ArmInfo. Reforms in the field of  corporate financial reporting will lead to increased transparency and  confidence building among business entities. Such an opinion was  expressed by the director of the World Bank office in Armenia Sylvie  Bosutho on the margins of the March 5 working conference "Improving  the quality of auditing by ensuring quality control of audit  activity".

ArmInfo. Despite obvious progress on the collection of taxes, the risks of tax shadow in Armenia are still total. Answering the question of ArmInfo, the first deputy chairman of the State Revenue Committee of the Republic of Armenia Karen Brutyan stated on March 2 at a press conference.

ArmInfo. On March 1, the National Assembly of Armenia approved amendments to the package of legislative amendments aimed at increasing transparency in the sphere of subsoil use and mining.

ArmInfo. In Armenia, economic activity declined by 47.6% in January 2018, but increased 10.2% year-on-year (January 2018 to January 2017), against last year's January decline by 46.9% and annual growth of 6.5%. According to the National Statistical Service of Armenia, annual growth has provoked all areas, except for the agricultural sector, and only in January the only growth was recorded in the energy complex.

ArmInfo. The Minister of  Economic Development and Investments of Armenia, Suren Karayan, met  with the delegation of the World Bank led by Marialisa Motta, Head of  the Global Practice on Trade, Competitiveness and Innovation in the  Europe and Central Asia Region.

ArmInfo. In Armenia, economic intensity  in January 2018 decreased by 47.6% with an annual growth of 10.2%, against last year's January decline by 46.9% and annual growth of 6.5%. According to preliminary data of the National Statistical Service of Armenia, annual growth provoked all spheres, except for the agricultural sector. Minor growth was recorded in the energy complex.

ArmInfo. Chairman of the Central Bank of Armenia Artur Javadyan will take part in the conference "Communication and Transparency of Central Banks" of the countries of the Netherlands/Belgium subgroup of the IMF and WB on 15-16 February, organized by the Central Bank of the Netherlands.

ArmInfo. The World Bank forecasts a significant slowdown in 2018 of the growth rate of Armenia's foreign trade. According to the forecast provided in the World Bank's updated analytical report on the economy of Armenia, the growth rate of exports would slow in 2018 to 9.2% from 13.2% in 2017, and imports to 10.3% from 14.2% in 2017. At the same time, in 2019, on the contrary, the WB forecasts a significant acceleration of growth rates for exports and imports - up to 9.7% and 10.6%, respectively. According to the World Bank forecast, the current account deficit to GDP will decrease in 2018-2019 to 3.8-3.6%, from 4% in 2017.

ArmInfo. According to the forecasts of the World Bank, the average annual inflation in Armenia in 2018 will be 3.5%, and in 2019 - 3.2%. This forecast is given in the updated analytical report of the World Bank on the economy of Armenia.

ArmInfo. The World Bank forecasts a slow recovery in the construction sector and the agricultural sector of Armenia and some slowdown in the pace of industrial production.

ArmInfo. According to the World  Bank forecasts, the share of Armenia's national debt in GDP will grow  to 59.6% in 2018, from 58.9% in 2017, and the external debt to 48.4%  from 47.9% in 2017. In 2019, the World Bank predicts a decline in the  share of public debt in GDP to 59.3%, and external debt in GDP - up  to 48%. This forecast is given in the updated analytical report of  the World Bank on the economy of Armenia. The report notes that  Armenia's external debt in 2018 will be $ 5,184.6 million with growth  in 2019 to $ 5295.9 million.

ArmInfo. The lagging behind  in carrying out serious structural transformations in the economy,  including in the field of public administration, competition policy  and improving the business environment, may become the main risks for  Armenia. This is the opinion of the World Bank experts contained in  the updated analytical review of the Armenian economy.

ArmInfo. On January 25, the Government of Armenia approved a package of legislative amendments aimed at increasing transparency in the sphere of subsoil use and mining.

ArmInfo. At present, the share of the shadow economy in big business is about 30%, small and medium-sized businesses in this regard are a little more successful. This January 17, said the head of the Union of Employers of Armenia Gagik Makaryan. At the same time, he urged with special caution to fight against the "shadow".

ArmInfo. According to the  forecasts of the World Bank, Armenia's GDP growth in 2018 will be  3.8% with acceleration up to 4% in 2019. This is stated in a report  published recently by the World Bank Global Economic Prospects  Report. The report mentioned  notes  this forecast is predicted by  the fact that in 2017 Armenia demonstrated significant progress  related to  the increase in metal prices and the improvement of  domestic policy.

ArmInfo. Armenian Healthcare Minister Levon Altunyan discussed with the health experts of the World Bank the implementation of joint programs.

ArmInfo. Today, the Ministry  of Agriculture of Armenia presented a program of the identification  and numbering system for livestock, which was developed by the State  Food Security Service of the Republic of Armenia in conjunction with  the Center for Agrobusiness and Rural Development (CARD) and other  international organizations.

ArmInfo. The Minister of Energy  and Natural Resources of Armenia, Ashot Manukyan, accepted a World  Bank mission led by Abdulaziz Faghi on December 7.According to the press service of power economy Ministry, the parties  discussed the programs supported by the Bank and the opportunities  for further cooperation. Ashot Manukyan highly appreciated the role  of the Bank in assisting the energy sector of Armenia and enhancing  the reliability of the power transmission network.

ArmInfo. In Armenia, addressing  economic issues requires the political will of the authorities.  Today's situation in the country's economy speaks of its absence.  Economist Vahagn Khachatryan stated this on November 6 on the margins  of the conference dedicated to the issues of entrepreneurship  development in Armenia.

ArmInfo. The structure of Armenia's external debt is moderately diversified. Debt for multi-country credit programs dominates in the total volume of external debt ($ 5.1 billion by October 1, 2017) - 66.7% or $ 3.4 billion. Then, non-residents' investments in Armenian Eurobonds - 17.3% or $ 873.4 million, and debts under bilateral credit programs ($ WB: IDA - $ 1.1 billion and IBRD - $ 659.5 million), by 11% ($ 550.9 million), and the increase in the number of loans made by the World Bank amounted to 14.4% or $ 730.4 million.