FRANCE TELECOM TO INVEST US$70 MN IN ARMENIA IN 2009

ArmInfo
2009-02-03 16:44:00

ArmInfo. France Telecom (Orange-Armenia) will invest additional US$70
mn in Armenia in 2009, Orange-Armenia Director General Bruno Duthoit
told Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan in Yerevan Tuesday,
a governmental press release says. B. Duthoit said investments will
be made to provide mobile communication services to broad sections of
population in Yerevan and in the regions. The company is currently at
the stage of formation. Till the end of 2009 the preparation work will
be completed and the company will launch services, he said. B. Duthoit
thanked the government of Armenia for the international tender for
selection of a third mobile operator in the country and creation
of favorable conditions for business. For his part, Prime Minister
Tigran Sargsyan welcomed France Telecom entering the Armenian market
and said that it is high time for another serious company to launch
activity in the Armenian telecommunications market. T. Sargsyan
is sure that France Telecom will increase competitiveness of the
country’s telecommunications. As a result, consumers will gain. The
premier said that new jobs will be created due to the investments,
which is especially important in conditions of the world financial
and economic crisis. Tigran Sargsyan is sure that Orange-Armenia
will bring new business culture to Armenia and boost Armenian-French
friendly relations.

Public Services Regulatory Commission of Armenia granted FTA-Telecom
(Armenian subsidiary of France Telecom) a license for exploitation
of a mobile GSM network in Armenia for 15 years. Orange SA, part
of France Telecom, was recognized the winner of the tender since it
offered the highest bid – 51.5 million euro. The winner will invest
at least 200 million euro within 15 years.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress