ARMENIAN GDP GROWS 11 PERCENT IN FOUR MONTHS

ARMENPRESS
May 21 2007

YEREVAN, MAY 21, ARMENPRESS: Armenia’s GDP in January-April rose 11
percent from a year ago to almost 478 billion Drams. The country’s
national statistical service said the industrial output in the first
4 months of this year rose 1.7 percent from a year ago to a total of
206.5 billion Drams. Without energy sector output GDP was 163.3 billion
Drams, down 0.2 percent from a year ago. Cut diamond output not counted
the industrial output rose almost 8 percent to 207 billion Drams.

Armenia’s energy generating facilities produced in the four months
2.064 billion kilowatt/hour electricity, down 2.7 percent against
the same time span of 2006.

Agricultural GDP rose 0.7 percent to almost 63 billion
Drams. Construction rose 6.4 percent to 55.2 billion Drams.

The national statistical service said also retail trade turnover in
the reported time span made 227.6 billion Drams, almost a 12 percent
rise from a year ago. The volume of services (trade not counted)
rose 16 percent to 156.4 billion Drams.

Population’s incomes were 529 billion Drams and their expenses rose
to 527.3 billion Drams. These figures rose from a year ago 25 and 22
percent respectively.

There were also 86,300 officially registered unemployed people by the
end of April, down almost 5 percent. The average monthly wage rose
18 percent to 70,000 Drams. Public sector wages rose to 51,000 drams
and private sector wages to 88,000 Drams, marking 16 and 20 percent
rise from a year ago respectively.

Armenia’s foreign trade grew 44 percent to almost $1.200
billion. Exports made $323.1 million and imports $870.5
million. Exports grew 27 and imports 49 percent respectively.

Cut diamonds not counted exports rose 44 percent to $270 million,
while imports grew 59 percent to $814.5 million.