Mediamax, Armenia
May 29 2009
Over 780,000 eligible voters in Armenian capital – official
Yerevan, 29 May: According to the voter lists that have already been
clarified, 781,477 people can take part in the 31 May mayoral election
in Yerevan, the head of the Visa and Passports Department of the
Armenian Police, Lt-Col Norayr Muradkhanyan, told in Yerevan today,
Mediamax reports.
He said that the number of voters has increased by 10,124 people since
July 2008.
Unemployment rate raises 35 per cent in 2009 in CIS
30.05.2009 15:12 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The labor market situation has continued to
deteriorate since the start of the financial crisis. In March
International Labor Organization (ILO) estimated, that global
unemployment would increase in between 24 and 52 million in 2009 as
compared to 2007. ILO’s current projection suggests that the range
will be between 39 and 59 million.
In CIS and South East European countries the unemployment level will
increase by 35 per cent. This means that 220 to 239 million people
would be jobless this year. In 2008 the number of unemployed reached
190 million. The level of unemployment among young generation can grow
by 14 to 15 per cent.
International Labor Organization calls on the states to implement more
coordinated measures and recommends to intensify road and building
construction projects thus creating new jobs. ILO suggests to discuss
the adoption of the `Global employment Pact’ at the international
labor conference to be held between June 3 and 19.
Referring the past experience, ILO states that restoration of the
labor market can take 4 to 5 years starting from economical
upturn. The labor market annually completed with 45 million people,
and it means that over the period between 2009 and 2015 300 million
new job places must be created for ensuring them with work.
The number of unemployed in Armenia grew by 6.5 per cent in April
against the same period of last year and reached 81 200
people. According to the official data of the RA National Statistical
Service, in April the unemployment rate in the country grew by 3.2 per
cent compared to March.
Impulse continues leading the Football First League of Armenia
30.05.2009 15:14 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Matches of 8th tournament of the national
championship of football First league of Armenia took place. Dilijan’s
Impulse won and with 19 points, went by 6 ahead of Banants-2, Pyunik-2
and Shirak-2.
Results of the 8th tournament:
Banants-2 – Pyunik-3 – 1:0
Goals: David Syuzyan – 49 minute,
Shirak-2 – Shengavit – 0:0
Goals: Ararat Poghosyan – 38-pen. (Banants-3), Hayk Ishkhanyan – 26,
Vahan Hokobyan – 80 (Shirak-2)
Pyunik-2 – Banants-3 – 4:2
Goals: Artak Hovhannesyan – 3,63, 75, Khoren Manucharyan – 87
(Pyunik-2), Artush Kerobyan – 4, 20 (Banants-3).
Impuls -Mika-2 – 2:1
Goals: Vardan Petrosyan – 37, 51 (Impuls), Gor Poghosyan- 89
pen. (Mika-2)
Standings after 8th tournaments:
1. Impuls – 19 scores
2 Banants-2 – 13
3. Pyunik-2 – 13
4. Shirak-2 – 13
5. Shengavit- 12
6. Gandzasar-2 – 10
7. Mika-2 – 5
8. Pyunik -3 – 2
9. Banants-3 – 2
OSCE MG: NO DOCUMENT WILL BE SIGNED IN ST. PETERSBURG
/PanARMENIAN.Net/
29.05.2009 18:39 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "We don’t expect Armenian and Azeri Presidents to
sign any documents, but we do believe there’ll be some progress,"
OSCE MG Co-Chair Matthew Bryza said after meeting with Azeri President
Ilham Aliyev. The American diplomat characterized the current visit
to Baku as preparation for the Sargsyan-Aliev meeting scheduled in
St. Petersburg for June 4.
In a meeting with Azeri FM Elmar Mamedyarov and Deputy FM Araz Azimov,
Co-Chairs discussed conceptions and some details concerning the
"basic principles", Trend News quotes Bryza as saying.
OSCE MG Co-Chairs observe progress in Karabakh settlement talks,
but they do not expect Armenian and Azeri Presidents to sign any
documents during the upcoming meeting.
NET PROFIT OF INGO ARMENIA INSURANCE COMPANY PLANNED AT 200MLN DRAMS IN 2009
ARKA
May 29, 2009
YEREVAN, May 29. /ARKA/. Net profit of INGO Armenia insurance company
is expected to be 200mln Drams in 2009 against the target level of
400mln Drams, Executive Director of the company Levon Altunyan said
in his interview to ARKA Agency.
The company is to ensure the profit at the cost of insurance premiums
attracted rather through the company’s active efforts that owing
to the market situation, Altunyan said expressing belief in the
company’s potential.
He also pointed out that the company plans to ensure a positive
profit indicator by the end of 2009, as well as raise policy holders’
confidence through full compensation of insurance payments.
Net profit of INGO Armenia totaled 218mln Drams in the first quarter
of 2009 – a 2.7-time increase against the level of the same period
of last year.
The company gained the highest profit among insurance companies of
Armenia over the reporting period – 132.6mln Drams. At the end of the
fourth quarter 2008 the company had the highest profit from insurance
activities – 517.5mln Drams.
INGO Armenia closed joint stock company was founded in 1997 and was
operating under Efes name in the beginning.
In 2004 Russian INGOSSTRAKH purchased 75% of the company’s shares
and the company was named ING (Russia), IngoNorm (Finland), Garant
(Austria), IN GO UKRAINA afterwards.
The company was recognized as the leading insurance company of Armenia
in 2005-2008 and had the leading positions on collection of insurance
premiums and payment of insurance compensation that totaled 1.948bln
Drams and 461.945mln Drams in 2008 respectively.
The company’s assets amounted to 2.015bln Drams by the end of
2008. The company has licenses for 11 kinds of insurance including
reinsurance. It offers about 30 various policies and insurance kinds,
including property insurance, car insurance, medical insurance,
tourism insurance, freight insurance and etc. ($1=370.89Drams).
PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA: BOTH OPPOSITIONAL POLITICAL AND PRO-POWER FORCES SHOULD BE READY TO ACCEPT RESULTS OF ELECTION OF YEREVAN COUNCIL OF ELDERS
ArmInfo
2009-05-29 11:29:00
ArmInfo. The Republican party of Armenia could hold a well-
organized election campaign, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan told
journalists. ‘As a resident of Yerevan and leader of the Republican
party of Armenia I think no one doubts of my desires regarding the
results I expect from the forthcoming election’, the president said
and continued: ‘I am also glad that our coalitional counterpart,
"Prosperous Armenia" party has shown a very responsible approach to the
election of the Council of Elders, and today, it is among the leading
forces. "Prosperous Armenia" will play a role in Yerevan administration
without fail’. The president also wished success to another coalitional
party, "Orinats Yerkir", in the forthcoming election.
‘The same concerns ARF Dashnaktsutyun. I think participation of
ARFD as a constructive opposition in administration of the capital
will be of benefit for our country and the capital, in particular’,
S. Sargsyan emphasized. As a president of the republic, S. Sargsyan
views the election as a process to be held only within the frames of
the law. ‘All the political forces, both oppositional and pro-power,
should be ready to accept the election results’, S. Sargsyan said.
ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT TO DISCUSS RATIFICATION PROBLEM OF RUSSIA STABILIZING CREDIT $500 MLN ON 2 JUNE
ArmInfo
2009-05-29 16:59:00
ArmInfo. On 2 June at its extraordinary session Armenian parliament
will discuss the problem on ratification of the Russia stabilizing
credit $500 mln on 2 June, Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisyan said at
the government sitting on Friday.
He also added that a part of the credit will be directed to financing
of the budget deficit 2009. In particular, the government is going to
direct 24 bln drams for restoration of the Spitak earthquake zone,
15 bln drams to develop small and medium-sized business. He also
said that sums will be allocated to plants to overcome temporary
difficulties because of the world crisis.
Tigran Sarkisyan said that the stabilizing fund will be formed in
Armenian Central Bank by means of the Russian credit to Armenia. A
part of the sums will be spent in 2010 to finance the budget deficit
2010 and another part the government will direct to holding of
the anti-crisis events. ‘We need the stabilizing fund to ensure
macroeconomic stability as in the conditions of the crisis it is
very much difficult to predict the GDP indicator in 2009 and the tax
revenues. This fund will create more favorable atmosphere for positive
expectations in the country’, – premier said.
To recall, on 20 May Russia signed an agreement with Armenia on giving
$500 mln credit.
MEDIAMAX AGENCY CELEBRATED ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY
/PanARMENIAN.Net/
26.05.2009 16:30 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Despite most of our colleagues’ pessimistic
forecasts, in 10 years we’ve passed a long way and have nothing
whatever to be sorry for. All we’ve achieved, was done with hard work,
strength of will and patience," Mediamax information agency director
Ara Tadevosyan told during anniversary celebration.
High rankings officials, specifically, RA President Serzh Sargsyan,
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan and ex-President Robert Kocharyan
congratulated the agency on its 10th anniversary.
Mediamax information agency was launched in May 1999. In 2000
the agency signed collaboration agreement with "News Time" Russian
daily. Mediamax information agency’s website has been operating since
2001. In 2008-2009 Mediamax launched Capitalmarket.am, Itel.am,
Banks.am internet portals, later united into Mediamax internet
holding. In April 2009 the agency has signed collaboration agreement
with Prognoz Russian IT company.
SUMMARY INVESTMENTS OF ARMENIAN COMMERCIAL BANKS IN GOVERNMENT BONDS DOWN ALMOST 16% TO $175 MILLION OVER 1Q OF 2009
ArmInfo
2009-05-23 12:50:00
ArmInfo. Summary investments of Armenian commercial banks in government
bonds were down 15.9% to 64.4 billion drams ($175 million) over 1Q
of 2009.
As compared to March 31 2008, this indicator was down 33.6%. The
share of investments of commercial banks in government bonds in total
assets made up 5.6% on March 31 2009 versus 11.8% a year ago. Experts
say investments in government bonds have suffered decline due to the
crisis phenomena caused by the global financial crisis that makes banks
to sale the trading book of government bonds to maintain crediting
growth rates. Experts say it is connected with the small number
of the banks involved in the international programs. As a result,
external financing for them is insufficient to provide loans. Many
of local banks have no external financing at all.
Analysis and the Ranking of the Armenian Banking System prepared by
the Agency of Rating Marketing Information (ArmInfo), ArmSwissbank
is the leader by 9.9 billion drams investment in government bonds
($26.9 million), HSBC Bank Armenia is in the second position by 9.3
billion drams ($25.4 million).
Unibank goes the third by 7.8 billion drams ($21.1 million), Converse
Bank is the 4th by 5.7 billion drams ($15.4 million) and VTB-Armenia
is the 5th by 4.1 billion drams ($11.3 million). The share of three
banks in total investments by commercial banks in government bonds
totaled 42% for 1Q of 2009: ArmSwissbank (15.4%), HSBC Bank Armenia
(14.5%) and Unibank (12.1%).
Seven banks ensured an annual growth of investments in government
bonds.
Artsakhbank ensured the largest growth of 42%. Seven banks ensured
the growth of investments in government bonds over 1Q of 2009. The
largest growth was registered at Anelik Bank – 6 times. This indicator
of another 14 banks suffered annual and quarterly decline.
Volume 9, Number 20
May 22, 2009
BIGOTRY MONITOR
A Weekly Human Rights Newsletter on Antisemitism, Xenophobia, and Religious
Persecution in the Former Communist World and Western Europe
EDITOR: CHARLES FENYVESI
(News and Editorial Policy within the sole discretion of the editor)
Published by UCSJ: Union of Councils for Jews in the Former Soviet Union
____________________________________________ _______________
SLAP ON THE WRIST FOR RACIST POLICEMAN WHO ATTACKED ARMENIAN FAMILY. A
suspended sentence handed down by a court in the Russian Republic of Adygeya
has gone into force against a police officer who attacked an Armenian
family, according to a May 19 report by the Sova Center for Information and
Analysis. Adam Tlekhuray was convicted of "hooliganism motivated by ethnic
hatred" in connection with a July 6, 2008 attack. According to the verdict,
on that day in the village of Enem, officer Tlekhuray was driving around
drunk when he noticed an Armenian family and started yelling at them. He got
out of his private car, threatened the family while mentioning that he was a
police officer, and began to punch and kick a 12-year-old boy while
threatening to have the family deported. He then assaulted a passerby who
tried to calm him down. Despite the abuse of his authority, Tlekhuray got
off with only a two year suspended sentence and the loss of his job on the
force.
______________________________________ _______________________
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