ARMENIAN PRESIDENT: OWING TO HIGH ECONOMIC GROWTH RATE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF NEW WORKPLACES CREATE IN ARMENIA ANNUALLYFebruary 26, 2005 - 17:41 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Within the past 4 years 11.7% average Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth is observed in Armenia. The small and medium business is accountable for 40% of the GDP, "these are many thousands of enterprising and energetic people," Armenian President Robert Kocharian stated in an interview with the Golos Armenii newspaper. In his words, 50 thousand enterprises are registered in the country, over 34 out of these operate and pay taxes. Over 1.5 thousand new firms were registered in 2004 only, R. Kocharian noted. As noted by the Armenian leader, owing to the high economic growth rate tens of thousands of new workplaces are annually created in Armenia. "Today we experience critical shortage of qualified workers on a whole range of professions. The issue of restoration of professional technical education is urgent for us. We are not in time for a range of branches of economy," R. Kocharian noted. Besides, the President noted that the information technology share in the GDP today makes 1.7%. "Ireland has the best indicator of 8% and we will work for it," R. Kocharian added. Answering a question that many projects of laying railways avoid Armenia, the Armenian President noted that "no rail project has passed us by yet." "The possible various building projects are considered. However the matter concerns the discussion and projects that demand huge expenses. The operating railways are linked with Armenia and do not demand capital spending. They are frozen due to political reasons and can really become working at any moment. It is an undoubted advantage when counting the economy of a project. There is no alternative to the Armenian railway when passing through the North-South corridor. Thus building of new ones has been actively spoken about. By the way, I do not see any tragedy in case these are built - our route will be competitive," R. Kocharian added. Top stories President of the Armenian parliament Alen Simonyan met with the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova. Achieving stable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains a priority of the OSCE, said Ian Borg. The Cabinet of Ministers decided on Thursday, November 9 to allocated AMD 120 million to arrange the gathering. Michael Roth believes sanctions must be put on the table after Baku‘s ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh. Partner news | Your home is in Armenia – Ameriabank offers mortgage loans for the Diaspora To buy real estate, Diasporans can apply to Ameriabank online to buy, renovate or build a home anywhere in Armenia. ARARAT special evening dedicated to Aznavour's 100th Anniv. On May 20 ARARAT legendary Armenian brandy, celebrated the centennial of Maestro Charles Aznavour with a special event. Surveying works underway in Armenia’s Kirants Surveying works are underway in the Armenian village of Kirants in the northern Tavush province. Ameriabank's Trade Finance portfolio enriched with four prestigious awards from EBRD and IFC Ameriabank received the awards from international financial institutions in recognition of its trade finance operations. |