SME funding is a priority target for Areximbank-Gazprombank Group CJSC since the small and medium enterprises are the backbone of the economy in any country. The banks usually toughen loaning conditions, including those related to SME during a crisis to reduce the risks. However, the situation has changed now, and the SME loaning sector has started to develop. Head of the bank's SME loan department Martin Torosyan spoke about the bank's plans on SME funding in 2013 in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net.

The whole world is keeping an eye on developments in Greece, EU withdrawal of which has sparked heated debates recently. Many experts believe this can amend the economy of eurozone, yet being an incorrect move in terms of politics. The last EURO 130 billion bailout provided to Greece by leading European structures is able to maintain the Greek economy through 2014. However, the country needs to at least restrain the economic decline in order to tackle the situation. President of the Economic and Social Council (E.S.C.) of Greece Christos Polyzogopoulos presented an overview of situation in Greece in his blitz-interview with PanARMENIAN.Net during his recent visit to Armenia.

As a democratic country, Armenia considers opportunities of expanding its trade and economic ties not only with its major ally Russia, developed Europe, unpredictable China, but with Arab countries as well. Armenian Agency of Development (AAD) has recently boosted cooperation with countries like Kuwait and UAE, deciding to provide partners from these countries with information about Armenia’s investment climate and its trade opportunities. AAD general director Robert Harutyunyan told PanARMENIAN.Net about the process of establishing trade and economic ties and attracting new investors.

Favorable investment climate in a country will definitely attract potential investors. Over the past years, Armenian authorities have made efforts to improve it in terms of business registration, as well as increased transparency of tax and customs administration. Also, actions were undertaken to boost quality of legal procedures aimed to protect business interests. However, much work will needs to be done. See more on this in an interview of senior legal consultant of Ameria Group of Companies Georgy Khachatryan with PanARMENIAN.Net.

The Prime Ministers of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) signed a free trade agreement on October 18, 2011. The document, which is meant to replace a number of bilateral and multilateral agreements, was signed by all the CIS member states except Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, which can, anyway, join it later. Head of the department of trade and market management at the Armenian Ministry of Economy Gagik Kocharyan commented on the deal in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net.

On October 6-8, 2011, Yerevan will host the 1st joint conference of the Association of Eurasian Central Securities Depositories (AECSD) and International Association of Exchanges of CIS Countries (IAEx of CIS) titled “Global Opportunities of Local Markets: Infrastructure and Management.” The organizers of the event, which will bring together representatives of the central depositories and exchanges from CIS countries as well as managers from Thomas Murray, SWIFT, Vnesheconombank, Euroclear, Clearstream, etc., are the Central Depositary of Armenia (CDA) and Nasdaq OMX Armenia. In an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net, CDA director Vahan Stepanyan commented on the issues to be in the focus of the conference and results expected.

Armenia has been famous for its jewelers since the ancient times. However, after expiration of the agreement with Russia on cooperation in diamond industry, most of plants were shut down. Things got even worse during the crisis. However, the Armenian government is determined to take every effort to restore the potential of the field. First Deputy Economy Minister Karine Minasyan commented on the steps taken in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net.

The public interest in international stock market is growing. Being an investment bank, Ameriabank cjsc continues creating new opportunities to allow its clients to strike deals at various stock markets 24/7. In an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net, senior specialist at the bank's trade department Edgar Petrosyan elaborates on the profitable investments Armenian traders can make with the use of modern technical solutions.

Energy security and sufficiency remain among the most important tasks for Armenia, which strengthens relations with its neighbors through diversification of its energy resources. Specifically, Armenia implements a number of ambitious joint projects with Iran. In an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net, Armenia's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Armen Movsisyan commented on the implementation process as well as on talks for oil pipeline construction and forthcoming visit of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

In 2010, Armenian government took some measures to regulate the cigarette market and determine approaches to local manufacturers and importers. Regional manager of Armenian representation of Philip Morris Management Services B. V., the major cigarette importer in Armenia, Mr. Sargis Tsaghikyan commented on the company's future plans in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net.