ArmInfo. The slowdown in export growth with a sharp change in the dynamics of imports from a recession to growth increased the negative balance of Armenia's foreign trade for 9 months of this year. at 27.2% per annum, against a decrease of 20.3% in the same period last year.
According to preliminary data of the National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia, export growth in January-September 2017 slowed to 19.1% from 19.6% a year earlier, while imports sharply dropped from negative 0.8% to positive 23.2%. As a result, Armenia's foreign trade turnover in January- September 2017 showed an annual growth of 21.7%, accelerating the pace from last year's 5.7%.
According to statistical data, Armenia's foreign trade turnover in January-September 2017 amounted to 2106.1 billion AMD ($ 4,367.5 million), in particular, export - 745.9 billion AMD ($ 1,546.7 million), import - 1360.2 billion AMD ($ 2,220.8 million), which formed a negative balance of external trade at the level of 614.3 billion AMD ($ 1274.1 million).
Only in September of 2017 foreign trade turnover increased by 10% due to the growth of imports by 22% with a decrease in exports by 9.6%. On an annual basis (September 2017, by September 2016), the growth of foreign trade turnover by 23.1% was mainly caused by the growth of imports (by 29.1%), rather than exports (an increase of 11.7%). Only for September of this year. the negative balance of Armenia's foreign trade increased by 71.6%, making 104 billion drams ($ 1274.1 million), against growth of 4.5% in September 2016.
According to statistical data, Armenia's economic activity in January-September 2017 accelerated annual growth rates from 1.6% to 5.1%. Only in September 2017, economic activity growth slowed to 10.1% from 18.7% in August. In annual terms (September of this year by September 2016), economic activity increased by 2.5%, against a decrease of 2.4% in September 2016 by September 2015.
