ArmInfo. In the first half of 2020, the volume of diamond exports from Armenia precipitated a rapid decline to 32.2% (from 17.7% a year earlier), while the customs  value decreased by 84.2%. According to the RA Customs Service, during  the reporting period, 68.6 thousand carats of diamonds were exported  at a customs value of $ 4.5 million, which decreased by 84.2% per  annum - to $ 4.5 million.

ArmInfo. In July 2020, in Armenia, foreigners made 299 transactions for the purchase and sale of real estate, 99 of which were acquisitions. In total,  non-residents accounted for 6% of the total number of transactions  registered in July.

ArmInfo.The average market value of apartments in the regions of Armenia in July 2020 compared to July 2019 increased by 2.5%, with a 1% decline over the  month, amounting to 97.2 thousand drams / 1 sq. m. This is evidenced  by the data of the RA Real Estate Cadastre State Committee.

ArmInfo.

ArmInfo.

ArmInfo.The winners of the tenders for the modernization of the M-6 interstate highway (Vanadzor-Alaverdi-Georgian border) will receive an advance payment.  The decision was made on September 10 at the meeting of the RA  government.

ArmInfo.The average market value of real estate in apartment buildings in Yerevan in July 2020 compared to July 2019 increased by 7.1% (to 336.3 thousand drams  / 1 sq. m. on average). Moreover, the rise in prices was accompanied  by a decrease in the number of transactions by 16.4%. This is  evidenced by the data of the RA Real Estate Cadastre State Committee.

ArmInfo.Armenia intends to raise in the Eurasian Economic Union the issue of the possibility of lifting restrictions on movement in the context of the  coronavirus. This was announced on September 10 at a government  meeting by the Prime Minister RA Nikol Pashinyan.

ArmInfo.

ArmInfo.Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan posted a video on Facebook about the repair work on some highways in the country's Tavush region.

ArmInfo.The coronavirus crisis has seriously affected the alcoholic beverages industry in Armenia - the alcohol market is experiencing a negative trend, and  restrictive measures that lasted for months make it impossible to  restore the former production and sales volumes. In particular, in  January-July 2020, the dynamics of absolutely all alcoholic beverages  produced in the country turned towards a decline, whereas a year  earlier, in the same period, a significant increase was recorded.

ArmInfo.In Armenia, the service sector in January-July 2020 reduced volumes by 9.3% per annum - to 968.7 billion drams ($ 2 billion), against 15.2% growth a year  earlier. According to the data of the RA Statistical Committee, in  July the volume of provided services increased slightly - by 0.9%,  amounting to 139.7 billion drams ($ 288.4 million).

ArmInfo.On September 9, RA Minister of the Environment Romanos Petrosyan held the first working meeting-discussion with representatives of KfW Bank online. 

ArmInfo.COVID-19 pandemic has made the digital transformation vitally important. Going online and shifting to online platforms have become a necessity, bringing over certain challenges for many businesses and individuals in Armenia.

ArmInfo. In Armenia, the service sector has great potential for rapid recovery. Sedrak  Mamulyan, the head of  the Development and Preservation of Armenian  Culinary Traditions NGO said this in an interview with ArmInfo,  speaking about the current recession due to the coronavirus pandemic.

ArmInfo.

ArmInfo. The Ministry of Economy of Armenia continues to carry out visits to processing enterprises during the grape-harvesting season. According to the  press service of the department, this time representatives of the  Ministry of Economy headed by Deputy Minister Arman Khojoyan left for  the Ararat region, where they visited the Proshyan Brandy Factory,  Yeraskh Wine Factory and MAP CJSC.

ArmInfo.

ArmInfo.

ArmInfo.During the privatization of healthcare facilities, the Armenian government will itself determine the need to maintain the profiles of these  facilities. At a meeting of the parliamentary commission on economic  issues on September 9, amendments to the privatization program of  state property for 2017-2020 are discussed.