UNISTREAM SYSTEM TURNOVER IN ARMENIA IN 2009 MADE UP $551 MILLION

ArmInfo
2010-01-18 10:13:00

ArmInfo. UNIStream international money transfer system assured $551
mln turnover in Armenia in 2009, that is lower than the indicator of
2008 by 31%, Unibank told ArmInfo.

According to the source, the volume of money transfer to Armenia out
of the total turnover of UNIStream in the republic made up $494.9 mln
(the number of money transfer – 671507 transactions), and that from
Armenia – $56.1 mln (the number – 40951 transactions). The lion’s share
of transfers by UNIStream to and from Armenia fell on Russia and made
up 96% and 87%, respectively. The second place is held by Ukraine –
0,95% (incoming) and 6% (outgoing), followed by Greece and Georgia.

59% in the total volume of transfers have been carried out in US
dollars, 32% – in Russian rubles, 5% – in Euro and 4% – in Armenian
drams. According to the data of Unibank, 51% of the Armenian money
transfer market falls on the UNIStream (on transfers sent and
received).

According to the data of Armenia’s Central Bank, net inflow of private
transfers to Armenia through commercial banks by international payment
systems made up 102 bln drams by late 3Q, 2009, having grown by 37%
(by 28 bln drams), as compared to 2Q, and having reduced by 24%
(by 34 bln drams), as compared to 3Q, 2008. CB forecasted 30-35%
reduction of private transfers inflow to Armenia for 2009.

To note, UNIStream has been operating in Armenia through its exclusive
partner, Unibank, since the second half of 2002.