RUSSIAN TRADE REP FORECASTS $1BLN TRADE WITH ARMENIA THIS YEAR

ARKA
Dec 11, 2008

YEREVAN, December 11. /ARKA/. RF Trade Representative in Armenia
Alexander Zaitsev does not rule out that the Armenian-Russian trade
turnover will reach $1bln by the end of this year.

"The bilateral trade turnover may reach $1bln – we have yet time
left – but it is not a matter of principle, it may reach $980mln,"
Zaitsev told a press conference at the Novosti press center.

He pointed out that the actual figure may be influenced by the
probable postponement of the purchase of one SuperJet 100 airplane
by the Armavia airline.

Julien Dufour, Armavia Commercial Director, reported earlier that
the first Sukhoi Superjet (SSJ) -100 would arrive in Armenia in
October 2009.

"The likely reason is not the bilateral relations, but the fact the
airplane recently underwent flight tests, and it is only after a
certain period that it may form part of Armavia fleet," Zaitsev said.

He pointed out that the Armenian-Russian trade turnover reached $860mln
January through October – an increase of over 19% as compared with
the corresponding period last year.

Armenia’s exports to Russian totaled $187mln – an increase of almost
20%, and imports from Russia $680mln – an increase of almost 20%
as compared with the corresponding period last year.

Zaitsev said that Russia’s share in Armenia’s fore ign trade
turnover is about 20%, the highest index among the trade partners of
Armenia.