South Korean electronics giant Samsung is opening what it describes as a “consumer technology playground” on February 22, the latest big brand to open an interactive flagship store in Manhattan, “Armenpress” reports citing New York Post website.
Telegram, the encrypted messaging app that launched in 2013, now has 100 million monthly active users, “Armenpress” reports. In a blog post announcing the milestone, the company said 350,000 new users are joining the service every day, and that 15 billion messages are sent on the app daily. Telegram founder Pavel Durov revealed the company’s latest figures at a keynote speech at Mobile World Congress on February 23.
Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan held a government meeting regarding the new Tax Code draft. As “Armenpress” was informed from the Information and public relations department of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, in particular, different issues applicable to various fields related to taxes were discussed. Attention was paid to the possible effects of changes in the Tax Code.
Armenak Darbinyan said that the CBA’s policy seeks to encourage, support and help the banks to attract more resources from international markets. In addition, the Central Bank’s financial education and consumer advocacy department is trying to assist consumers to better orientate among the different credit products, through the abcfinance.am website. “Information about the credit is provided, format of working with the banks is simplified in order for the clients not only to look at the percentage of the loan, but also to choose between different banks, products, be able to plan their budgets, calculate costs and benefits, to avoid facing problems in the future,” the official added.
Minister of Finance of the Republic of Armenia Gagik Khachatryan and World Bank’s Regional Director for the South Caucasus Mercy Tembon signed a loan agreement on February 23. As “Armenpress” was informed from the press service of the Ministry of Finance, the WB will provide Armenia with 55 million USD loan with 25 years maturity date 14.5 of which is a grace period.
At present, if a part of plant’s property is transferred to Nairit-2 for the debt, and is alienated, Nairit Plant will face serious issues. Currently Plant’s main property is venues and facilities, as sale of worn-out equipment isn’t going to provide sufficient amount.
Armenian economic activity index for January 2016 surpassed the index of the same period of the previous year by 5.5%. “Armenpress” reports the National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia has introduced the current-operative preliminary main macro-economic indicators characterizing the socio-economic situation of Armenia. Trade and foreign trade turnover have dropped.
Tatyana Valovaya, Minister for Development and Integration of Microeconomics of Eurasian Economic Commission, announced on February 9, that charging of 20% VAT from physical persons, importing vehicles to Armenia from EEU member countries by Armenia’s authorities, contradicts legal-contractual framework of the Union
Despite exchange rate of Armenian currency (AMD) was comparatively stable throughout 2015, RA citizens were rather cautious during the year, and preference was given to foreign currency in keeping savings. Data by Central Bank of Armenia, particularly, on level of dollarization, are a proof to that.
Thus, although 2015 was a year of miscellaneous political and economic shifts, especially for countries of the region, Armenia’s economy succeeded in providing EAI by 2.9%. 2015 was also noteworthy, as some strategy documents have been adopted to develop innovation economy and SME, as well as to improve business environment in Armenia (particularly, the draft Tax Code, amendments in the Labor Code and etc.).
