenia have been in top three CIS countries in industry output in the last years, owing to its metallurgy and food industry sectors.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>“Exports of software products are rapidly growing. There is also potential in jewelry, so the processes are under way. Armenia is a country with ancient culture, traditions and a huge civilization potential &ndash; it will survive under any circumstances”, Vardomskiy said.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>According to the official statistics, Armenia’s industry output grew by 8.8% to over 1,120.4 billion drams in January-December 2012 compared to the same period of the year before.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>The Karabakh conflict started in 1988 when prevailingly Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh declared withdrawal from Azerbaijan. On December 10, 1991, a referendum was held in Nagorno-Karabakh wh ere 99.89% voted for independence from Azerbaijan.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Azerbaijan responded by large-scale military operations that led to loss of control not only over Nagorno-Karabakh itself, but also over seven adjoining areas. About 25-30 thousands people were killed and about a million had to leave their homes during the military operations.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>A trilateral cease-fire agreement was signed on May 12, 2004, and has been followed since then.</div> <div>The ongoing Karabakh peace process started in 1992 under auspices of OSCE Minsk Group co-chaired by the USA, Russia and France. ($1=417.08drams). –0&mdash;</div> Wed, 22 May 2013 17:33:26 +0400 http://arka.am/en/news/politics/armenia_goes_on_seeking_for_peaceful_settlement_of_karabakh_conflict_despite_azerbaijan_s_destructiv/ In spite of Azerbaijan’s destructive and provocative actions, Armenia jointly with the international community continue undertaking efforts towards the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said Wednesday giving a speech at Oxford University. Politics/ <div>YEREVAN, May 22./ARKA/. In spite of Azerbaijan&rsquo;s destructive and provocative actions, Armenia jointly with the international community continue undertaking efforts towards the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said Wednesday giving a speech at Oxford University. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>&ldquo;In contrast to Armenia, Azerbaijan hasn’t recognized the fundamental principles and settlement elements as an organic whole up to these days. Baku has rejected all the options for the settlement principles proposed by the Minsk Group co-chairs, particularly, the last one on the summit in Kazan (June 2011), and at the meetings in Sochi (March 2011), Astana (October 2011) and St. Petersburg (June 2010),&rdquo; Ministry of Foreign Affairs quoted Nalbandian as saying. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>He noted Baku has also rejected the measures related to trust enhancement proposed by the Minsk Group and supported by the international community. Specifically, these measures referred to ceasefire strengthening, removing snipers from the contact lines, investigating the incidents on the contact lines when the ceasefire regime was violated. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Nalbandian said Azerbaijan is constantly applying to the provocations on the contact line with Nagorno-Karabakh and the border with Armenia thus escalating the situation and causing new deaths. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>“Even though the co-chairs are constantly calling upon the sides to prepare their peoples to peace rather than war, Azerbaijani authorities, on the highest official level, go on with arms race, war threats, bellicose statements, xenophobic rhetoric and provocative actions,” Nalbandian said. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>The conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh broke out in 1988 after the predominantly Armenian-populated enclave declared about secession from Azerbaijan. As Azerbaijan declared its independence from the Soviet Union and removed the powers held by the enclave's government, the Armenian majority voted in 1991, December 10, to secede from Azerbaijan and in the process proclaimed the enclave the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Full-scale fighting, initiated by Azerbaijan, erupted in the late winter of 1992. International mediation by several groups including Europe's OSCE  failed to bring an end resolution that both sides could work with. In the spring of 1993, Armenian forces captured regions outside the enclave itself. By the end of the war in 1994, the Armenians were in full control of most of the enclave and also held and currently control seven regions beyond the administrative borders of Nagorno-Karabakh.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Almost 1 million people on both sides have been displaced as a result of the conflict. A Russian- -brokered ceasefire was signed in May 1994 and peace talks, mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group, have been held ever since by Armenia and Azerbaijan.-0-</div> Wed, 22 May 2013 17:25:52 +0400 http://arka.am/en/news/society/diversified_energy_supply_to_ensure_energy_security_in_armenia_u_s_ambassador/ Diversified&nbsp;&nbsp;energy supply resources in Armenia will ensure&nbsp;&nbsp;energy security and meet the domestic demand, said John Heffern, U.S. ambassador to Armenia, on Wednesday. Society/ <div>YEREVAN, May 22./ARKA/. Diversified  energy supply resources in Armenia will ensure  energy security and meet the domestic demand, said John Heffern, U.S. ambassador to Armenia, on Wednesday.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Today, Armenia doesn&rsquo;t have any energy resources and is in a very difficult state, that’s why, according to Heffern, it is necessary to diversify energy  supply via various resources and meet the domestic demand.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>At the forum on the future of Armenia’s energy sector, which was organized by the U.S. Embassy, Heffern also noted the world is today challenged by energy production issue, and all the countries are experiencing troubles here seeking to strengthen their  energy security <br /> . There are alternative energy resources in Armenia though, he added. He singled out hydropower plants.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Heffern stated the U.S. support Armenia in the efforts to develop renewable energy while using alternative energy resources. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Responding to whether Armenia should import the natural gas from Iran, the U.S. ambassador said numerous governments had imposed sanctions against Iran, and Armenia, as a UN member, respects these sanctions, and the U.S., in turn, welcome these steps of Armenian government. </div> <div> </div> <div>As to the political will of Russia related to raising the natural gas price, Heffern abstained from commenting. He, however, noted that this is a very important and public issue which should be made maximally transparent.  </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>On his side, Armen Movsisyan, Armenia’s minister of energy and natural resources, highlighted the gas price is linked to the export policy of the states, and the possible hikes in the gas tariff for Armenia is still under discussions. </div> <div> </div> <div>On May 14, Armenia-based ArmRosgazprom CJSC and Transgaz Ltd. requested Armenia’s Public Services Regulatory Commission to re-evaluate the current natural gas tariff. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>The natural gas tariff is subject to reviewing for the consumers who use up to 10,000 cubic m per month, over 10,000 cubit m per month, for the services of gas supply operator (ArmRosgazprom), gas distribution (ArmRosgazprom) and gas delivery (Transgaz and ArmRosgazprom). </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>The tariff per each thousand of cubic meters for the consumers who use up to 10,000 cubic m per month is requested to increase from 132,000 (including VAT)  to 221,000 drams (including VAT). At present, Armenia buys Russian gas at 180 dollars per 1,000 cubic meters, the tariff for consumers is 132 drams (about 32 cents).&mdash;0-</div> Wed, 22 May 2013 15:18:41 +0400 http://arka.am/en/news/society/armenia_s_president_congratulates_aznavour/ Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan sent a congratulatory message to a world-renowned Armenian French chanson singer Charles Aznavour who is turning 89 today. Society/ <div>YEREVAN, May 22. /ARKA/. Armenia&rsquo;s President Serzh Sargsyan sent a congratulatory message to a world-renowned Armenian French chanson singer Charles Aznavour who is turning 89 today.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>&ldquo;Dear Charles, you are one of our times’ greatest artists.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>I wish you health, the strength and vigor of a youth, to continue the glorious creative and social activities which you have carried out to this day.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>We love you and are proud of you,&rdquo; President Sargsyan’s message reads, in particular.&ndash;0&mdash;</div> Wed, 22 May 2013 15:16:08 +0400 http://arka.am/en/news/business/vtb_bank_armenia_equipped_its_branches_with_devices_reading_id_card_data/ VTB Bank &#40;Armenia&#41; reported Wednesday it had equipped its branches with the devices which automatically read the data from ID cards in Armenia. Business/ <div>YEREVAN, May 22./ARKA/. VTB Bank (Armenia) reported Wednesday it had equipped its branches with the devices which automatically read the data from ID cards in Armenia.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>This new innovation was introduced in terms of the bank&rsquo;s customer service optimization process. </div> <div>These devices read personal data of the bank clients from their ID cards and automatically enter this data into the banking system.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>&ldquo;This innovative solution reduces time for the clients to open banking accounts, apply for cards, open deposits,&rdquo; the bank stated.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>CEO of VTB Bank (Armenia) Yuri Gusev said the bank is following a step-by-step policy of rolling out innovations in the banking service.</div> <div> </div> <div>The innovations, according to him, relate to not only new products or improvement of the old ones, but also to optimization of  the business process. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>“Coming up with new products and services at the Armenian market, at the same time we are introducing the systems which create infrastructure for improving the existing business processes of the bank and contribute to the gradual advancement of the customer service at the branches,” the bank quoted Gusev as saying. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>VTB Bank (Armenia) CJSC became  a member of international financial Group VTB in April 2004. Currently the second largest in Russia VTB Bank (OJSC) owns 100% of the shares of VTB Bank (Armenia). The bank traditionally ranks among the leaders of the banking system of RA in a number of key indicators. Now the Bank has the largest branch network in the country - 67 branches.&mdash;0-</div> Wed, 22 May 2013 15:14:21 +0400 http://arka.am/en/news/incidents/one_injured_in_a_six_car_accident_in_armenia/ A major car accident occurred in Armenia Tuesday on Yerevan-Abovyan highway with one man injured, the country’s ministry of emergencies reported. Six cars, a VAZ-21099, a VAZ-33022, two Ford Transit, a VAZ-2106 and a Mercedes collided yesterday around 11:00 pm. A squad of the ministry of emergencies was sent to the accident place. Incidents/ <div>YEREVAN, May 22. /ARKA/. A major car accident occurred in Armenia Tuesday on Yerevan-Abovyan highway with one man injured, the country&rsquo;s ministry of emergencies reported. Six cars, a VAZ-21099, a VAZ-33022, two Ford Transit, a VAZ-2106 and a Mercedes collided yesterday around 11:00 pm. A squad of the ministry of emergencies was sent to the accident place.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>A passenger of VAZ-21099 26-year-old Stepan Shahumyan was transferred to Surb Lusavorich medical center in Yerevan. According to doctors, he is in a serious but stable condition.&ndash;0&mdash;</div> Wed, 22 May 2013 15:12:37 +0400 http://arka.am/en/news/in_the_world/oklahoma_tornado_damage_likely_to_exceed_joplin_reuters/ The damage from Monday&#39;s tornado in a suburb of Oklahoma City is likely to exceed that caused by the 2011 twister in Joplin, Missouri, that killed 161 people, Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John Doak said. In the world/ <div>YEREVAN, May 22. /ARKA/. The damage from Monday's tornado in a suburb of Oklahoma City is likely to exceed that caused by the 2011 twister in Joplin, Missouri, that killed 161 people, Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John Doak said.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>In an interview with Reuters after touring the area, Doak said that losses were likely to be greater than in the Joplin storm, which he said caused about $3 billion in damage.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>"This will likely exceed that," Doak said.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>The insured losses from Joplin exceeded $2 billion and are expected to rise as claims are settled. &ndash;0--</div> Wed, 22 May 2013 12:18:41 +0400 http://arka.am/en/news/society/armenian_transport_ministry_denies_rumors_about_rise_in_fares/ Armenia’s transport and communications ministry denied today rumors going around that public transport fares will go up saying it is not discussing something like that. Society/ <div>YEREVAN, May 21. /ARKA/. Armenia&rsquo;s transport and communications ministry denied today rumors going around that public transport fares will go up saying it is not discussing something like that.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>The ministry said in its statement that it has received no such proposals.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>The statement came after allegations in social networks that the expected increase in natural gas prices will be followed by the rise in public transport fares from June 1. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>A Facebook user said he heard the word of the imminent price rise from a minibus driver. -0-</div> Tue, 21 May 2013 21:02:31 +0400 http://arka.am/en/news/economy/mp_blames_increase_in_russian_gas_price_on_global_trends/ The chairman of an Armenian parliament committee on economic affairs, Vartan Ayvazian from the ruling Republican Party of Armenia, blamed the anticipated rise in the price of imported Russian gas to Armenia on global trends. Economy/ <div>YEREVAN, May 21. /ARKA/. The chairman of an Armenian parliament committee on economic affairs, Vartan Ayvazian from the ruling Republican Party of Armenia, blamed the anticipated rise in the price of imported Russian gas to Armenia on global trends. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Speaking at a news conference he said  the increased  price  is going to be  a major challenge for the Armenian economy, however, &lsquo;we must realize that the gas is a commodity, and its price is climbing". According to him, the way out is to raise wages.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>On May 14 Armenia&rsquo;s Russian-controlled national gas distribution company ArmRosGazprom (ARG) and its subsidiary Transgaz formally requested that the Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) allow them to raise the gas price for households from 132,000 (about $318) to 221,000 drams ($532) per one thousand cubic meters. They said the tariff for industrial enterprises and other corporate consumers, which use over 10,000 cubic meters a month should also go up accordingly.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>ArmRosGazprom is the sole company dealing with delivery and distribution of Russian natural gas to Armenia through Georgia. The company was founded in 1997, some 80 percent of its shares are owned by Russian Gazprom and the rest by Armenian government. -0-</div> Tue, 21 May 2013 21:00:36 +0400 http://arka.am/en/news/economy/agriculture_minister_favorable_environment_for_investments_created_in_nagorno_karabakh_republic/ Favorable environment for investments is created in Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, the Nagorno-Karabakh Agriculture Minister Andranik Khachatryan said Tuesday as met with Brian Steven Fer, the Honorary Consul of Armenia in Bergstrasse, Hesse, and Werner Hartman, a prominent businessman. Economy/ <div>STEPANAKERT, May 21. /ARKA/. Favorable environment for investments is created in Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, the Nagorno-Karabakh Agriculture Minister Andranik Khachatryan said Tuesday as met with Brian Steven Fer, the Honorary Consul of Armenia in Bergstrasse, Hesse, and Werner Hartman, a prominent businessman. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>&ldquo;There are a favorable climate and extensive water reserves in Karabakh, and our agriculture is an enormous unused resource,&rdquo; he said. “We would be glad to involve also other German investors in these processes.”</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Khachatryan welcomed German businessmen&rsquo;s readiness to make investments in Karabakh’s agriculture. </div> <div>The guests stressed the importance of enhancement of Germans’ awareness of Karabakh. </div> <div>The minister handed them the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic’s atlas as a gift which will give them more detailed information about the republic. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Brian Steven Fer said that information about Karabakh’s agriculture will be posted on their websites.  </div> <div>He said it will be very well if the world recognizes the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic via Internet as an independent state, not as part of Azerbaijan. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Khachatryan expressed appreciation of the guests’ business offers and their willingness to promote any cooperation.</div> <div>After the meeting, the German businessmen, accompanied by Deputy Agriculture Minister Karen Aghajanyan, toured the republic’s southern rural areas to see prospects for implementation of business programs here.---0---</div> Tue, 21 May 2013 18:23:24 +0400 http://arka.am/en/news/business/ameriabank_sets_amd_5_50_mln_lending_to_sme_not_charging_for_loan_application/ Small and medium-size enterprises can now get 5-50 million drams &#40;or an equivalent amount in foreign currency&#41; in loans within the framework of Armenia-based Ameriabank’s&nbsp;&nbsp;“Simple and fast” lending package, said Arman Barseghyan, director of&nbsp;&nbsp;banking retail operations.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /> Business/ <div>YEREVAN, May 21./ARKA/. Small and medium-size enterprises can now get 5-50 million drams (or an equivalent amount in foreign currency) in loans within the framework of Armenia-based Ameriabank&rsquo;s  &ldquo;Simple and fast&rdquo; lending package, said Arman Barseghyan, director of  banking retail operations.  </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>“We launched a marketing campaign on May 15, and in terms of this campaign we offer a retail lending in three currencies- drams, dollars and euros,” he told reporters on Tuesday. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>The small and medium-size enterprises which will participate in the campaign will be exempted fr om expenses linked to loan application procedures. Moreover, the initial application decision will be made within 2 days. The borrowers will be required to submit just few documents. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>In addition, three owners or managers of any SME who will apply for lending in terms of the campaign, will get credit cards without being required to submit additional documents (salary statement, real property proof statement, etc.). </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Barseghyan also added that those individuals who will visit Ameriabank in order to apply for “Simple and fast” package will get remunerations.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Unallocated metal account valued at 1 g of gold will be opened for those applicants whose requested loan amount will vary within 5-12 million drams ( 12-50 million drams &ndash;2 g of gold). </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Ameriabank is a universal bank providing investment, corporate and lim ited retail banking services. Ameriabank is the first investment bank in Armenia. It has been offering a broad range of innovative banking services since 2007..&mdash;0-</div> Tue, 21 May 2013 18:21:35 +0400 http://arka.am/en/news/business/director_ameriabank_s_retail_portfolio_believed_to_grow_15_to_over_80_million_in_1st_h_2013/ Arman Barseghyan, Ameriabank’s director in charge of retail banking transactions, told journalists on Tuesday that the bank’s retail portfolio is expected to grow 15&#37; for the first six months of this year from $70 million to more than $80 million.&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /> Business/ <div>YEREVAN, May 21. /ARKA/. Arman Barseghyan, Ameriabank&rsquo;s director in charge of retail banking transactions, told journalists on Tuesday that the bank’s retail portfolio is expected to grow 15% for the first six months of this year from $70 million to more than $80 million.   </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>&ldquo;The retail portfolio balance has grown nearly 8% over the first quarter and is believed to grow 15% by the end of the first half of the year,&rdquo; he said. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Ameriabank CJSC is a universal bank providing investment, corporate and retail banking services in a package. </div> <div>Ameriabank is the first investment bank in Armenia. It started providing a wide range of innovative banking services in 2007.---0---</div> Tue, 21 May 2013 18:19:07 +0400 http://arka.am/en/news/economy/armenian_opposition_lashes_out_at_government_s_program/ On Monday prime minister Tigran Sargsyan presented his government’s plan of actions for 2013-2017 to parliament’s consideration. The prime minister had to answer a long string of questions from MPs. Today the parliament continued debates over the program with opposition MPs lashing out at it again.<br /> Economy/ <div>YEREVAN, May 21. / ARKA /. On Monday prime minister Tigran Sargsyan presented his government&rsquo;s plan of actions for 2013-2017 to parliament’s consideration. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>The prime minister had to answer a long string of questions from MPs. Today the parliament continued debates over the program with opposition MPs lashing out at it again.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Hrant Bagratian from the Armenian National Congress argued that the document submitted by the government was not a program &lsquo;because it says nothing about the government’s future actions.&rdquo; He said the government had to say how it was going to generate investments. He accused the government of failing its previous five-year program.   </div> <div>&ldquo;In five years 225,000 Armenians emigrated, the GDP growth was 6%, while the world average was 13%,’ he said. Bagratian proposed solutions to a number of problems  saying it is necessary to establish order in the mining sector, industry, aviation and  to enforce tax free system.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Aleksandr Arzumanian from the Free Democrats party said the new government’s program is the extension of the old one that looks like an election manifesto. "We would like to see a more clear-cut program, with precise actions and projected results. This program says the government will create 100 thousand new jobs, but it says nothing about how they will be created," he said, adding that he would vote against the program.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Aram Manukyan from the Armenian National Congress reminded Tigran Sargsyan of his promises to fight against monopolies, to bring the oligarchs to the tax field, but did nothing. “You have declared fight against corruption - a major challenge facing the government, but did nothing to confront it ,” he said.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Khachatur Kokobelyan from Free Democrats party said the government should recall he program in order to identify all the problems, to offer solutions and only then to bring it to parliament.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>"The people demand quick actions to improve the situation, but this program is no different from the previous one. Everything is set out beautifully, but there is not a line of concrete actions,” he said.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>The new Armenian government was formed on May 8. Earlier chief of the government staff. Vache Gabrielian, said the government’s plan of actions will focus on five major directions- safe and secure Armenia, creation of new jobs with far wages, free and just Armenia, human capital and institutional development.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>The plan of actions calls also for doubling the minimum wage, cutting poverty rate by 8-10 percent a year, creation of 100,000 new jobs and securing growth in pensions and increasing the share of taxes in the overall GDP..-0-</div> <div> <br /> </div> Tue, 21 May 2013 18:17:49 +0400 http://arka.am/en/news/economy/expert_armenia_should_introduce_new_antihail_systems/ Armenia should shift from using anti-hail cannons to operating anti-hail networks, Hrach Berberyan, chairman of the Agrarian Peasant Union of Armenia, said on Tuesday.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /> Economy/ <div>YEREVAN, May 21. /ARKA/. Armenia should shift from using anti-hail cannons to operating anti-hail networks, Hrach Berberyan, chairman of the Agrarian Peasant Union of Armenia, said on Tuesday.  </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>&ldquo;Many countries have carried out transition to this system, which ensures a 100-percent protection of crops from hail,&rdquo; he said. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Berberyan said that the approximate price of such a network intended for one hectare of vineyards with a 15-year guarantee will be about &euro;2,500. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>“I have already discussed the matter with representatives of the Republican Party of Armenia (the ruling party), and I think they will support this initiative,” he said adding that Armenian farmers are welcoming the transition to the new antihail system.  </div> <div>He said that the antihail stations have proved to be ineffective. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>“I have always said that these stations bought from Argentina are not effective, since they haven&rsquo;t been tested in our country,” he said. “Besides, these stations had to be disposed in two echelons in Shirak province, and now their disposition is wrong.”</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Berberyan said that one antihail cannon costs about $30,000.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Armenia has 154 antihal cannons now for protection of 13,000 hectares in four provinces..---0----</div> Tue, 21 May 2013 16:21:52 +0400 http://arka.am/en/news/business/vtb_bank_armenia_and_visa_launch_summer_with_vtb_campaign/ VTB Bank &#40;Armenia&#41; and VISA announced Tuesday on launching “Summer with VTB” campaign. <br /> Business/ <div>YEREVAN, May 21./ARKA/. VTB Bank (Armenia) and VISA announced Tuesday on launching &ldquo;Summer with VTB&rdquo; campaign. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>The campaign will last till September 1, and all VISA cardholders of the bank are welcome to participate. The campaign aims to activate non-cash transactions via VISA cards and raise financial awareness of the cardholders. </div> <div>“The draw of 100 prizes will be held, the main prize is a trip for two to Italy,” the bank said. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Making non-cash transactions by VISA cards in or outside Armenia, VTB Bank (Armenia) customers will automatically get bonuses and have a chance to win one of the 100 prizes or the main prize.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>VISA cardholders will get bonuses per each spent  1,000 drams. The bonus per one transactions is 50.  The cardholders will receive bonuses for any non-cash payment except for communal and other payments made via ATMs. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Those 100 customers with the highest number of bonuses will get the following prizes : 49 equipment purchase certificates, 50 certificates on registering for VTB Bank (Armenia) products  under preferential conditions: -1% for loans or +1% for deposits.  </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>“We have always paid a great attention to our customers, we believe our mission, as of one of the leading banks in Armenia, is not only to offer modern and reliable banking products and services to our clients, but also introduce them with all the opportunities of the cards and encourage them to use these cards actively,” said Yuri Gusev, CEO of VTB Bank (Armenia).  </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>He also said the bank implemented the analogical campaigns jointly with VISA in 2011 and 2012. The campaign results proved that the bank customers start using VISA cards more often now for a broad range of non-cash transactions. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>“On May 20, together with VISA we launched our third “Summer with VTB” campaign. This time there will be many valuable prizes and the main prize- a trip for two to Italy. We hope that VTB Bank (Armenia) clients will demonstrate the same enthusiasm and will participate in “Summer with VTB” campaign, meanwhile VISA cards will support them not only in daily purchases, but also arranging a summer vacation,” he clarified.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>On her side, Irina Kamkhadze, VISA regional manager in the Caucasus region (Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan), said non-cash transactions in Armenia demonstrate a sustainable growth. Non-cash payments for commodities and services accounted for 10% of all VISA card transactions as of the end of 4Q 2012 year over year. According to Moody&rsquo;s, GDP grows by 0.16% if the non-cash transactions rise by 1%. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>“Marketing campaigns, such as “Summer with VTB,” enhance the trust of the clients to VISA cards. It is a reliable, convenient and safe method for paying for commodities and services. Thus, such campaigns contribute to the shift of cash payments to non-cash ones,” she noted. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>VTB Bank (Armenia) CJSC became  a member of international financial Group VTB in April 2004. Currently the second largest in Russia VTB Bank (OJSC) owns 100% of the shares of VTB Bank (Armenia). The bank traditionally ranks among the leaders of the banking system of RA in a number of key indicators. Now the Bank has the largest branch network in the country - 67 branches.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>VISA is an international payment system which  facilitates electronic funds transfers throughout the world, most commonly through Visa-branded credit cards and debit cards. Visa’s global network (known as VisaNet) can process over 24,000 transactions per second.&mdash;0- </div> <div> <br /> </div> Tue, 21 May 2013 16:20:00 +0400 http://arka.am/en/news/business/ameriabank_revises_terms_of_issuing_plastic_cards_and_reduces_their_maintenance_prices/ Ameriabank said today it has revised the terms of issuing plastic cards and has also reduced their maintenance prices. Arman Barseghyan, retail banking operations director, said at a news conference that the revision was primarily prompted by increased competitiveness of the bank’s services. He said the revision is aimed at fostering development of banking services beyond the capital city.<br /> Business/ <div>YEREVAN, May 21. / ARKA /. Ameriabank said today it has revised the terms of issuing plastic cards and has also reduced their maintenance prices. Arman Barseghyan, retail banking operations director, said at a news conference that the revision was primarily prompted by increased competitiveness of the bank&rsquo;s services. He said the revision is aimed at fostering development of banking services beyond the capital city.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>He said a special attention was paid to the development of remote control systems. The bank has redcued also prices for Internet banking service. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Ameriabank is a universal bank providing investment, corporate and retail banking services. It is the first investment bank in Armenia that provides a wide range of innovative banking services.-0-</div> <div> <br /> </div> Tue, 21 May 2013 16:18:18 +0400