13.8% Economy Growth In January-November 2007

13,8% ECONOMY GROWTH IN JANUARY-NOVEMBER 2007
By A. Martirosian

AZG Armenian Daily
21/12/2007

According to the Nationals Statistics Service, the economy growth
rate was preserved in January-November 2007 and equaled 13,6%. The
economy growth rate was highest in January-October, after which it
declined slightly. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) index equaled
2,711 billion AMD.

The construction and services spheres remain the leaders in economy
growth, having respectively 19% and 20,8% rates.

The industrial production growth rate is lower than that of
construction, it makes only 2,7%, but at the same time that
indicator is stable and has even displayed growth tendency this
month. Electricity power generation excluded, the industrial
production growth rate equals 1,7%, and diamond cutting excluded –
9,1%. Agriculture production grew by 9,6%, retail trade grew by 8,9%.

The foreign trade volume grew by 39,1%, reaching almost $4
billion. Export from Armenia made up $1,61 billion, which is 21,2%
more than in the relevant period of the previous year. The volume of
import to Armenia made $2,871 billion, which is 47,2% more than in
the relevant period of the previous year. Thus, the negative turnover
balance grew and equaled $1,810 billion.

In January-November 2007 average monthly salary in Armenia made
up AMD 82 thousand, of which AMD 55 thousand in budget sector and
AMD 105 thousand in private sector. Salary growth made up 20,5%,
as compared with January-November 2006.