INVESTMENTS IN REAL ECONOMIC SECTOR OF ARMENIA TO EXCEED $400MLN

Arka News Agency, Armenia
Dec 26 2006

YEREVAN. December 26. /ARKA/. According to the results of 2006,
investments in the real economic sector of Armenia, excluding the
loans received by public administration authorities and the banking
sector, will exceed $400mln.

Minister of Trade and Economic Development Karen Chshmarityan told
reporters that a 20-25% growth of investments compared to 2005 is
expected.

He said that over nine months of 2006 this indicator has totaled
$297.4mln, 31.8% increase compared to the corresponding period of
2005. The direct investments in this amount totaled $149mln, 8%
increase compared to 2005.

Chshmarityan pointed out that three basic trends for especially
heavy investments appeared in the country this year: in the sector
of transport, telecommunications, and also metal and mining industry.

"Heavy investments were made particularly by Armenia International
Airports, VivaCell Company, ArmenTel, Unicomp, Synopsis, ArmenAl
plant, Zangezur copper and molybdenum factory, and Viaspher
Technoparkom.