ARMENIA’S POPULATION SPENDS 13.2% OF ITS INCOME BETWEEN JANUARY AND JULY 2006 FOR BUYING CURRENCIES

Arka News Agency, Armenia
Aug. 31, 2006

YEREVAN, August 31. /ARKA/. Armenia’s population spent 13.2% of its
income between January and July 2006 for buying currencies (11.4%
in Jan-July 2005), National Statistical Service of Armenia said in
its report sent to ARKA News Agency on Thursday that the population
expenses for currency purchase grew 39.1% in Jan-July 2006, compared
with the same period a year earlier, while its aggregate income rose
only 19.4% and expenses 21.2%.

People spent 78.8% of their incomes for buying goods and paying for
services in Jan-July 2006 against 80.7% at the same period of 2005.

These expenses grew 16.5% in Jan-July 2006, compared with the same
period of previous year.

Binding and voluntary payments rose 18.1% under pegged share in total
amount of income.

People’s expenses were 1.2 percentage points less than their incomes
in Jan-July 2006. Incomes exceeded expenses 2.7% in Jan-July 2005.

Population income totaled AMD 846824.9mln in Jan-July 2006 after
growing 19.4%, compared with Jan-July 2005, and expenses totaled AMD
836609.3mln after growing by 21.2%, compared with the mentioned period
in 2005. ($1 – AMD 396.54).