GDP Of Armenia Drops By 15.7% In January-May 2009 On Same Period Of

GDP OF ARMENIA DROPS BY 15.7% IN JANUARY-MAY 2009 ON SAME PERIOD OF 2008

Noyan Tapan
June 19, 2009

YEREVAN, JUNE 19, NOYAN TAPAN. Real GDP of Armenia in January-May
2009 made up 84.3% of the country’s GDP in the same period of last
year (that is, it dropped by 15.7%) and amounted to 839bn 356m drams
(over 2bn 439m USD as calculated at the average exchange rate of 344.31
drams per dollar in January-May). The index-delator of GDP made 101.4%.

According to RA National Statistical Service, industrial production
fell by 10.5% to 226bn 890m drams in Armenia in January-May 2009 on
the same months of 2008.

The gross agricultural output fell by 2.9% to 81bn 129m drams,
construction – by 56.1% to 72bn 971m drams, retail trade grew by 0.2%
to 335bn 508m drams, and services declined by 1.7% to 274bn 733m drams.

The foreign trade of Armenia fell by 33.7% compared with January-May
2008 and made 1bn 312m USD, with exports falling by 47.8% to 220.1m
USD and imports declining by 29.9% to 1bn 92m USD. The foreign trade
turnover in May made up 84.1% of the foreign trade in April, with
imports making 83.8% respectively.

Consumer prices rose by 2.5%, while industrial production prices fell
by 4.3% in January-May 2009 on the same period of 2008.

The number of officially registered unemployed grew by 9.8% to 83.9
thousand in late May 2009 as compared with the same month of 2008.

The average monthly nominal salary amounted to 97,527 drams in
January-May 2009 (a 13.4% growth on the same period of 2008), including
the average salary of 80,857 drams in the state sector (17.6% growth)
and the salary of 121,990 drams in the non-state sector (7.9% growth).

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