Monday, November 21 2011 19:15
ArmRusgasprom suggests paying for gas by installments in winter
ArmInfo. Today ArmRusgasprom CJSC signed an agreement with Areximbank-Gazprombank Group and ACBA Credit Agricole Bank on application of a new mechanism of payment for the consumed natural gas. The new mechanism allows paying for the gas by installments.
The press service of ArmRusgasprom CJSC reported that on the threshold of the heating season and in order to ease the social burden of the population, ArmRusgasprom CJSC has worked out a convenient and flexible mechanism of payment for the consumed natural gas, which allows carrying out monthly equal payments for the gas in an affordable way, particularly, in winter.
"One of the largest companies in Armenia, ArmRusgasprom CJSC attaches much significance to the social responsibility policy and has worked out and introduced such mechanisms, which ease the payment by gas consumers as much as possible", Deputy Director General of ArmRusgasprom CJSC Karen Movsisyan says.
The gas consumers will use the credit lines provided by the banks and pay for the natural gas monthly in equal amounts. Thus, the financial burden of winter months is considerably eased. That is to say, the gas consumers monthly pay a fixed amount to the bank throughout the year, and the bank pays the amount for the gas consumed to ArmRusgasprom CJSC. This mechanism is also based on the principle of economy during the summer months for the winter period.
To implement this initiative, ArmRusgasprom CJSC has made a cooperation offer to a number of commercial banks. Areximbank-Gazprombank Group and ACBA Credit Agricole Bank responded to the offer.
"We implemented a pilot program in one of Armenia's marzes. Given the results of the program, we can say that not only the households, but also other groups of gas consumers can make use of this way of paying for the consumed natural gas", Deputy Director General of Areximbank-Gazprombank Group Vigen Barseghyan says.
The credit line of Areximbank-Gazprombank Group is opened on the bank account of the customer. Both individuals and legal entities can make use of this service. ACBA Credit Agricole Bank provides "Utility Payments" ArCa cards for monthly payments for the consumed natural gas. The bank provides loans to individuals only. The payments are made automatically, without the subscribers' interference.
"Our survey has shown that during the winter months the population has problems with utility payments. In order to solve this problem and implement the project, we decided to cooperate with ArmRusgasprom CJSC", Deputy Director General of ACBA Credit Agricole Bank Hakob Andreasyan says. ArmRusgasprom consumers, who want to make use of the new mechanism, can apply to any branch of the specified banks.
To remind, ArmRusgasprom CJSC is the sole supplier of gas to Armenia. 80% of its shares in the authorized capital belong to Gazprom, and 20% - to the Government of Armenia.