Wednesday, June 10 2020 20:59

ArmInfo. In the first years in  many years, the Armenian trade sector began to decline, which was  associated with the introduction of restrictions by the Commander for  emergency situations on a number of economic activities due to the  spread of a new type of coronavirus.  Thus, according to the RA  Statistical Committee, the revenue of the Armenian trade sector in  January-April 2020 decreased by 8.6% (against growth by 9.8%),  amounting to 816.1 billion drams ($ 1.6 billion). The last time a  decrease in trade in the Republic of Armenia was registered in  January-October 2016 (0.1%).  At the same time, in April 2020 alone,  trade turnover in Armenia showed a decline of 29.4% (annual decline  of 1.8%) to 158.5 billion drams ($ 324.4 million).

In particular, wholesale trade during the reporting period reduced  volumes by 7.3% to 407.2 billion drams ($ 841.5 million), against  growth by 13.8% a year earlier. In April 2020 alone, the wholesale  trade turnover in Armenia decreased by 22.5% to 87.6 billion drams.

Retail trade reduced turnover by 10.1% per annum to 382 billion drams  ($ 789.3 million), against an 8% growth in January-April 2019. In  April alone, retail sales fell 37.6% to 66.1 billion drams.

In the structure of retail trade, the largest turnover is provided by  shops (including supermarkets) - 304.7 billion drams or 79.8% (an  annual decline of 8.6%), other retail facilities - 50.4 billion drams  or 13.2% ( with an annual decline of 14.4%), followed by consumer  goods markets with a margin of 15 billion or 3.9% (with an annual  decline of 22.6%), stalls and stalls -8.9 billion or 2.3% (with an  annual decline of 6.9%) and agricultural markets - 3.1 billion or  0.8% (with an annual decline of 21.2%).

The volume of car purchase / sale in January-April 2020 accelerated  the annual decline from 13.8% to 15.9%, amounting to 27 billion drams  ($ 55.6 million). On a monthly basis, revenue from the purchase /  sale of automobiles decreased by 12.5% to 4.9 billion drams.

In the structure of the total trade turnover of Armenia, the share of  wholesale trade amounted to 49.9%, retail - 46.8%, and the remaining  3.3% accounted for the purchase / sale of automobiles.

The average settlement rate of AMD in April 2020 was 488.66 dr / $ 1,  and in January-April - 483.90 dr / $ 1, against 484.29 dr / $ 1- in  April 2019 and 486.49 dr / $ 1- in January- April 2019.

Recall that in Armenia, as part of measures to prevent the spread of  the coronavirus pandemic, a state of emergency was introduced from  March 16, which will last until June 13. In this regard, many types  of economic activities in the first month of emergency were imposed a  temporary ban, which was partially lifted in the second half of  April. Since May 4, the list of permitted types of business  activities has been further expanded to ensure the vital functions of  the economy, and since May 18, the ban has been lifted almost  completely. On the same day, public transport (including the metro)  and many public catering facilities and services began to operate,  but so far the activities of international air, rail, bus services  have been limited.