Armenian-Russian Trade Turnover $303.7 Mln In Jan-Sept 2006

ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN TRADE TURNOVER $303.7MLN IN JAN-SEPT 2006

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Dec 4 2006

YEREVAN, December 4. /ARKA/. Armenian-Russian trade turnover totaled
$303.7mln in January-September 2006 against $352.9mln in the year
2005, RA Premier Andranik Margaryan stated at his meeting with RF
Premier Mikhail Fradkov.

The sides discussed bilateral trade and economic cooperation. The
Armenian Premier pointed out its active development in 2006.

Margaryan also pointed out increasing Russian investments in Armenia
and the modernization of the "Armenal" foil-producing plant, which
is supposed to have an essential impact on the trade turnover. The
Armenian Premier also made a high appraisal of the activities of
the Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation Margaryan
said that rapid modernization and re-operation of the Armenian
enterprises transferred to Russia under the "Property against Debt"
will contribute to the expansion of economic ties and attraction of
new economic entities.

Premier Margaryan pointed out the success of Armenia-Russian
cooperation in the traditional spheres, such as energy, metallurgy
and chemical industry. Among other promising spheres are information
technologies, small and medium business, tourism. The RA Prime Minister
pointed out active bilateral cooperation in the banking sphere.

According to Margaryan, Armenian businessmen are also interested
in cooperating with producers of agricultural equipment. The sided
addressed the issue of promptly resolving the problem of supplying
Russian equipment to Armenia via Georgia.

An Armenian Premier-headed delegation went to Moscow on November 30 to
take part in the official closing of the Year of Armenia in Russia. On
December 1, 2006, the Armenian Premier held a meeting with his Russian
counterpart Mikahil Fradkov. The following day Premier Margaryan went
to Saint Petersburg to take part in the opening of the "History of
Armenia" exhibition at the Hermitage. The same day Margaryan took
part in the official closing of the Year of Armenia in Russia.