9.6% GDP Growth Registered in Armenia in Jan-Aug, 2004

9.6% GDP GROWTH REGISTERED IN ARMENIA IN JAN-AUG, 2004

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 20. ARMINFO. The highest GDP growth in Armenia was
registered in Jan-Aug, 2004 – 9.6%. ARMINFO was informed in the press
service of the National Statistical Service of Armenia, according to
preliminary data, in Aug as against July the economic growth made up
2.4%. By the end of Aug 2004 the GDP totaled 980.2 bln drams. The GDP
index-deflator grew by 7.3%.

In Jan-Aug of the current year the Gross agriculture produce increased
by 14.4% as against the same period of 2003, totaling 234.1 bln drams
and in Aug as against July it increased by 15.8%. Volume of
construction decreased by 26.5.% in Aug as against July, and in
Jan-Aug it increased by 17.8%, reaching 131.9 bln drams.

By the end of Aug, 2004 foreign trade turnover totaled $1.3 bln (717.5
bln drams), decreasing by 5% as against the same period of 2003. The
volume of industrial product totaled 330.9 bln drams (or 33.8% out of
GDP – ARMINFO) in Jan-Aug, increasing by 2.8% as against the same
period of last year, and in Aug as against July it increased by
5.9%. Energy generation increased by 12.2% in Jan-Aug, and in Aug as
against July it increased by 10.3%, totalling 497.6 mln kw/h. In the
period under review the AMD/USD exchange rate was 549.08 drams against
one US dollar.