Armenia and world:

Armenia to raise agricultural production competitiveness at international market

To revive the business, it was decided to grant the companies importing fertilizers and farming machines exemption from VAT.

May 7, 2011
Processing industry is an important chain in agriculture. Among the pressing problems are: low tax collection level (13% to the national budget against 25% from other fields). Although the turnover in the processing industry in 2010 increased by 35% compared to 2009 to total AMD 65 billion, the amount of taxes collected did not grow, comprising AMD 5 billion. Lack of progress is explained by some peculiarities, including terms of sales and problems with circulations of documents.
Sport:

Levon Aronian ranked highest among Candidates Matches 2011 participants

Review of April 28 – May 2 main sports events

May 5, 2011
Chess: FIDE has published the rankings of world’s 100 strongest chess players. The men’s list is topped by India’s Viswanathan Anand (2817 points), followed by Norway’s Magnus Carlsen (2815 points) and Armenia’s Levon Aronian (2808 points). Sergei Movsesian is 35th, Gabriel Sargissian is 65th and Vladimir Akopian is 71st. Among women, Elina Danielyan is 14th while Lilit Mkrtchyan is 31st. Armenia is ranked as 4th best chess playing country.
Economy:

Armenian banks need 2 years to restore pre-crisis revenues

According to chairman of the Union of Banks of Armenia, the interests rates in Armenia are lowering and the tendency will be preserved in the future.

April 30, 2011
To better familiarize himself with the problems of the banking sector, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan held a working meeting that brought together heads of 21 commercial banks operating in the Republic of Armenia.
Politics:

Last warning from Levon Ter-Petrossian

The leader of the Armenian National Congress faces a serious dilemma: either to escalate the conflict with the authorities or get satisfied with fulfillment of some of his demands.

April 26, 2011
The recent rallies of the Armenian National Congress (ANC) aroused a large number of questions. Abrupt change of the ANC strategy and its leader’s statements about the necessity of a dialogue with the authorities caused hot debates among politicians, experts and ordinary people, the main question being whether Levon Ter-Petrossian clinched a deal with the authorities or his conduct is just a tactical move.
IT & Telecom:

Employers and job seekers: how to find each other

Arpine Grigoryan։ each job seeker should understand why to apply for this “x” job in this “x” company but not for “y” job in “y” company.

April 26, 2011
The number of Armenian websites which post job announcements is growing each year. But are they flexible and useful for both employer and employee? PanARMENIAN.Net reporter tried to find the answer to this question.
Society:

Nowruz: Armenian youth more tolerant on Iranians inflow than older people

Both generations speak out against settlement of Iranians in Armenia.

March 21, 2011
On March 21-28 the tourist inflow in Armenia will reach a record high, with over 20.000 Iranian tourists to arrive in Armenia for Nowruz (Muslim New Year) celebrations.
Culture:

Almost all museums in Yerevan lack funds and attention

Local residents almost ceased going to museums, with exception for schoolchildren and students.

March 3, 2011
Almost all museums in Yerevan lack funds and attention
There are over 30 museums in Yerevan, most of them being under guardianship of the Armenian Ministry of Culture and National Academy of Sciences and almost all of them lacking funds and attention. Low salaries force employees quit.
 
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