http://arka.am Thu, 23 May 2013 15:57:02 +0400 60 http://arka.am/upload/iblock/317/31722d9f6f94a664dca028d9d20017ea.png http://arka.am 247 58 http://arka.am/en/news/economy/armenia_s_cabinet_backs_up_reimbursement_program_for_farmers_in_hail_damaged_armavir_region/ The government of Armenia approved Thursday the reimbursement program targeted at the farmers in Armavir region which was hit by a disastrous hail on May 12. Economy/ <div>YEREVAN, May 23./ARKA/. The government of Armenia approved Thursday the reimbursement program targeted at the farmers in Armavir region which was hit by a disastrous hail on May 12.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said he had paid a visit to Armavir region the day before delegated by the ministers and the chairman of Armenia&rsquo;s Central Bank. During the visit he was introduced with the results of the 10-day works. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div> &ldquo;Nearly 17,000 hectares are damaged, the harvest in 23 out of 46 communities was completely smashed up,&rdquo; he said. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Sargsyan noted it will take 3 years to restore vineyards, 1-2 years &ndash;to restore orchards, and it will take less time to restore vegetable and melon crops. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div> “It is obvious that the farmers will face problems in fulfilling their loan  commitments, paying taxes, spending on irrigation water,” he said.  </div> <div>The government will completely reimburse the farmers of 22 communities where the harm was huge, he informed. Besides, the farmers of the communities, where the harm was 20-30%, will be compensated up to 50% of their losses. The heads of these communities will be required to make a list of the farmers to be reimbursed. The total amount of compensations will value at about 200 million drams.   </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Second, the compensation covering irrigation water expenses will be 530 million drams, and the government’s approach here resembles the previous one. Tigran Sargsyan highlighted the information will be made public.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div> “The third concern of the farmers, as they said, is future hail occurrence. They want to be sure their harvest will be protected against the hail in the future. It became clear that the present anti-hail stations are not really effective, they protest by just 60%. That’s why, there is a need for additional 50 anti-hail stations, and the government will allocate nearly 6.3 million drams for this purpose. In total, it will make 350 million drams. All these stations will be connected to the radar station, thus they will be activated in the case of necessity rather then by some individuals,” he said. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Moreover, in accordance with the agreements reached between the Central Bank and the commercial banks, the latter will be obliged to demonstrate an individual approach towards serving agricultural lending. </div> <div> “We also pledged to re-register foreign currency loans into dram ones in order to reduce risks. For this purpose, the Central Bank will be provided with the related funds,” PM added. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Sargsyan also added the National Assembly proposed to open the Fund which will allocate financial assistance to the farmers in the most damaged communities. . </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>“We promised the Cabinet members will contribute to this Fund.” PM also noted the families, whose life conditions have sharply deteriorated after the hail, will be provided with social assistance. ($1 – 417.15 drams).&mdash;0- </div> <div> <br /> </div> Thu, 23 May 2013 14:40:42 +0400 http://arka.am/en/news/economy/armenia_showed_second_biggest_industry_growth_in_cis_in_q1_15_8/ Armenia had the second biggest industry growth among CIS countries in Q1 – 15.8&#37;, as compared to the same period of the year before, says the report of CIS statistical committee.<br /> Economy/ <div>YEREVAN, May 23. /ARKA/. Armenia had the second biggest industry growth among CIS countries in Q1 &ndash; 15.8%, as compared to the same period of the year before, says the report of CIS statistical committee.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Industry growth was recorded also in Kyrgyzstan (18.6%), Uzbekistan (7.7%), Tajikistan (5.5%) and Kazakhstan (1.9%).</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Industrial production in Russia remained unchanged in the reporting period.</div> <div>According to the report, industrial production declined in Ukraine (5%), Azerbaijan (1.8%), Belarus (1.1%) and Moldova (0.7%).</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>In general, CIS industry shrank by 0.2% in January-March this year, compared to Q1 2012. –0--</div> Thu, 23 May 2013 14:37:02 +0400 http://arka.am/en/news/economy/armenian_government_sues_armavia/ Armenia’s state revenues committee, on behalf of the government, took a legal action against Armavia air company in relation to so called air tax, Armenia’s minister of finance David Sargsyan said in the parliament Wednesday. Economy/ <div>YEREVAN, May 23. /ARKA/. Armenia&rsquo;s state revenues committee, on behalf of the government, took a legal action against Armavia air company in relation to so called air tax, Armenia’s minister of finance David Sargsyan said in the parliament Wednesday.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Sargsyan said that Armavia’s debt to the government, other than air tax, has not been calculated yet.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>The minister said other creditors have also sued Armavia.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Armavia decided to stop flying as fr om April 1 and start a bankruptcy procedure. The company also submitted a company recovery plan to the country’s public council. In particular, the company suggested abolishing the air passenger duty of 10,000 drams, which is included in the air ticket cost, (so called air tax &ndash; ARKA), create equal conditions in the market, provide an opportunity of buying aviation fuel independently and restructure the company’s debts to the government.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Armavia national air company was founded in 1996. In 2005, Baghdasarov who was a major businessman and president of MIKA Lim ited became full owner of Armavia. Before the bankruptcy process, Armavia was operating over 100 flights a week in more than 40 directions to some 20 countries. –0&mdash;</div> <div> <br /> </div> Thu, 23 May 2013 12:20:34 +0400 http://arka.am/en/news/economy/number_of_complaints_to_notarial_palace_dropped_in_armenia_in_2013/ Number of complaints and applications to the Notarial Palace of Armenia was less than 40 in the fist fourth months of 2013, press office of the agency told ARKA.<br /> Economy/ <div>YEREVAN, May 23. /ARKA/. Number of complaints and applications to the Notarial Palace of Armenia was less than 40 in the fist fourth months of 2013, press office of the agency told ARKA.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>In the same period of the year before, over 70 applications were received by the Palace, all accepted for consideration, according to the report.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>There were 82 hotline (010 &ndash; 555-772) complaints filed in the period, most of them relating to tariffs for notary services. People kept applying also for legal consultancy. –0&mdash;</div> Thu, 23 May 2013 12:18:51 +0400 http://arka.am/en/news/economy/ford_plans_to_shut_all_australian_production_by_2016_bbc/ US car giant Ford Motor will shut all its Australian manufacturing plants by October 2016, after more than 85 years of making vehicles in the country.<br /> Economy/ <div>YEREVAN, May 23. /ARKA/. US car giant Ford Motor will shut all its Australian manufacturing plants by October 2016, after more than 85 years of making vehicles in the country.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>About 1,200 workers are expected to lose their jobs from the Broadmeadows and Geelong plants, in Victoria state.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Ford said its Australian operations had lost A$600m ($580m; &pound;385m) over the last five years.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>The strength of the Australian dollar has made manufacturing more expensive, while sales have been under pressure.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>"Our costs are double that of Europe and nearly four times Ford in Asia," Bob Graziano, the chief executive of Ford Australia, said. "The business case simply did not stack up." </div> <div>He added that "manufacturing is not viable for Ford in Australia in the long-term". </div> <div>Ford said that it would still import its cars into Australia. &ndash;0--</div> Thu, 23 May 2013 12:16:44 +0400 http://arka.am/en/news/economy/armenian_government_ready_to_hand_supervision_levers_to_opposition_to_protect_minority_shareholders_/ The government&nbsp;&nbsp;is ready to hand a set of supervision levers to&nbsp;&nbsp;the opposition when it comes to&nbsp;&nbsp;protection of the rights of minority shareholders in large companies, prime minister Tigran Sargsyan said today during a Q&A parliamentary session.<br /> Economy/ <div>YEREVAN, May 22. / ARKA /. The government  is ready to hand a set of supervision levers to  the opposition when it comes to  protection of the rights of minority shareholders in large companies, prime minister Tigran Sargsyan said today during a Q&A parliamentary session.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>"When discussing here the government&rsquo;s plan of actions for 2013-2017 we said we are ready to cooperate with the opposition. In response opposition leaders demanded supervision levers. We are ready to hand them to  the opposition,’ he said when responding to a question from an MP Hrant Bagratian from the opposition Armenian National Congress.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Bagratyan, in particular, asked the prime minister whether the plan of actions provides for protection of the rights of minority shareholders in large enterprises.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>The prime minister said the government is ready to discuss also the possibility of creating a commission to look into violation of the rights of minority shareholders. -0-</div> <div> <br /> </div> Wed, 22 May 2013 21:55:09 +0400 http://arka.am/en/news/economy/year_on_year_inflation_recorded_at_2_9_in_armenia_in_jan_march_2013/ Year-on-year inflation was recorded at 2.9&#37; in Armenia in Jan-March 2013, and the average inflation rate in the CIS countries was 1.7&#37;, the Statistical Committee of the Commonwealth of Independent States reports.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /> <br /> <br /> Economy/ <div>YEREVAN, May 22. /ARKA/. Year-on-year inflation was recorded at 2.9% in Armenia in Jan-March 2013, and the average inflation rate in the CIS countries was 1.7%, the Statistical Committee of the Commonwealth of Independent States reports.  </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Consumer prices in Armenia went 0.4% up in March 2013, compared with the previous month, and the average month-on-month inflation rate in CIS countries was recorded at 0.3% in March.  </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Belarus showed the maximal, 1.1-percent rise in consumer prices among CIS countries in March, compared with February,  </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Azerbaijan accounted for 0.6% increase, Russia for 0.3%, Kazakhstan for 0.2%, Moldova for 0.1% and Tajikistan for 0.1%.  </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>In Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan prices remained unchanged. ---0---</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div> <br /> </div> Wed, 22 May 2013 21:53:25 +0400 http://arka.am/en/news/economy/at_least_18_5_erillion_hidden_by_wealthy_individuals_in_tax_havens_worldwide_oxfam_says/ At least $18.5 trillion is hidden by wealthy individuals in tax havens worldwide, representing a loss of more than $156 billion in tax revenue, according to new figures published today by international agency Oxfam. Economy/ <div>YEREVAN, May 22. / ARKA /. At least $18.5 trillion is hidden by wealthy individuals in tax havens worldwide, representing a loss of more than $156 billion in tax revenue, according to new figures published today by international agency Oxfam.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>The missing money is twice that required for every person in the world to be living above the $1.25-a-day ''extreme poverty'' threshold.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Oxfam's Kevin Roussel said, ''It's scandalous that so much money is allowed to sit untaxed, letting off the hook those individuals who can most afford to pay for public goods and services. Many governments claim to have no alternative but to cut public spending and development aid, but we've found there's enough potential tax to be had on hidden ''private'' money to end extreme world poverty twice over.''</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Oxfam has found that two-thirds of this global offshore wealth &ndash; more than $12 trillion – is hidden in EU related tax havens, such as Luxembourg, Andorra or Malta. These havens are facilitating the loss of over $100 billion in tax revenues worldwide. A third of offshore wealth is sitting in UK-linked tax havens where it is undeclared and untaxed.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>A tax havens crackdown is on the agenda for discussion at the European Union leaders' summit today. Oxfam is calling for a blacklist of tax havens, and an agreement from EU member states to impose sanctions against tax havens and those using them. The EU looks set to fail on this simple task.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Roussel said,  ''The UK and Europe cannot stand by while billions is lost from the global public purse on their watch.''</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>The $156 billion of lost tax revenue Oxfam estimates is just a fraction of the total tax loss, as it only reflects the amount of tax that individuals are neglecting to pay. It doesn't include the tax dodged by companies and multinational corporations, whose swindling costs Africa alone an estimated $160 billion a year. -0-</div> Wed, 22 May 2013 21:52:18 +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/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/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/economy/vegetable_prices_may_double_in_armenia_due_to_hailstorm/ Prices for vegetables and melons may rise by up to 100&#37; because of the severe hailstorm that pounded several regions of Armenia last week, chairman of agrarian-peasant union of Armenia Hrach Berberyan told a press conference Tuesday. The hail damaged crops in Aragatsotn and Armavir regions in particular.<br /> Economy/ <div>YEREVAN, May 21. /ARKA/. Prices for vegetables and melons may rise by up to 100% because of the severe hailstorm that pounded several regions of Armenia last week, chairman of agrarian-peasant union of Armenia Hrach Berberyan told a press conference Tuesday. The hail damaged crops in Aragatsotn and Armavir regions in particular.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>&ldquo;I believe the prices for tomatoes, pepper and egg-plants will hike first of all&rdquo;, Berberyan said.</div> <div>Fruit and grapes prices may rise by 20%, he said.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Consequently, exports of Armenian rural products will drop this year, according to the expert.</div> <div>The hail-related situation was discussed at a government meeting last Wednesday.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>The prime-minister instructed to set up an interagency commission headed by the vice-premier Armen Gevorgyan to discuss anti-hail installations and make recommendations to the government. &ndash;0--</div> <div> <br /> </div> Tue, 21 May 2013 16:16:54 +0400 http://arka.am/en/news/economy/hailstorm_resulted_in_35_40mln_loss_in_armavir_and_aragatsotn/ Hail damage to crops in Armavir and Aragatsotn regions of Armenia totaled around $35-40 million, chairman of agrarian-peasant union of Armenia Hrach Berberyan told a press conference Tuesday. Economy/ <div>YEREVAN, May 21. /ARKA/. Hail damage to crops in Armavir and Aragatsotn regions of Armenia totaled around $35-40 million, chairman of agrarian-peasant union of Armenia Hrach Berberyan told a press conference Tuesday.</div> <div>According to the union, hailstorm damaged from 17,000 to 20,000 hectares.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>&ldquo;Armenian farmers have never seen such serious hail damage since the independence. Today they are in an extremely grave condition&rdquo;, Berberyan said.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Berberyan says the government should provide financial support to suffered farms and freeze loan repayments for one year.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>“Of course, today farmers need seeds and fertilizers, but they need financial support even more”, he said.</div> <div>The hail-related situation was discussed at a government meeting last Wednesday.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>The prime-minister instructed to set up an interagency commission headed by the vice-premier Armen Gevorgyan to discuss anti-hail installations and make recommendations to the government. &ndash;0--</div> <div> <br /> </div> Tue, 21 May 2013 16:15:35 +0400 http://arka.am/en/news/economy/iranian_gas_much_more_expensive_than_russian_armenian_energy_minister_says/ Iranian gas will cost much more to Armenia than the Russian one, even if the price for the latter goes up, Armenia’s minister of energy and natural resources Armen Movsisyan said. Economy/ <div>YEREVAN, May 21. /ARKA/. Iranian gas will cost much more to Armenia than the Russian one, even if the price for the latter goes up, Armenia&rsquo;s minister of energy and natural resources Armen Movsisyan said.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>&ldquo;Iran is not offering gas at cheaper prices than the Russians, as its gas is sold at regional prices. Iran is selling gas to Turkey and other countries at a much higher price &ndash; about 370 dollars&rdquo;, Movsisyan told ARKA.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>On May 14, ArmRosgasprom cjsc and TransGas limited applied to Armenia’s public services regulatory commission for review of the current gas price. The application suggests increasing the gas price for customers with monthly consumption of up to 10,000 cubic meters from the current 132,000 drams (including VAT) to 221,000 drams (including VAT).</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Today Armenia is buying Russian gas at 180 dollars per 1,000 cubic meters; the consumer price is 132drams (about 32 cents) per cubic meter.</div> <div>Movsisyan also said that today Armenia exchanges electricity with gas from Iran.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>“We have no sufficient power capacity to import the entire required volume of gas through barter”, the minister stressed.</div> <div>In 2004, Armenian government initiated construction of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline to extend the gas supplies and create a second gateway to the country. The pipeline was launched in 2007.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Iranian gas is to be converted to energy for exporting back to Iran, 3 kilowatt hours per cubic meter of natural gas.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Under the agreement, Iran is to supply 36 billion cubic meters of gas to Armenia over 20 years. The agreement has a provision for possible extension for another five years, with the volume of gas supplies to be increased to 47 billion cubic meters.–0--</div> Tue, 21 May 2013 14:34:41 +0400 http://arka.am/en/news/economy/armenia_still_buying_russian_gas_at_180_per_1_000_cubic_meters_negotiations_under_way/ Armenia will continue buying Russian gas at 180 dollars per 1,000 cubic meters until the end of the negotiations with Russia, Armenia’s minister of energy and natural resources Armen Movsisyan said. Economy/ <div>YEREVAN, May 21. /ARKA/. Armenia will continue buying Russian gas at 180 dollars per 1,000 cubic meters until the end of the negotiations with Russia, Armenia&rsquo;s minister of energy and natural resources Armen Movsisyan said.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>&ldquo;We have fixed during the negotiations that gas will be supplied to us at a cheapest price, but the negotiations are still under way&rdquo;, Movsisyan said.</div> <div>The minister also urged not to associate the gas price rise with the completed election process saying that energy always tends to rise in price.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Movsisyan stressed that it is the public services regulatory commission who calculates the gas price for consumers.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>On May 14, ArmRosgasprom cjsc and TransGas limited applied to Armenia’s public services regulatory commission for review of the current gas price. The application suggests increasing the gas price for customers with monthly consumption of up to 10,000 cubic meters from the current 132,000 drams (including VAT) to 221,000 drams (including VAT).</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Today Armenia is buying Russian gas at 180 dollars per 1,000 cubic meters; the consumer price is 132drams (about 32 cents) per cubic meter.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>ArmRosgasprom founded in 1997 holds the monopoly for gas supplies and distribution on Armenia’s domestic market. The company’s stockholders are Russian Gazprom and the Armenian government. &ndash;0--</div> <div> <br /> </div> Tue, 21 May 2013 12:34:43 +0400 http://arka.am/en/news/economy/premier_construction_of_new_nuclear_power_unit_in_armenia_to_start_after_life_of_currently_operating/ The construction of a new nuclear power unit in Armenia will start when it becomes known how long the functioning now unit can function, Prime Minister Tigarn Sargsyan said Monday in the National Assembly. Economy/ <div> <br /> </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>YEREVAN, May 20. /ARKA/. The construction of a new nuclear power unit in Armenia will start when it becomes known how long the functioning now unit can function, Prime Minister Tigarn Sargsyan said Monday in the National Assembly. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>&ldquo;When all the studies are completed and it becomes clear how many years the country can operate the nuclear power plant, we will decide when to launch the construction and commission a new unit,&rdquo; he said. “Such an approach will allow us to use our financial resources effectively.”</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Armenian authorities plan to build a new 1000-megawatt unit.</div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Sargsyan said that it is now proposed to the government to prolong the term of this plant&rsquo;s operation, to allocate funds for that, to postpone the launch of construction of a new unit by two years and to use these two years to work out a specified time-table to shut down the facility. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>He said that at least $150 million is needed to extend the life of the functioning now plant. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>The premier said that negotiations with Russian partners are under way now. It is important to set reasonable terms for commissioning the new unit to ensure the optimal usage of the generated power and a low prime cost.  </div> <div>The Armenian Nuclear Power plant is located near Metsamor, some 30 kilometers west of Yerevan. It was built in the 1970s but was closed following a devastating earthquake in 1988. One of its two VVER 440-V230 light-water reactors was reactivated in 1995. The 407.5-megawatt unit currently generates some 40 percent of Armenia's electricity.---0---</div> Mon, 20 May 2013 21:59:57 +0400 http://arka.am/en/news/economy/armenia_negotiating_with_russia_to_have_30_percent_customs_duty_for_imported_russian_gas_lifted/ Armenia is negotiating with Russia in a hope to persuade the latter to lift a 30-percent customs duty from the Russian gas brought to Armenia, Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said today in the National Assembly responding to the question of Hrant Bagratyan, an MP from the opposition Armenian National Congress party bloc.&nbsp;&nbsp; Economy/ <div>YEREVAN, May 20. /ARKA/. Armenia is negotiating with Russia in a hope to persuade the latter to lift a 30-percent customs duty from the Russian gas brought to Armenia, Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said today in the National Assembly responding to the question of Hrant Bagratyan, an MP from the opposition Armenian National Congress party bloc.  </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>The premier said that Russia sells its natural gas to Armenia at the lowest price. Russia exports its natural gas to Belarus at the same price. Other countries enjoy the Russian gas at higher prices.  </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>&ldquo;Russia says $189 is the lowest price,&rdquo; he said adding that if an accord is reached in the negotiations and a 30-percent customs duty is lifted, Armenia will pay $189 for 1,000 cubic meters. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Sargsyan also said that Russian officials said that their country can&rsquo;t sell natural gas at a price lower than the price Belarus pays. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Bagratyan objected saying that despite that, the price consumers in Armenia pay for gas is higher than in European countries and even in Ukraine. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>In recent days, ArmRosgazprom and Transgaz LLC asked the regulator to revise upward the current price 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>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> <div> <br /> </div> Mon, 20 May 2013 20:31:04 +0400 http://arka.am/en/news/economy/clean_energy_gives_lectures_at_armenia_s_universities/ Clean Energy NGO has been giving lectures at Armenia’s university since May 17. The lectures are to raise public awareness about alternative energy challenges for Armenia and propagate the consumption of clean energy sources of the republic, the organization reported to ARKA on Monday. <br /> Economy/ <div>YEREVAN, May 20./ARKA/. Clean Energy NGO has been giving lectures at Armenia&rsquo;s university since May 17. The lectures are to raise public awareness about alternative energy challenges for Armenia and propagate the consumption of clean energy sources of the republic, the organization reported to ARKA on Monday. </div> <div> </div> <div>The first lecture was hosted  at Armenian State Engineering University. Tigran Grigoryan, the organization council member, presented the main tendencies of alternative energy development in different regions, and made parallels with the Armenian reality.  </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Grigoryan underscored the importance of sun energy, as Armenia has a vivid advantage over its neighbors and a number of European countries in this sector. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>&ldquo;On average, sun energy supply makes 1,720 kWh per 1 sq. m a year, whereas in Europe this figure is nearly 1,000 kWh,&rdquo; according to the organization. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>Wind energy was also in the limelight of the lecture, its potential stands at over 10,000 MW.</div> <div>Geothermal energy in Armenia was also discussed during the lecture. According to the expert, production of 200 MW of electric power in this sector is pretty real today. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>“As the government is discussing the possible hike in natural gas tariffs, this topic immensely interests the very different circles, and it makes sense. Armenian economy’s cornerstone should be the energy independence and the related to it steps,” said Vahe Davtyan, Clean Energy President. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div>He added the lectures will be held in most of Armenia’s universities. </div> <div>“We are not going to limit ourselves with higher educational establishments. At the moment, we are negotiating with a number of secondary schools to raise the awareness of our pupils about the fundamentals of the alternative energy,” he noted.  </div> <div> <br /> </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> Mon, 20 May 2013 20:27:08 +0400