WB Forecasts Zero GDP Growth In Armenia In 2009

WB FORECASTS ZERO GDP GROWTH IN ARMENIA IN 2009

ARKA
Feb 25, 2009

YEREVAN, February 25. /ARKA/. The World Bank (WB) forecasts zero GDP
growth in Armenia in 2009, said Aristomene Varoudakis, Head of the
WB office in Yerevan.

With the recent unfavorable trends in the global economy, as well as
a worse economic situation in Russia, Armenia’s major trade partner,
the prospects for this year are not optimistic, Varoudakis told
reporters. He pointed out a decrease in the GDP in Armenia this
January.

This January the GDP showed a decrease of 0.7% as compared with
last January.

According to Varoudakis, zero GDP growth will at best be registered in
Armenia this year. On the other hand, he expressed hope for positive
changes in 2010 due to the measures being implemented now as well as
the improvement of the world market situation.

Varoudakis stressed the necessity for competent budget planning with
the real economic situation considered.

4,169bln AMD GDP and 9.2% r4eal GDP growth have been budgeted in
Armenia for this year.

Last year, 6.8% GDP growth was registered in the country against the
budgeted 10%.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS