5,5% GDP GROWTH IN ARMENIA IN 1Q

ArmInfo
2010-04-20 17:33:00

ArmInfo. Armenia’s GDP in Jan-Mar 2010, as compared to the similar
period of 2009, grew by 5,5%, and in March as compared to February –
by 43,1%. According to the preliminary data of Armenia’s National
Statistical Service, provided to ArmInfo, GDP volume in Jan-Mar 2010
made up 568.1 bln drams or $1.5 bln in absolute terms. GDP index
deflator in Jan-Mar grew by 10,2%.

Among Armenia’s economy sectors, growth in 1Q 2010 has been fixed in
industry – by 10,4%, while in March as compared to February – by 7,7%.

Production volume in industrial sector as of April 1, 2010, made
up 177.5 bln drams ($462.1 mln) in absolute terms or 31,2% of GDP
(ArmInfo). Index of prices of industrial produce in Jan-Mar grew by
37,7%, and in March as compared to February – by 2,8%. Volume of
electricity generation for the 1st quarter 2010 grew by 9,8%, and
in March as compared to February – by 16,1% to 1584.5 mln kWh. 3,2%
growth has been fixed in agriculture in Jan-Mar, while 14,7% growth
has been fixed in this sphere in March as compared to February.

Gross production volume in agriculture in absolute terms by early
April, 2010, made up 42.5 bln drams ($111 mln). 0,6% fall has been
fixed in construction in 1Q, and in March as compared to February –
over twofold growth to 47 bln drams ($122 mln). Retail trade volume in
Jan-Mar grew by 1% per annum, nd in March as compared to February –
by 0,5% to 211 bln drams ($549.2 mln). Services to population made
up 174 bln drams ($453 mln) in absolute terms by later March, having
grown in March as compared to February by 30,8%, and as compared to
1Q 2009 – by 6,2%.

Foreign turnover in 1Q 2010 grew by 29% per annum, and in march as
compared to February – by 15,4% to $1012.7 mln or 388.7 bln drams. In
its structure, export in Jan- Mar grew by 60,9%, and in March as
compared to February – by 11,1%. Import in 1Q grew by 23,1%, and in
March as compared to February – by 16,5%.

Inflation in March as compared to December 2009 made up 2,9%, in
Jan-Mar, as compared to the similar period of the previous year –
8,4%. AMD settlement rate made up 384,08 AMD/ $1 USD.