Armenian Gdp Grows By 9.9% In January 2008 On Same Month Of 2007

ARMENIAN GDP GROWS BY 9.9% IN JANUARY 2008 ON SAME MONTH OF 2007

Noyan Tapan
Feb 21, 2008

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 20, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenian GDP made 101 bln 207.9
mln drams (about 329.85 mln USD) in January 2008, exceeding by 9.9%
the index of the same month of the previous year. According to the
RA National Statistical Service, GDP index-deflator made 6.5%.

The total amount of industrial production made 51 bln 726.2 mln drams
in January 2008, growing by 0.1% as compared with the previous year,
idustrial production without diamond production made 50 bln 720.9
mln drams, growing by 1.9%. The gross agricultural output made 13
bln 747.9 mln drams (0.2% growth), while construction amounted to 7
bln 35.9 mln drams (79.7% growth).

Retail trade turnover made 57 bln 835.7 mln drams in January 2008,
increasing by 10.7% as compared with January 2007, while services
amounted to 37 bln 95 mln drams, growing by 7.4%.

The consumer price index made 106.6%, while the index of prices of
manufacturers’ production – 107.1% in January 2008 on the same month
of 2007.

The number of officially registered unemployed made 72.3 thousand,
declining by 14.5% as compared with January 2007.

The average monthly nominal salary made 84.353 thousand drams in
Armenia in January 2008. The same index with respect to employees of
budgetary institutions made 61.239 thousand drams (22.6% growth),
with respect to employees of nonbudgetary institutions – 104.297
thousand drams (25% growth).

The foreign trade of Armenia made 336.9 mln dollars, or by 29.4% more
than in January 2007. The same indices without diamond trade made 319.7
mln dollars and 36.6% respectively. Exports amounted to 61 mln dollars,
growing by 2.4%, exports with diamond export made 52.7 mln dollars,
growing by 12.7%. Imports made 275.9 mln dollars, growing by 37.4%,
imports without diamond import made 267 mln drams, increasing by 42.6%.

The average exchange rate of the Armenian dram against the US dollar
made 306.83 drams in January 2008 – as compared with 342.08 drams in
whole 2007.