Armenia economic activity shrank 4․7% in first half-year of 2020July 28, 2020 - 14:02 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Economic activity in Armenia shrank by 4․7% in the first half of 2020 year-on-year, data from the National Statistical Service reveals. Economic activity in the country has contracted as a result of a lockdown imposed in mid-March in a bid to curb the Covid-19 outbreak. Though the state of emergency has been extended several times, most restrictions have been removed. In June alone, the economic activity contracted by 7․5% against the same period last year. In the six months of 2020, construction and trade declined by 23․4% and 11․1%, respectively, while the industrial sector grew by 1․5%. Foreign trade turnover decreased by 10․7% year-on-year, exports and imports were down by 6․5% and 12․9%, respectively. Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | Director General of Ucom takes part in recruiting conference Ralph Yirikian participated in the Recruit Days business and networking conference organized by Move2Career. Armenia to participate in key EU meeting for the first time ever National Assembly speaker Alen Simonyan has said that Armenia will for the first time participate in the Conference. Lavrov rejects Armenia’s “defamation” of Russia, CSTO Lavrov decried the Armenian leaders’ “defamation” of Russian soldiers and border guards deployed in Armenia. U.S. reacts to Russia’s criticism of upcoming Armenia-EU-U.S. meeting Matthew Miller has weighed in on Russia’s criticism of an upcoming Armenia-EU-U.S. meeting. |