ARMENIAN MINISTRY DRAWS UP NATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

Mediamax, Armenia
Nov 21 2006

Yerevan, 21 November: The Ministry of Trade and Economic Development
has drawn up a national strategic programme of stable economic
development in Armenia, the chief advisor of the minister, Meruzhan
Akopyan, said in Yerevan today, Mediamax reports. The programme will be
submitted for the government’s consideration in the very near future.

Meruzhan Akopyan noted that the programme presents the general
approaches on ensuring stable economic development of Armenia. He
said that following the endorsement of the programme, special policies
will be elaborated for each sphere.

Speaking at a news conference in Yerevan today, Meruzhan Akopyan said
that the Armenian exporters continue to face serious difficulties,
caused by the strengthening of the national currency with respect
to the dollar. He noted that some domestic producers were forced to
cancel the dollar contracts which were signed in the beginning of
the current year.

The chief advisor of the trade and economic development minister
suggested that in the present situation the state should assist
exporters. In particular, Akopyan believes that the Central Bank could
have created more favourable conditions for lending to the small and
medium-sized business.