Armenia economic activity shrank 17% during AprilMay 25, 2020 - 19:00 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Economic activity in Armenia shrank by 17.2% in April 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, most restrictions have been removed. In the reporting period, construction and trade declined by 51% and 33%, respectively, while the industrial sector contracted by 8.6%. Foreign trade turnover decreased by 15.3% year-on-year, exports and imports were down by 30% and 27.4%, respectively. So far, 7113 cases have been reported in the country, 3145 people have recovered, 87 have died from the disease, while 39 others carrying the virus have died of other causes. 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 | European Parliament to discuss repression in Azerbaijan The European Parliament will discuss repression of civil society in Azerbaijan on April 24 PACE wants concessions from Azerbaijan to accept Baku back A PACE co-rapporteur said that Azerbaijani authorities must make certain concessions so that the country can return to PACE. Cyprus parliament honors Armenian genocide victims Acting House President Zacharias Koulias noted that April 24 marks the “black anniversary” of the Armenian genocide. Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed. |