Author: Garik Boshkezenian

 15:32, 21 February 2023

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 21, ARMENPRESS. Mining ensured nearly 200 billion drams in tax revenues to the state budget in 2022, i.e. 10% of the total of 2 trillion of revenue of the budget was provided by the mining sector, the First Deputy Director General of the Zangezur Copper and Molybdenum Combine, President of the Union of Miners and Mettalurgists Vardan Jhanyan said at a press conference.

However, he added, such “unprecedented” revenues aren’t expected in 2023.

“2022 was unprecedented in terms of the state budget revenues. 10% of the over 2 trillion in revenue was ensured by mining, that is, mining secured nearly 200 billion drams in revenues to the state budget,” Jhanyan said.

But this year there won’t be such high figures. Jhanyan pointed out several factors while explaining the projection. For example, the export duty for metal concentrates has been lifted. Last year, taxes were paid under the 2021 profitability calculation. “We don’t expect such unprecedented revenues in 2023, but in the next years when the output will grow we expect such tax revenues,” Jhanyan said.

Speaking about the challenges facing the sector, he pointed out the dram appreciation.

“Now the exchange rate is 20-30% more than in the beginning of 2022. Everyone in the sector is an exporter, they are in a very difficult situation. Their expenses are in drams but profits are in dollars. And today many exporting companies in the sector are working with damages,” he said. But Jhanyan is against any intervention by the Central Bank in this matter. He said that the Union of Miners and Mettalurgists presented recommendations to the government, such as easing the tax burden or at least offering tax breaks.

The sector has two main products in Armenia: copper concentrate (which contains gold) and ferromolybdenum.

The main market for exports of ferromolybdenum has been Europe, with some volumes being exported to Russia, while China has been the main market for copper concentrate.

The Zangezur Copper and Molybdenum Combine increased its output and exports in 2022 by 20%.

 14:48,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 24, ARMENPRESS. Former San Diego track star Allison Halverson is now officially eligible to represent Armenia, according to the Armenian Athletic Federation.

Armenian Athletic Federation General Secretary Narine Shahbazyan told ARMENPRESS that Halverson, 31, was granted Armenian citizenship back in 2019 but under rules of World Athletics she had to wait after changing national affiliation to represent the given country.

Halverson had to wait two years because she was a member of the United States national team in the past.

“Halverson herself requested [federation president]Robert Emmiyan to represent Armenia. A few years ago she wanted to participate in the Tokyo Olympics. There is no clarity yet regarding which track competitions she will compete at,” Shahbazyan said.

Earlier in 2021, the Times of San Diego reported that if Halverson didn’t have to wait she’d likely had been on Team Armenia headed for Tokyo — perhaps as a wildcard entrant in the 100-meter dash.

 21:40,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 21, ARMENPRESS. According to the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Mikhail Galuzin, the decision of Brussels to launch an EU civilian mission in Armenia has a clear geopolitical context, which does not contribute to real stabilization in Transcaucasia, ARMENPRESS reports the Russian Foreign Ministry said, noting that the Russian diplomat announced this during a telephone conversation with Toivo Klaar, the EU's special representative in the South Caucasus.

On the initiative of the EU side, on February 21, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Mikhail Galuzin, and the Co-Chair of the International Geneva Discussions on Security and Stability in the Transcaucasia, the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Toivo Klaar, held a telephone conversation.

While discussing the topic of normalization of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, Mikhail Galuzin noted that Brussels' decision to launch an EU civilian mission in Armenia has a clear geopolitical context, which does not contribute to real stabilization in Transcaucasia. The lack of consensus between Baku and Yerevan on this initiative was emphasized.

 19:59, 1 September 2022

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. Russia will suspend supplies of oil and petroleum products to states, which will decide to restrict the price of oil from the country, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told reporters today, reports TASS.

"As far as price restrictions are concerned, if they impose restrictions on prices, we will simply not supply oil and petroleum products to such companies or states that impose restrictions as we will not work non-competitively," he said.

 10:01,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 29, ARMENPRESS. Armenian chess player Aram Hakobyan marked his second consecutive victory at the 22nd Dubai Open’s 2nd round.

Meanwhile, Samvel Ter-Sahakyan ended his game in a draw.