ArmInfo. In the second quarter of 2026, Armenia's economy continued to demonstrate high rates of economic growth, according to the RA Ministry of Economy.

ArmInfo. AMIO Bank, with record speed and just 30 hours after the issue launch, fully placed its registered, coupon, non-certificated, and non-convertible dram bonds totaling 6 billion drams. According to AMIO Bank's announcement, the placement began on August 17th, and successful completion was announced on August 19th.

ArmInfo.  On August 20, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan chaired a working meeting to review the implementation progress of major urban  development projects in Yerevan, according to the government press  service.

ArmInfo. Armenia's GDP for the first half of 2026 stood at 5.167 trillion drams (exceeding $13.8 billion), growing from 2.332 trillion drams in the first quarter to  2.835 trillion drams in the second quarter. According to data from  the Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia, the annual GDP  growth accelerated in the second quarter to 6.7% (up from 5.9% a year  ago), with a much more significant increase in the reporting quarter  alone – by 19.2%. Meanwhile, the GDP deflator index increased  annually to 104.2% in Q2 2026 (from 102.4% in Q2 2025).

ArmInfo. Armenia invites Russian partners to inspect the quality of Armenian goods  on-site, and if there is indeed a problem,  jointly try to resolve  it. This was stated by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at a  briefing on August 20.

ArmInfo. At this stage, a final decision regarding a new nuclear power plant has yet to be reached, but a resolution is expected in the near future, as stated  by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during a briefing on August 20.

ArmInfo.  As part of a U.S. Department of State Professional Fellows Program (PFP)  reciprocal project, Vladimir Karyan, Head of Operational Risk  Management at Acba Bank and PFP alumnus, and Dr. Mariofanna Milanova,  Professor of Computer Science at the University of Arkansas, Little  Rock, brought their expertise in AI applications, agentic AI, and  fintech to Armenia,  reported by the US Embassy in Armenia. 

ArmInfo. The Armenian government intends to provide financial support to companies engaged in the procurement of peaches and figs. A decision to amend the  existing support program was approved during the cabinet meeting on  August 20.

ArmInfo. A new feature for selecting and changing pension funds is now available in the Ardshinbank mobile app. Ardshinbank customers can now select or change their pension fund directly through the mobile app, without having to visit a bank branch.

ArmInfo. The State Revenue Committee of Armenia has identified cases of particularly large tax violations, resulting in damages to the state totaling over 2.1 billion drams.

ArmInfo. Armenia plans to expand its laboratory testing capabilities to conduct isotopic analyses of locally produced wine and brandy. During its August 20 meeting, the  Armenian government decided to allocate 32.2 million drams to the  Republican Center for Phytosanitary and Sanitary Services for the  procurement of advanced laboratory equipment.

ArmInfo.  During  a meeting in Yerevan,  Anushik Avetyan, Deputy Minister of Economy, and Philipp Hoffmann, member of the German Bundestag Committee on  Economic Cooperation and Development, exchanged views on the further  development of trade and economic cooperation between Armenia and  Germany, as well as on expanding opportunities for Armenian exports  to the German market.

ArmInfo.  Armenian businesses engaged in greenhouse agricultural production will now  have the option to switch the financial institution that issued their  loans.  The decision was approved during a cabinet meeting of the  Armenian government.

ArmInfo. Armenia has been granted the right to import an additional 5,000 electric  vehicles duty-free from third countries. The Armenian government  approved the relevant decision of the Council of the Eurasian  Economic Commission during its cabinet meeting on August 20.

ArmInfo.  Armenia saw a significant increase in the export of goods to European Union  countries during the first half of 2026, according to a report from  the Armenian government.

ArmInfo.The Upper Lars border checkpoint on the Russia-Georgia border has recorded a record-breaking surge in passenger vehicle traffic driven by high  seasonal tourism demand, according to a press release from the North Caucasus Customs Administration of Russia.

ArmInfo.For the second consecutive year, the Armenian banking system has maintained a high growth rate of non-performing loans (NPLs). This is evidenced by the Financial Rating of Armenian Banks as of June 30, 2026, prepared by IC ArmInfo on the basis of published financial statements and additionally requested data (including credit risk data). According to analysts, NPL growth, which barely slowed from 39% to 32% year-on-year by mid-year, is nevertheless increasingly weighing on profits, which are "melting" due to write-offs.

ArmInfo.Consumer loans dominate not only in volume, but also in toxicity

ArmInfo.

ArmInfo.  Russia's Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance  (Rosselkhoznadzor) is expecting the results of an investigation into  sanitary violations and a comprehensive corrective action plan from  Armenia, the agency told Izvestia in response to an inquiry regarding  a potential easing or lifting of restrictions.