Welcome to IraqArmenian cigarettes gaining popularity Torn by wars and terrorism, Iraq was not an attractive market for Armenian businesses just several years ago. Nevertheless, the successful activity of Armenian cigarette exporters made the country their Number 2 destination, following Russia. May 27, 2016 PanARMENIAN.Net - In 2010, products worth of $479,000 were exported to Iraq, of which the export of potatoes and tobacco products totaled $321,000 and $151,000 respectively. The next year the sum increased tenfold, exceeding $4,8 million, thanks to the developing tobacco export. The number of cigarettes grew from 7,3 million to 459,3 million, amounting to $4,125 million. In 2012, the exports tripled, reaching $15,7 million, while in 2013 the exports totaled $48,5 million, of which $46 million was the export of tobacco products. The export of spirits and potatoes totaled $1,033 and $0,9 million respectively. In 2014, the exports surpassed $80 million ($79 million for tobacco products and $1,2 million for spirits). In 2015, the amount reached $130,6 million, with 11,8 billion cigarettes exported for the sum of $126,2 million, 838,000 liters of spirits for $2,8 million, 2900 cattle for $1 million. For comparison, Armenia’s exports to neighboring Iran totaled $82 million in 2015, of which $74 million for energy and $2.8 million for mutton. In the first quarter of 2016, goods to the amount of $39,5 million was exported to Iraq against $28,3 million in the same period in 2015, increasing by 40%. According to experts, the sum can excede $180 million by the end of the year. The exports to Iran in the reporting period totaled $17 million, to Russia - $67 million, to Germany $32 million. In all, Armenia exported about 16 billion cigarettes to the amount of $171 million in 2015 against $116 million in 2014. Tobacco products to the amount of $25 million were exported to Syria. Exports to Turkmenistan, Russia, Georgia totaled $6 million, $4 million and $3,6 million respectively. Exports to Jordan and other markets amounted to about $2 million. Armenia’s cigarette production in 2015 reached AMD 95 billion ($198 million), growing by 49,1% against the previous year. About 33% of men and 3% of women are smokers in Iraq, a country with population of 33 million. Photo: Getty Images Most popular in the section Armenia’s “useless” manpower Small and medium sized businesses weigh in on consequences of war Hybrid banknotes New markets opening for home-grown products More articles in this section 4 rules for business success An ultimate guide Reduction of personnel and tax collection growth State Revenue Committee changes its policy Countries and goods that boosted Armenian export in 2016 Record figures | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. |