The Information Channel Felist.Com -*-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear frends! Arminfo news agency inform Intrigue of the day 2008-05-15 17:05:00 Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan to meet in St.Petersbourg on June 7 ArmInfo. Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents Serzh Sargyan and Ilham Aliyev will meet in St.Petersbourg on June 7, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan told journalists in parliament, Thursday. "I hope, this meeting will open a new way to continue the talks and settle the problem. I am optimistic about this, as there are all grounds for it", he said. At the same time, Nalbandyan didn't specify anything on the progress in the Karabakh peace process. Politics 2008-05-16 09:33:00 Armenian serviceman receives mortal wound on duty ArmInfo. Today at 11:45 AM serviceman Andranik Hayrapetyan (born in 1989, drafted in 2007) was wounded by the enemy when on duty. He was sent to the hospital where he died. Investigation is underway, says the spokesman of the Defense Minister of Armenia, Colonel Seyran Shahsuvaryan. 2008-05-16 09:30:00 Representative of US State Department advocates holding deep analysis of violations during presidential election in Armenia ArmInfo. During the May 15 meeting with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, Thomas C. Adams, Coordinator of U.S. Assistance to Europe and Eurasia, pointed out the significance of a deep analysis of the fact of violations during the presidential election in Armenia, the press-release of the US embassy in Armenia told ArmInfo. According to the source, the meeting covered the domestic political situation after the presidential election in the country and the Millennium Challenge Fund's activity in Armenia. Adams expressed concern over implementation of the criteria given in the program. Sargsyan expressed wish to continue cooperation with Millennium Challenge Corporation as its program helps to reduce poverty in the country. He pointed out the importance of strengthening cooperation with the United States in the development of economy, democracy and regional stability. 2008-05-15 19:13:00 Edward Nalbandyan: Principles of Karabakh conflict settlement published by Araz Azimov have nothing to do with the document on table of negotiations ArmInfo. "The principles of the Karabakh conflict settlement recently published by Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Araz Azimov have nothing to do with the document on the table of negotiations", Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan said in parliament, Thursday. He said that Azimov only presented his position and his country's position based on the settlement of the problem within the frames of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity. 2008-05-15 17:04:00 A member of Board of oppositional New Times Party announces his intention to embark on hunger strike ArmInfo. Hrachya Sargsyan, a member of Board of the oppositional New Times (NT) Party, announced his intention to embark on hunger strike, Thursday. During the May 15 press-conference, Hrachya Sargsyan said that the health of NT Leader Aram Karapetyan, who is currently in detention, has recently worsened abruptly. "I announce my intention to embark on termless hunger strike near the building of the Prosecutor General's Office until Aram Karapetyan is taken to hospital from the pretrial detention center and then released", Sargsyan said. Replying to ArmInfo correspondent's question, Armen Gasparyan, an expert of the cardiology department at the Erebouni medical center, who examined Aram Karapetyan, said that the latter "has all the symptoms of problems with his heart: he is pale, his hands are trembling, he is dizzy, he has lost 6.5 kg, which is the evidence of metabolic disturbance. In addition, Karapetyan has recently had hypertensive crisis twice. The state of his health causes serious concern, he should be taken to hospital immediately, and I sent in a request to the doctors of the "Kentron" penitentiary, where Karapetyan is", Gasparyan said. For his part, replying to ArmInfo correspondent's question, Karapetyan's lawyer Haroutyun Baghdasaryan said that he petitioned for taking his defendant to hospital urgently. According to him, the term for the investigative group's petition to prolong Karapetyan's term in detention expires on May 15. "According to the law, if there is no petition, they have no right to keep him in detention, but there have already been precedents when investigators petitioned the next day after expiration of the term fixed by the law, and the court satisfied the petition", the lawyer said. To recall, NT Leader Aram Karapetyan was detained by officials of the Armenian National Security Service on Feb 24. Later a charge was filed against him under Article 333 ("false denunciation") of the Armenian Criminal Code. 2008-05-15 16:33:00 Armenian foreign minister: Working group engaged in implementation of PACE resolution's requirements has chosen the right path ArmInfo. The working group, which is engaged in implementation of the PACE resolution's requirements, has chosen the right path, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan told journalists in parliament, Thursday. He said it is very important that real steps are already being taken to implement the resolution's requirements. "The working group includes representatives of various structures", he noted. Nalbandyan added that the relevant structure, which made these requirements, will appreciate the efficiency of the working group's activity. To recall, on April 17 PACE adopted the resolution "On Functioning of Democratic Institutions in Armenia" concerning the March 1 events. 2008-05-15 16:31:00 ULP Leader: People persecuted in Armenia for political affiliation ArmInfo. The Criminal Code of Armenia does not contain any Article banning political affiliation, but there are people in the country who are subjected to persecution for their political views, Leader of the United Labor Party Gurgen Arsenyan said at Hayatsk Debate Club Thursday. At the request of ArmInfo G. Arsenyan mentioned that during the congress of the Republican Party of Armenia in November 2007 a member of RPA Board, parliamentarian Sasun Mikaelyan declared his support to presidential contender Serzh Sargsyan. 'A few months later, S. Mikaelyan changed his opinion and supported another contender. As a result, he is in custody. It means only one, I think, he is in custody only for changing his political affiliation. Why has Leader of Conservative Party Mikael Haroutunyan gone into hiding? Why were allegations lodged against Karapet Rubinyan (former vice speaker of Armenian Parliament -ed.)? I cannot imagine them as hooligans and pogromists', he said. In addition, he compared the wanted parliamentarian Khachatur Sukiasyan with the Russian businessman Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who is serving his term of imprisonment. 2008-05-15 15:54:00 Armenian Foreign Ministry representative submits wrong information to court on case of dismissed diplomats ArmInfo. Armenian Foreign Ministry representative submits wrong information to the court on the case of the dismissed diplomats. Wednesday on May 14 the Administrative Court of Armenia studied the claim by 4 diplomats dismissed from the Foreign Ministry of Armenia. Judge Hovsep Bedevyan chaired over the sitting. To recall, the claimants, the former press secretary of the Armenian FM Vladimir Karapetyan, the former head of the Department for America and Canada Karine Afrikyan, the former head of the Department for NATO Marta Ayvazyan and the former adviser of the Department for Europe Arakel Semirjyan were dismissed in February 2008. A group of Ambassadors, including the deputy foreign minister Armen Bayburdyan, on February 23 made speeches during the opposition rallies in the Liberty Square on 23 February. The next day a group of diplomats and employees of the Foreign Ministry made another statements. Both the statements were perceived as political and all those who signed the statements were dismissed. However, a group of diplomats believes that they were dismissed illegally and intend to apply to the court for restoration of their positions and compensation of average salary for the period of their idleness. The respondent is the Foreign Ministry of Armenia represented by Head of the Juridical De partment Satik Abgaryan and Adviser of the Foreign Ministry Staff Secretariat Levon Amirjanyan. During the sitting the plaintiff party emphasized the fact that only one of the dismissed diplomats, Vigen Nikoghosyan, wrote an explanatory letter on the motives that made him make the statement. Asked if Nikoghosyan wrote it at his own initiative or he was proposed to do it, Satik Abgaryan said that Nikoghosyan wrote the explanation at his own initiative. In this connection, ArmInfo correspondent applied to Vigen Nikoghosyan, who was dismissed from the post of Second Secretary of Armenian FM Department for International Economy, to get first hand information on the case. Nikoghosyan said that Head of the Human Resources Department Robert Ananyan proposed him writing the explanation. The proposal was not written. 'I wrote the explanation and sent it to the Foreign Ministry with a third party', V. Nikoghosyan said. He also added that he joined the statement on his own since he thought it was sanctioned by the leadership of the ministry and reflected this circumstance in the explanation. 2008-05-15 10:37:00 Azerbaijani NGOs to appeal to UN and OSCE to complain about Armenia ArmInfo. Several Azerbaijani non-governmental organizations held the regular anti-Armenian Round Table, during which a document was adopted with requirement to 'punish Armenia for settlement of the occupied Azerbaijani lands'. As news.bakililar.az reports, the event was organized by the Association of assistance to development of the civil society in Azerbaijan and by the Public Union for protection of the Rights of Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons. The adopted document expresses Azerbaijan's protest against settlement of the territories of the security belt and "armenization of the original Azerbaijani lands". NGOs urge UN and OSCE to take measures "with respect to the barbarous policy of Armenia". 2008-05-14 23:30:00 US congressman interested in views of US ambassadorial nominee to Armenia about the Armenian Genocide of 1915 ArmInfo. US Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno), sent a letter to Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch, the new ambassadorial nominee of the United States to the Republic of Armenia, equesting her to answer questions regarding her views and opinions about the Armenian Genocide of 1915. As the Armenian National Committee of America told ArmInfo, Costa said: "It is important that the United States fill this empty diplomatic position in Yerevan, Armenia". "But before she is confirmed by the United States Senate, it is critical for my constituents and me to know her thoughts on the first genocide of the 20th century: the Armenian Genocide," he added. 2008-05-14 16:38:00 Director of 'Abovyan' TV channel advises her Azerbaijnai colleagues to read the press more attentively ArmInfo. Director of "Abovyan" TV channel Azniv Chizmechayn advises her Azerbaijani colleagues, in particular from APA agency, to read the press more attentively. "Abovyan" TV channel broadcast a film about the spring call-up to the army in Kotayk region of Armenia, which says about a big number of young people directed to additional medical examination. APA made conclusions about unfitness not only of these young people but also of the half of Armenian conscripts. She disproved explanation of the information by APA. 'The information was distorted and the option presented by APA is false. I would like to advise Azerbaijani colleagues to read the press more attentively, to understand what they read and not to make the information inside out as they like it', - she said and added that the fact that conscripts were directed to additional medical examination does not mean they are unfitted to the army service. 2008-05-14 16:34:00 Verdict by Administrative Court on claim by diplomats dismissed from Armenian Foreign Ministry to be made public on May 29 ArmInfo. Wednesday on May 14 the Administrative Court of Armenia studied the claim by 4 diplomats dismissed from the Foreign Ministry of Armenia. Judge Hovsep Bedevyan chaired over the sitting . To recall, the claimants, the former press secretary of the Armenian FM Vladimir Karapetyan, the former head of the Department for America and Canada Karine Afrikyan, the former head of the Department for NATO Marta Ayvazyan and the former adviser of the Department for Europe Arakel Semirjyan were dismissed in February 2008. A group of Ambassadors, including the deputy foreign minister Armen Bayburdyan, on February 23 made speeches during the opposition rallies in the Liberty Square on 23 February. The next day a group of diplomats and employees of the Foreign Ministry made another statements. Both the statements were perceived as political and all those who signed the statements were dismissed. However, a group of diplomats believes that they were dismissed illegally and intend to apply to the court for restoration of their positions and compensation of average salary for the period of their idleness. The sitting started with a petition by the respondent, the Foreign Ministry of Armenia represented by Head of the Juridical Department Satik Abgaryan and Adviser of the Foreign Ministry Staff Secretariat Levon Amirjanyan. Respondent Abgaryan insisted on interrogation of the opposite part as witnesses. The judge did not consider the petition necessary and rejected it. Representative of the claimants, lawyer Levon Baghdasaryan said the provision of the Law 'On Diplomatic Services' on the basis of which his clients were dismissed bans any actions within the interests of a political party or religious organization. 'There was nothing similar in the actions of my clients. They just expressed their opinion on the situation in the country and election rigging. It is evident that there were violations during the election process. Since both the opposition and international organizations indicated at them. My clients did not speak and did not want to speak of the influence of these violations on the voting result', Levon Baghdasaryan said. He also added that the statement was civil not political. In response, Vladimir Karapetyan said that though civil that statement reflected the stance of the country's leadership, and particularly, the stance of the Foreign Ministry, in that period of time. Not appealing against the statement that diplomats joined the statement by Ambassadors, the claimant mentioned that there were also other statements, including by Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan who expressed concern about possible developments yet in January 2008 and called on everyone to refrain from application of force. The question by the respondent if V. Karapetyan sent in his resignation before his dismissal, was left without an answer. After mutual accusations of neglecting questions and of making declarative statements, the respondent demanded the party of plaintiff to mention specific violations of the election process and asked why they did not make relevant statements during the previous elections if they were so concerned about their civil duty. As a reply the plaintiff party recalled that there has never occurred such a political situation in the country. Incidentally, it has become clear that the answering party submitted mutilate text of the ambassadors' statement to the court and the latter took it into consideration. Abgaryan asked the judge how he is going to clarify originality of any paper. Representative of the respondent party Levon Amirjanyan said the statement was made very diplomatically without mentioning specific names but one should take the 'context' into account. Asked what party won because of such a statement, Abgaryan replied the opposition won or could win. The plaintiff party recalled that earlier Deputy foreign minister Gegam Garibjanyan had given an interview of the political nature, and the former consul of Armenia in St.Petersbourg Rouben Hakopyan was openly taking part in campaigning, but as Vardan Oskanyan said he was dismissed 'because rotation'. Today the court studied the written proofs of the case and went to the consulting room to make a decision. Verdict will be published on 29 May. 2008-05-14 10:27:00 Main planning conference of 'Joint Arrow, Joint Henchman and Brave Trot 2008' exercises started in Yerevan ArmInfo. A three-day main planning conference of "Joint Arrow, Joint Henchman and Brave Trot 2008" exercises started in Yerevan today. Deputy Head of RA Armed Forces' General Headquarters, Major-General Arshaluys Paytyan and deputy Head of the ground posture command headquarters, Brigadier General Claudio Verchelotti welcomed the conference participants and made a speech. About 100 servicemen take part in the conference, 37 of them - from different subdivisions of NATO Command, and 63 ones, representing 21 states, have already expressed their desire to participate in the exercises. Seven NATO countries (USA, Poland, Lithuania, Canada, Greece, Hungary and Great Britain) have sent their officers to Armenia. A plan of drillings will be developed at the conference, legal issues and programmes will be coordinated and the personnel lists will be replenished. The drillings, with participation of about 800 officers, ensigns will and sergeants will contribute to enhancement of the peacekeeping forces' personnel skills. Hi-Tech 2008-05-15 17:03:00 Term of personification of mobile phone numbers ArmenTel's pre-paid subscribers expires on June 30 ArmInfo. The term of personification of mobile phone numbers of ArmenTel's all pre-paid subscribers expires on June 30. The subscribers, who have not registered their numbers, are to sign written agreements at ArmenTel's service departments, the press-service of the company told ArmInfo. 2008-05-15 16:59:00 Microsoft presents 'Windows Server 2008', 'Visual Studio 2008', 'SQL Server 2008' in Armenia ArmInfo. Microsoft presented the latest MS developments - the software "Windows Server 2008", "Visual Studio 2008", "SQL Server 2008" in Armenia, Thursday. The presentation was held within the frames of the IT Competitiveness and Innovation Conference in Armenia. As Microsoft Armenian Country Manager Grigor Barseghyan told ArmInfo correspondent, these products are presented to potential users of system equipment. According to him, the advantage of the latest MS developments is that the new and old versions of the products are fully compatible. "So, today we issue licence not for old products, but only for the latest versions, which, in its turn, gives clients the right to use the previous ones as well", he stressed. At the same time, Barseghyan noted that Microsoft has a number of obligations to its clients. The company carries out its obligations by supporting its clients through the phone and internet, making security updates and drivers updates free of charge. "Microsoft is not engaged in direct sales of its program products, but it specializes in the work with users, the matter concerns only the users of licensed products", he noted. Barseghyan added that in Armenia MS cooperates with 30 partner companies having licences, 5 or 6 of them are gold certified partners. "MS ensures 95% of its business through the partners", he specified. To note, in particular, the program products "Windows Server 2008", "Visual Studio 2008", "SQL Server 2008" give designers the full set of tools to design and develop architecture and databases. To recall, the Armenian office of Microsoft has been operating since May 2006. 2008-05-15 16:28:00 Elaboration of behavior code in telecommunication market requires first of all good will of market- participants ArmInfo. Elaboration of behavior code in the telecommunication market requires first of all good will of market-participants. ArmenTel Director for Operations Alexander Birman made this statement at Forum of IT Competitiveness and Innovations when commenting on the current negotiations between ArmenTel and Internet-providers for settlement of the situation in the telecommunication market of the country and signing a relevant memorandum. At the request of ArmInfo, A. Birman explained that the rules must be sanctioned by the market regulatory agencies since a preventive document is necessary. The most importance is the good will of the participants, he said. 'The rules will be observed only if all the parties approve them', A. Birman said. 'The sooner the remaining provider-companies sign it the sooner it will be adopted since we have already done everything depending on us', he said. 2008-05-14 23:24:00 The price of the shares of VimpelCom reached its bottom on New York Stock Exchange ArmInfo. The price of the shares of Vimpelcom has reached its bottom and will now begin to grow to average $38 per share. A source from ArmenTel (subsidiary of VimpelCom) has informed Interfax that in Jan-Mar 2008 the price dropped from $43 to $31. In 2007 the price of VimpelCom's shares grew by over 100%, they were in high demand and the drop was inevitable. One more reason was the mortgage crisis in the United States and the stock exchange crisis in the world. As a result, investors withdrew their money from securities and put it in less risky instruments like bonds. This had a negative effect of some Russian companies, particularly, on VimpelCom. However, most experts believe that the price will no longer fall and will go back up to an average $38 per share. 2008-05-14 23:20:00 Armenian IT Competitiveness and Innovation Forum held in Yerevan ArmInfo. An Armenian IT Competitiveness and Innovation Forum started in Yerevan, Wednesday. The forum was organized by the USAID/ Competitive Armenian Private Sector Project, with the support of the Armenian Economy Ministry, Enterprise Incubation Fund and Microsoft's office in Armenia. The specified organizations, as well as the Union of Information Technology Enterprises were presented at the forum. Representatives of ArmenTel and ADC also made speeches. The forum covered the problems of IT development in Armenia and the terms of introduction of innovations, elaboration of the strategic conception of IT development. In this context, the opportunities and the future of outsourcing as the prevailing direction of IT developments in the country were discussed. The forum also covered issues of creation of alternative telecommunication networks, prospects for creation of new systems of information exchange. The May 15 part of the forum will be dedicated to the Launch Wave 2008 pr ogram, and SQL Server 2008, Microsoft Office 2008 and Windows Server 2008 will be presented. To recall, the Microsoft launch wave was launched on Feb 27, 2008. Within its framework, Microsoft program products will be presented throughout the world. 2008-05-14 09:08:00 Consumers don't have to know legislation, they should know where to apply when suffering damages ArmInfo. Consumers don't have to know the legislation, they should know where to apply when suffering damages, Chairman of the Association of Consumers of Armenia Armen Poghosyan said at public hearings dedicated to the situation in the Armenian telecommunication market, Tuesday. "Like any other sphere, telecommunication needs accurate legislation. But a consumer doesn't have to know the legislation, he/she should know where to apply when suffering damages", he stressed. According to Poghosyan, insufficient elaboration of the legislative field and the citizens' low awareness of the legislation have caused serious financial losses. He recalled that in 2005-2006 as a result of wrong phone accounting which included non-existent phone conversations, consumers suffered losses worth 140 mln AMD. "Our task is to prevent similar things in the future, but there is a serious danger of it now", he noted. Speaking of the legislation in this sphere, Poghosyan said that the legislation nee ds to be seriously reviewed as it has not been renewed for 10 years. According to Poghosyan, one of the key problems is ArmenTel's qualitative billing, i.e. receiving of information about the current account by consumers. "The legislation should have a provision allowing a consumer to demand disconnection of his telephone right after exhaustion of the account's amount, not 12 hours later as now", Poghosyan said. He thinks that the billing system introduced in August 2007 doesn't prove its worth. "Over the past month the Association received a new wave of complaints about untimely billing and phone conversations ascribed to consumers", he said. Economy 2008-05-16 09:31:00 Armenian prime minister: Armenia should become the most attractive country for business in the region ArmInfo. The Armenian government should create favorable conditions for Armenia to become the most attractive country for business in the region, Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said at the session of the council for the support of entrepreneurship under the RA government, Thursday. "Armenia has competitive restrictions in the region. A lot of businesses are more expensive in Armenia than in the neighboring countries. In this connection, we should create favorable conditions for business in order to make entrepreneurship in Armenia more profitable than in the neighboring countries. We intend to form a business-climate which will not only be acknowledged the best one in the region, but will compete in the international arena", Sargsyan said. As the governmental press-release says, it is for authoritative international structures to assess the reforms. On the basis of their assessments, the government will reveal the comparative advantages and disadvantages. "I assure you that this is one of the government's priority tasks", Sargsyan said. He noted that the government is going to submit a conception of tax administration development for consideration of business circles. A monitoring group will be set up under the prime minister, which will control the tax and customs administration in the country. In addition, a direct hotline will be created for complaints and proposals. Sargsyan promised drastic reforms in this sphere. However, no reforms will be possible without the support of the business and the public. The taxation and customs authorities must learn to work and think in a new way and stop collating with businessmen to the detriment of the state. The government is going to substantially toughen fines for vio lations but on the other hand to significantly increase the wages. "We have a strong instrument in our hands - publicity. We hope that it will help us to enlist public support for our reforms," Sargsyan said. Representatives of the Taxation Service and the Customs Committee, AEPLAC, EBRD and other organizations took part in the meeting. 2008-05-15 17:02:00 Counterfeit software products in Armenia decreased to 93% in 2007 ArmInfo. Counterfeit software products in Armenia decreased to 93% in 2007 (as against 95% in 2006). This is mentioned in the Business Software Alliance's report covering the situation in 108 countries of the world, Microsoft Armenia Country Manager Grigor Barseghyan told ArmInfo correspondent. He noted that despite the fall of piracy level, Armenia continues holding the leading positions in the world by this indicator. According to Barseghyan, Bangladesh and Azerbaijan follow Armenia with 92% piracy rate. The lowest piracy rate is registered in the United States - 20%. "The decrease in piracy even by 10% will bring 2 bln AMD profit to the state", Barseghyan said. He added that developers, particularly, the ones of the Armenian fonts for personal computers, suffer great losses. "If each of 200 thsd users of Armenian fonts paid 1 US dollar at least the developers, the latters will obviously have worthy conditions of life and work", Barseghyan stressed. He pointed out that despite the low price, 50-60% of counterfeit discs contain harmful codes which destroy the computer system. "It is in the power bodies' competence to protect the copyrights, the IT developers can't do this themselves", he said. 2008-05-14 23:14:00 STAR net of supermarkets does not admit ungrounded price increase in food market ArmInfo. 'STAR net of supermarkets does not admit the ungrounded price increase in the food market>, Executive Director of STAR Vahan Kerobyan told ArmInfo during opening of the tenth supermarket in Kanaker-Zeytun Yerevan community. He said that the Company continuously observes the situation in the world markets. "Rise in prices for foodstuffs from our suppliers should be strictly grounded and have minimum affect on our clients' budget", V. Kerobyan said. Along with it, he said that the Company invested about $600,000 in the opening of the tenth supermarket in a metro format (300 sq m) in the STAR's multi-format concept. "As known, the prime cost of the rade area in small stores is much higher than in supermarkets of large format. Therefore, the economy here differs and rests upon the products with high margin, including hot dishes", V. Kerobyan said. He also said that the number of the names of goods presented in the supermarket, totals about 3.5 thsd units. "We do our best for every new supermarket to be better than the previous ones in all the respects, including the technological one. From this viewpoint, one may say with confidence that this supermarket is equipped state-of-the-art, though we keep on working with our permanent importers", he emphasized and added that a system of full self-service functions in this supermarket. Talking of the price policy in the new retail point, V. Kerobyan said that STAR will keep suggesting the best combination of price and quality to its clients. "According to its policy, STAR is targeted mainly at the average population stratum", he emphasized. V. Kerobyan also said that STAR schedules to open supermarkets in 2008 in Erebuni, Davidashen and Achapnyak communities as well. 2008-05-14 12:29:00 Apricot harvest to grow up tp four times in 2008 ArmInfo. A total of 60 thsd tons of apricot is expected to be gathered in Armenia in 2008. This is by 4 times more than the passed year harvest, head of one of departments of Agriculture Ministry Garnik Petrosyan told ArmInfo correspondent. He also added that favourable weather conditions are the reason of such a high harvest. They managed to gather only 15thsd tons of apricot in 2007 because of frosts, 1 thsd ton of which was exported, Petrosyan said. He also said that they are going to export 15020 thsd tons of apricot in 2008, if they manage to ensured ecessary transport communications. In particular, Armenia had exporting problems because of closing of "Verkhniy Lars" checking point at the Georgian-Russian border. If this checking point is not opened, port Kavkaz-Poti ferry-boat is an alternative for shipment of Armenian apricots. Apricots may be also exported via airplanes, but this may lead to apricot price growth. Petrosyan said that Armenian apricots are chiefly exported to Russia. Incidentally, major part of Armenian apricots is successfully sold at Moscow markets by Azerbaijanis, he said. 2008-05-13 15:14:00 Net profit of CJSC 'Shen-Concern' grown by 12,3 % in 2007 ArmInfo. Net profit of CJSC "Shen-Concern", the leader in building materials production in Armenia, amounted to 387809 thsd drams ($1,2 mln) against 345115 thsd drams ($1,1mln) in 2006, the published finance report of the company says. According to the report, general revenue of the company amounted to 2779004 thsd drams in 2007 against 2305336 thsd drams in 2006. It paid 70 mln drams dividends from the benefit of 2006. The company produced 10616 tons of dry mixtures in 2007 against 6802,3 tons on 2006. Concrete blocks production grew by 11,4% in 2007 - up to 21793 tons. A total of 1404 tons of color were produced in 2007 against 1117 tons in 2006. Shen-concern production is chiefly (by 58%) sold to construction companies. Finance and banks 2008-05-15 10:37:00 Exchange rate of dram against US dollar and EUR ArmInfo Today, the maximum buying rates at commercial banks of Yerevan were 307 drams for 1 dollar, 474drams for 1 EUR and 12,7 drams for 1 Russian ruble. The minimum selling rates stood at 308,5 drams for 1 dollar, 477 drams for 1 EUR and 13,4 drams for 1 Russian ruble. 2008-05-14 23:23:00 CB enacts its ban on placement of currency exchange rate boards outside currency exchange offices ArmInfo. Today, the Central Bank of Armenia enacted its ban on the placement of currency exchange rate boards outside currency exchange offices. The decision was made on May 14. The press service of the CB has refused to explain why the CB has made such a decision. Experts say that the CB may wish to exclude unfair competition among currency exchange offices. If before a person wishing to exchange currency could see lots of boards on the street and decide where to go, now, he will have to enter each office separately or to stop at the very first attempt. To remind, the CB regularly monitors the situation on the cash currency market. It has detected lots of instances of groundless under- or over-pricing and has fined the wrong-doers. Now it seems to be willing to root out not only unfair competition but also the "street" mentality. 2008-05-14 12:25:00 Ardshininvestbank, Bank 'ACBA-Credit Agricole' and 'HSBC Bank Armenia' in the leading three in the first quarter 2008 by the net profit level ArmInfo. Ardshininvestbank, Bank and entered the leading three in the first quarter 2008 by their net profit level: 1.3 bln drams (($4.2 ), 901.5 mln drams ($2.9 mln) and 841.3 mln drams ($2.7 mln) respectively. occupied the forth place - 682.4 mln drams ($2.2mln) and the fifth place - 624.3 mln drams ($2.0 mln). According to the data of Armenian commerce banks ranking prepared by ArmInfo, by the level of profitability of assets (share of net profit in assets - ROA) bank is leading - 1,9%, occupies the second place - 1,4%, the third - 1,2%, the forth - 1,1% and Unibank the fifth - 1%. Ardshininvestbank is leading by the ROE level - 7,6%, occupies the second place - 7,5%, Unibank the third - 6,1%, the forth - 6,0% and ARARATBANK the fifth - 5%. Summary retained profit of the Armenian banking system amounted to 6.147 bln drams ($20 mln) by the results of the first quarter of 2008, having grown by 28% if compared with the same period of 2007, and by more than 9 times if compared with the same period of 2003. According to the reports of the 22 acting banks, 19 banks finished the first quarter of 2008 with the summary retained profit - 6.522 bln drams, and three banks - , ProCreditBank and Byblos Bank Armenia with the summary loss 375.8 mln drams. ProCreditBank entered the banking market of Armenia at the beginning of February 2008. Total capital of the banking system over the first quarter of 2008 has grown by 6,1%, and by 43,5%, if compared with the same period of 2007 and by more than 4 times if compared with the same period of 2003, having amounted to 183.5 bln drams ($597.1 mln) as of 31 March 2008. Annual growth of this index is chiefly ensured at the expense of the authorized capital growth - by 46,4% up to 121.3 bln drams ($394.9 mln), as well as at the expense of profit growing. is leading by restoration of the authorized capital. It has grown this indicator by more than 7 times up to 4.8 bln drams ($15.6 mln) if compared with the same period of 2007. By the way, this bank reached such an indicator in the third quarter of 2007 without attraction of new shareholders. Then comes Armimpexbank, authorized capital of which grew by more than 3 times up to 6.4 bln drams ($20.8 mln) if compared with the same period of 2007. It found itself in the leading five by this indicator. Ardshininvesbank occupies the third place having grown the authorized capital by 109,6% up to the leading level 15.5 bln drams ($50.5 mln) if compared with the same period of 2007. International Finance Corporation (IFC) entered this bank capital with 10% share in the forth quarter of 2007. Armbusinessbank occupies the firth place. Its authorized capital has grown by more than 2 times up to 5 bln drams ($16,3 mln). In general, 9 commerce banks ensured replenishment of the authorized fund in the first quarter of 2008 if compared with the same period of 2008, the given indicator has not changed in the rest 12 commerce banks (without Bank ProCredit). The authorized capital has grown only in two banks - ARATBANK (by 12,4% up to 4.1 bln drams or $13.3 mln) and Armimpexbank in the first quarter of 2008. As for the rest banks, this index has not changed. Annual falling of total capital has been fixed only in Byblos Bank Armenia (the former ITB bank) - by 1,4%, and in four banks over the first quarter of 20 08. Much annual growth of total capital has been fixed in Armimpexbank - by 131,7% up to 7.9 bln drams ($25.6 mln) and - by 124,5% up to 21.4 bln drams ($69.6 mln). Agricole> is leading by the level of total capital - 22.2 bln drams ($72.1 mln). 2008-05-13 18:54:00 ARARATBANK preparing for next placement of its corporate bonds worth 400 mln AMD at 9% rate of return ArmInfo. ARARATBANK is preparing for the next placement of its undocumentary corporate coupon bonds worth 400 mln AMD at 9% rate of return. As the Dealing Center of ARARATBANK told ArmInfo, the circulation period is 1.5 years, a total of 40 thsd bonds will be issued, the nominal value of each being 10 thsd AMD. Like during the previous issue, the coupon payments will be carried out quarterly. According to the source, the placement of these securities will most likely take place in late May early June. At the moment, the issue prospectus of the bonds is submitted for the approvement of the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA). The dates of quarterly coupon payments will be specified after the CBA approves the issue of the bonds. The issue aims to attract additional idle funds from the market to transform them into profitable assets in the future. Like during the previous issue, these securities will be rated among "Abond" by the Armenian Exchange (ArmEx), where demand for the bonds considerably prevailed over supply. The bond yield of the next issue is increased by 1%, which will make them more attractive. According to the bank's data, the circulation period of the previously issued undocumentary corporate coupon bonds expired on May 12, 2008. The volume of their issue was 250 mln AMD, the rate of return was 8%, the circulation period was 1 year. Within the frames of the first issue, a total of 25 thsd bonds were placed, the nominal value of each being 10 thsd AMD. The volume of operations on the ARARATBANK's corporate coupon bonds at ArmEx throughout the period of their circulation (from May 12, 2007 till May 12, 2008) totalled 475.179 mln AMD, the number of transactions was about 100. The major part of the operations was carried out in 2007 - 309.626 mln AMD, the number of transactions being 64. To note, as of April 1, 2008, the total capital of the ARARATBANK made up $16.6 mln AMD, assets - $85.3 mln, total provision of crediting - $35.8 mln. The bank is active in the market of government securities. In particular, as of April 1, 2008, investments in government securities totalled $27.9 mln or 32,4% of the total assets, which is 3 times as high as in the same period of 2007. On June 18, 2007, ARARATBANK received a status of the Armenian government's agent for managing the internal state debt. According to the results of the first quarter of 2008, the net profit of the bank totalled 222.8 mln AMD. To note, Armeconombank issued bonds before ARARATBANK at the end of 2005. The bonds of the Cascade Credit UCO and Shen Concern enterprise entered the market in 2006. At the moment the corporate bonds of four issuers - ArmRusgasprom CJSC, Valletta LLC, Shen Concern CJSC, and the Armenian Copper Program CJSC are rated among Bbond by ArmEx. The Elite Group company will shortly join this list. No information from Site can be used without prior permission of ARMINFO http://www.arminfo.am -*-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe: http://felist.com/member/unsub?grp=media.arminfo&email=e@mail http://felist.com/ mailto:ask@felist.com