ARMENIAN CENTRAL BANK LOWERS INTEREST RATE

RIA Novosti, Russia
March 9 2006

YEREVAN, March 9 (RIA Novosti) – The Central Bank of Armenia announced
Thursday that it was lowing interest rates from 16% to 15% per year.

The decision was taken by Central Bank Chairman Tigran Sarkisyan.

The move came after a similar cut in the interest rate on November 1
2005, from 17% to 16%, as the authorities sought to encourage private
business to expand.