GAS USERS IN ARMENIA WILL NOT SUFFER FROM RISE OF TARIFF, DIRECTOR OF ARMRUSGAZPROM SAYS

Noyan Tapan
April 16, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 16, NOYAN TAPAN. Gas users of Armenia will not suffer
from the rise of the gas tariff on May 1st. The chairman of the board
of ArmRusgazprom CJSC, director general Karen Karapetian announced at
the April 16 press conference that the number of users consuming up
to 300 cubic meters of gas makes 89 thousand and the monthly amount
of difference due to the rise of the tariff will make about 700 drams
(about 2.2 USD), while the montly difference for those using 300-500
cubic meters will make 1,000-1,100 drams. In his words, the business
sector will not be affected either as the tariff of 159 USD for 1,000
cubic meters to be used with respect to it from May 1st is quite low
as compared with neighboring countries, for example, Georgia where
this tariff makes 257-283 USD.

K. Karapetian said that Armenia is the only country to receive Russian
gas for 110 USD for 1,000 cubic meters. For Example, Russia supplies
gas to Belarus for 128 USD, to Lithuania- for 340-380 USD, Bulgaria –
for 276 USD, Sweden – 904 USD and to Denmark – for 1,115 USD.

According to K. Karapetian, the chairman of Gazprom company’s
board Alexey Miller will visit Armenia in May. During the visit,
the formula of gas tariff formation for the next three years will be
determined. K. Karapetian expressed confidence that henceforth too
gas will be accessible both to residents-users and to the business
environment.