TRADE TURNOVER BETWEEN ARMENIA AND UKRAINE TO REACH $200 MILLION IN 2007

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
10/09/2007 15:31

YEREVAN, September 10. /ARKA/. Trade turnover between Armenia and
Ukraine is expected to reach $200 million in 2007.

Ukrainian Ambassador Alexander Bozhko told ARKA News Agency that he
viewed this figure very impressive.

"This is a great figure showing a high pace of trade relations
development. We want to retain these relations. Important is that
the trade is carried out with taking into consideration both parties’
interests", he said.

The ambassador said that trade turnover between the two countries grows
30 to 40% every year. The last year’s turnover grew 43% to $170mln.

"Ukraine is an important partner to Armenia", Bozhko said.

He said that Ukraine sells 300 000 liters of Armenian brandy every
year and stressed that this sale is greater than in Armenia.

At the same time, Bozhko pointed out transportation as painful problem
remaining unsolved.

He told ARKA News Agency that he had recently attended a meeting of
all Ukrainian diplomats carrying out missions in foreign countries. It
was said at the meeting that a new ferry way – Kerch-Poti – will be
launched in October. It means prices for cargo carriage will reduce
a great deal.

The ambassador also stressed the importance of joint companies.

"The number of such companies is not so great so far, but our economies
should integrate, especially in those areas already having ground
for that", he said.

Bozhko spoke about the recent meeting with representatives of Armenian
business in Ukraine. He said interesting ideas of establishing joint
companies were proposed at the meeting.

Trade turnover between Armenia and Ukraine grew 44.9% in Jan-July
2007 to $149.3mln. Armenian exports to Ukraine reached $21mln after
growing 2.1 times, compared with the same period a year earlier.

Ukrainian imports to Armenia grew 37.7% to $128.3mln.

Total volume of commodities imported in Armenia from Ukraine amounted
to $88.8 million after growing 43.3%.