ADB forecasts no shifts in Caucasus economic growth for 2012-2013April 12, 2012 - 15:26 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Economies of Central Asian and Caucasian countries will retain growth momentum in 2012-2013, with no acceleration forecast in the face of problems in Eurozone and Russia, according to Asian Development Outlook annual report published on Asian Development Bank (ADB) official website. In 2011, total GDP growth in countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus grossed 6,2%, against the 6,6% in 2010. However, increase in hydrocarbon production in Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan, domestic investments in Armenia and Uzbekistan, as well as foreign investments in Georgia will retain 6,1-6,2% growth in 2012-2013 respectively, despite the economic slowdown in Europe and Russia. The inflation rate in main countries of the region will drop amid decrease in prices of foodstuffs and consumer demand. The objective of ADB is development of Asia’s poor countries. It includes 67 countries and territories of the world, 48 out of which are located in Asia and in the Pacific Islands. 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 | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |