ArmInfo. Armenia  is intended  to   reach leading positions in WB Doing Business rating - to get the 26th  point  versus 38th  , improving  own position for 12 points. Armenian  Government approved  the appropriate working schedule developed by  Armenian Ministry of Economic Development and  Investments. 

ArmInfo. Armenia is intended to continue tight cooperation with International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank (WB) within the purpose of implementation of programs on economu reforms and social aspects. This was stated in the interview to ArmInfo by Vardan Aramyan, who accentuated that the close cooperation between Armenia and IMF and WB has a permanent and ongoing character, the programs are pretty various and are aimed at reforms in many sectors.  According to the Minister, in the case of IMF this is the 3-4 year agenda under the framework of EFF and EFC.

ArmInfo. In the forecasts of the  International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB) regarding  the economic growth of Armenia in 2017, some elements of conservatism  are observed. Armenian Finance Minister Vardan Aramyan stated this in  an interview with ArmInfo, commenting on the discrepancy between the  forecasts of international structures and the Armenian Cabinet  regarding the growth rate of the Armenian economy.

ArmInfo. Central Bank of Republic  of Armenia issued 300  jubilee silver coins due to 25th Anniversary  of Armenian membership in IMF and WB. According to the information  shared with ArmInfo at the press office of the Central Bank, the  nominal cost of jubilee coin is AMD 1000, the weight is 33,6 grams,  the diameter is 40 mm, with a  proof quality. The author of design is  Harutyun Samuelyan. The coins are manufactured in Lithuania. On  the  avers of the coin is the Armenian Gerald , under which the nominal  cost of the coin is stated (AMD 1000). The note "Republic of Armenia"  in Armenian and English is written al around the avers side of the  coin. 

ArmInfo. Ardshinbank, according to audited results of activities, by the results of 2016, leads among TOP 3 banks, continuing to demonstrate stable growth. Net profit of Ardshinbank only (excluding the result of consolidation with Areximbank) amounted to 4.1 bln AMD by the end of 2016, and exceeded 22 bln AMD (the 1st position in the market) on the consolidated balance sheet. The text follows consolidated indicators.

ArmInfo. In 2017 investments of the  Fund "Investors Club of Armenia" will amount $ 300 million, from the  investments promised by the government in the amount of $ 850  million, the Minister of Economic Development and Investments of  Armenia Suren Karayan said on April 13 after the meeting of the  government.

ArmInfo. The WB will allocate 1.8 million EUR for the implementation of the geographic information system (GIS) in the agricultural sector of Armenia, which allows for accurate management and monitoring of the results of agriculture at various levels. The Minister of Agriculture of Armenia, Ignat Arakelyan, announced this at a press conference on March 30.

ArmInfo. Our expectations are absolutely clear - we want to open all financial flows both inside the country and sheltered in offshore zones. This opinion was voiced on March 24 by the member of the EITI multi-beneficiary group representing the public interest, and the head of the NGO EcoLur, Inga Zarafyan, referring to the possibilities in the framework of Armenia's accession to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).

ArmInfo. In half a year, Armenia must ensure a high level of financial transparency in the metallurgical industry. The Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan announced this on March 24 during the event timed to the conferring of the status of the candidate of the International Initiative of Transparency in the Extractive Industries (EITI) Armenia.

ArmInfo. According to  World Bank (WB)  experts implemented studies, Armenia could seek for the category of average income country. This is stated in the World bank Report entitled as Concept of Armenia Country Systemic  Diagnostics (SCD)  Report, developed within the purpose of discovering the main challenges in respect to Armenia, country's abilities in the aspect of sustainable development, as well as the progress improvement and poverty reduction.

ArmInfo. Deputy Minister of Finance of Armenia Karen Tamazyan and representatives of the National Academy of Finance and Economics of the Ministry of Finance of the Netherlands on March 10 discussed the prospects of developing the system of managing state finances, as well as bringing it in line with EU standards. The meeting was organized with the assistance of Deutsche Gesellschaftfur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

ArmInfo. The growth of  Armenia's state debt in January 2017 by 17.4% to $ 5.97 billion (2.9  trillion AMD) compared to January 2016, due to growth in both  external and internal debts.  

ArmInfo. According to the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA), in 2017 unemployment in Armenia will make up 18.5%, with annual reduction by 0.3-0.4 pct points to 18- 18.2% and 17.6-18% in 2018-2019, respectively. The CBA's previous forecast made in November 2016 pointed out 18.3% unemployment for 2017, and growth from 17.8% to 18.1% for 2016. The updated (February) forecast is published in the CBA's monetary policy program for Q1 2017, which says that the low demand for labor force due to the low economy activity in 2016 will gradually recover due to the acceleration of the economic growth. This, in turn, will slowly increase employment.

ArmInfo. For the safe storage  of chemical materials and devices in "Nairit", the Armenian  government will allocate 76 million AMD (about $156 thousand.). The  corresponding decree was approved at the Cabinet meeting on 23  February.

ArmInfo. The number of investment  projects implemented in 2016 and planned for 2017 in the field of  education and science, is 44. According to Levon Mkrtchyan, the   Minister of Science and Education, during  his meeting with  journalists, the  largest volume of financing is allocated for the  loan project on Education Improvement, which cost is estimated at USD  37,5 mln ( USD 30 mln  is the WB share, and USD 7,5 mln is the  Government's share). 

ArmInfo. The World Bank  expressed readiness to support Armenia in disaster risk management  works. The WB representative and Specialist of Risk Management  Tafadzwe Dube told Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for Urban  Planning Armen Gularyan

ArmInfo. Armenia is  negotiating with Italian RENCO company on construction of a second  combined-cycle unit at the Yerevan TPP, Director General of Yerevan  TPP CJSC Sasun Khachatryan said at today's meeting of the Investment  Commission headed by Armenian Minister of Energy Infrastructures and  Natural Resources Ashot Manukyan.

ArmInfo. In 2016 the  Armenian users` expenses in the internet grew by 25%, with the number  of payments rising by almost 50%. The press office of Yandex.Money  has told ArmInfo that the average bill of Armenia's residents dropped  from 3342 AMD to 2820 AMD. In Jan- Dec 2016 each user paid for an  average of 9 online purchase transactions worth a total of 25,334  AMD, which is by 15% less than in Jan-Dec 2015. 

ArmInfo. The state debt of Armenia increased by 17% in 2016 to $5.9bln (2.9 trillion drams), as both foreign and internal debt grew. By preliminary data of the Finance Ministry of Armenia provided to ArmInfo by the National Statistics Service, the foreign debt grew 11% in 2016 to $4.8bln (2.3 trillion drams) amid 49% growth in the internal debt to $1.14bln (550bln drams). To note for comparison, that in 2015 the foreign debt grew 14% and the internal one 18%.  As a result, the total state debt of Armenia rose 16%. 

ArmInfo. In Jan-Dec 2016, the economic activity growth in Armenia slackened to 0.5% from 3.1% in 2015, with services and industry remaining the economy drivers. In Jan-Dec 2014 the economic activity growth was much higher - 3.9%.  According to the National Statistical Service of Armenia, in December 2016 the economic activity rose by 17.9% (down 0.1% versus Dec 2015), while in December 2015 the growth was 20.4% (up 0.7% versus Dec 2014).