RA GOVERNMENT SEEKS COLLABORATION

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[01:03 pm] 25 January, 2008

Armenia’s Prime Minister Serzh Sarkissian received the delegation of
"Gasprombank" OJSC headed by President of the Company’s Governing
Council Andrey Akimov.

The Armenian Premier noted that the entry of "Gasprombank," a leader
in the banking system of the Russian Federation, into the Armenian
financial market will become an impetus for the development of
cooperation between the financial and banking spheres of the two
countries. Serge Sargsyan noted that the reciprocally beneficial
cooperation with large and renowned financial structures like
"Gasprombank" is one of the priority directions of RA Government’s
economic policy.

He assured the presentees that "our country is trying to make the
business atmosphere more attractive for large investments and is
taking steps to improve the field." The Prime Minister underlined
that this is furthered by the steady economic growth over the past
years and the growing volume of investments into Armenian economy.

Expressing gratitude to RA Government and the Prime Minister for
the support, Andrey Akimov said he considers the cooperation with
Armenia attractive and prospective. He assured that the entry of
"Gasprombank" into Armenia will be targeted at the development of
the country’s banking and financial system. According to him, there
are good opportunities for collaboration and investments in different
branches of economy, in particular in the field of energy.

At the end of the meeting the Prime Minister wished success to
"Gasprombank" and noted that the Armenian Government is ready to
discuss any suggestion and initiative directed towards the development
of mutually beneficial cooperation.