Trafficking In Armenia: The Study Completed

[Armen]

http://www.aramanoogian.blogspot.com/

 

http://www.hetq.am/eng/

 

http://groong.usc.edu/news/msg105257.html

 

Desert Nights: An Interview with Ara Manoogian

 

Armenian News Network / Groong

March 15, 2005

 

by Onnik Krikorian

 

Ara Manoogian is an American-Armenian living and working in the

self-declared Republic of Nagorno Karabagh. He is the grandson of

Shahen Natali, a famous Armenian writer and activist, and works

for the foundation established in his grandfather's name.

 

Through this foundation he has conducted a number of high-profile

investigations into corruption and human rights related issues in

both Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh.

 

His most recent was conducted in collaboration with Edik

Baghdasarian, Editor-in-Chief of Hetq Online, who investigated the

trafficking of women and children from Armenia to the United Arab

Emirates.

 

 

ONNIK KRIKORIAN: You've recently returned from your third and final

trip to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where you were

involved in an investigation into the problem of trafficking from

Armenia. When did this investigation start?

 

ARA MANOOGIAN: Edik Baghdasarian and I started this investigation at

the beginning of 2004 although we had discussed this problem on many

occasions prior to that. From reading many reports from international

organizations in Armenia, we knew that there was a problem and so, at

the beginning of 2004, we decided to examine the situation on the

ground to determine whether those reports were accurate.

 

On our first trip to Dubai in February or March 2004, we very quickly

discovered where the Armenian girls were although we spoke with only

one girl at first. When we noticed the sad look on her face, we

considered that she was a possible victim. She reminded me very much

of girls from Nagorno Karabagh and as it turned out, she was a refugee

from Azerbaijan.

 

She was twenty or twenty-one years old and was divorced from her

childhood sweetheart who left for Russia because of the harsh economic

condition in the country leaving her alone to bring up her daughter.

Because she had been unable to find employment that would pay her a

decent living wage, and as she was a very beautiful girl, she said

there were only a few options available to her.

 

She could either work in a store in Armenia for 30,000 drams (about

$60) a month and be expected to sleep with her boss or she could go

"elsewhere" to work. In a sense then, she was in Dubai voluntarily and

we discovered that she partially knew what she was getting herself

into. However, she did admit that she wasn't expecting Dubai and

other Arab countries to be so rough and dangerous, especially for

girls.

 

OK: Do you consider that she was a victim in the sense that as a

single mother unable to support her family in Armenia she had no

choice but to find this type of work abroad?

 

AM: Yes, that's what she felt. Incidentally, on our third trip we

tried to find her again but her phone had been disconnected.

 

OK: Were most of the girls at least partially deceived into

working abroad as prostitutes?

 

AM: I would say that a large number of girls from Armenia are

tricked into coming by being offered an opportunity to find employment

outside Armenia. Speaking to these girls, most seemed very naive and

uneducated. Many came from broken homes.

 

However, we also visited a hotel in Dubai called the St. George that

accommodated a couple of hundred Armenian girls, most of whom appeared

to have come to Dubai voluntarily. Even there, however, we found a few

girls that had been tricked into coming by friends already working in

Dubai.

 

Because we knew that we had to get inside this ring to collect

information, we also managed to discover which girls were truly the

victims of trafficking and which were not. As a result, those that had

been tricked wanted to expose those responsible for their situation.

 

OK: That sounds a little risky. I would imagine that those

responsible for trafficking are not people you want to mess with. All

you needed was one girl to tell her trafficker what you were doing...

 

AM: We think that there was one girl like that and on my last week

I was followed everywhere so yes, that risk did exist. However, the

girls we trusted were quite reliable for the most part and nothing

serious happened.

 

OK: How old were the girls?

 

AM: We heard that there were fourteen year olds in Dubai but the

youngest I personally saw was sixteen. The oldest was about

twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old.

 

OK: How did these girls manage to enter a country such as the

United Arab Emirates which has very strict rules of entry, especially

for young women and girls traveling alone?

 

AM: From what we were told and from what we saw in the form of

documents, the girls were first taken to Russia where false passports

are prepared. Usually, the first names of the girls are kept the same,

and sometimes even their surnames, but their date of birth is changed

to make them over thirty. However, because they still appear to be,

and actually are, younger it appears that the authorities in the UAE

are therefore involved. These girls are not even questioned about

their passports when they enter the country.

 

OK: What you're saying is that nobody bothers to question these

young girls traveling on passports indicating that they are, in some

cases, twice as old as they actually are when entering the UAE?

 

AM: Actually, the passports they're traveling on are the old red

[soviet] passports which, I think, are not recognized anywhere else in

the world apart from in the UAE.

 

OK: Presumably, the same is true when the girls leave Russia?

 

AM: From what these girls told us, they actually have two passports.

They leave Russia on their Armenian passport but then, when they board

their flight, they hide it in one of their shoes and enter the UAE on

their Russian passport.

 

OK: When they arrive in Dubai, do they still retain their passports?

 

AM: No. The trafficker takes all of their documents when they

arrive and gives them a Xerox of their fake passport and visa which is

sufficient for them to travel around and stay in hotels.

 

OK: What happens then? After working for the traffickers, can they

eventually buy back their passports?

 

AM: Yes, they can buy back their freedom. The way this works is

that the trafficker decides their "debt" which varies between

$6-12,000. I'm not sure how the debt is determined but anyway, the

girls work and give all their income to the trafficker who sends a

minimum of $100 a month to their families in Armenia who presumably

think that they are working in Russia, Greece, Spain or some other

country. After the "debt" is "settled," their documents are then

returned and the girls are given the option to continue to work in the

UAE under the protection of the trafficker who takes a percentage of

the money they earn.

 

OK: How many Armenian girls are working as prostitutes in the UAE?

 

AM: We can't put a concrete figure on this but initial figures

from various organizations estimate that there are approximately five

hundred. However, I personally saw over two hundred girls in only four

or five locations but others are known to be working in other places.

Edik went to other locations that I didn't, for example, and reported

that there were also a large number of girls from Armenia there.

Therefore, based on what we saw and from speaking to the girls

themselves, I'd say that there are as many as two thousand Armenian

girls working in the UAE. I would say that this is a realistic and

believable figure.

 

OK: Is there enough evidence to take legal action against anyone

involved in the trafficking of women and children from Armenia to the

UAE?

 

AM: Yes, and we will be pursuing the matter once our film is ready.

We would expect some arrests to be made later and maybe even prior to

the completion of the film. Many of the articles we have already

published are accompanied by pictures of people involved in trafficking

and one woman wanted by Interpol is currently in jail in Armenia.

However, she is only serving a light sentence.

 

OK: I remember this case from one of your articles. You suggest

that this particular woman returned to Armenia knowing full well she

would be imprisoned for a short period of time in order to clear her

name off Interpol's list.

 

AM: Yes, and if the law worked, she would be facing additional

charges.

 

OK: Is this the problem, then? Is the law not functioning

correctly or are sentences for trafficking simply too light?

 

AM: The law contains provisions to hand down heavy sentences to

traffickers but the legal system is not functioning correctly. I was

present at the trial of five traffickers in Armenia last August and as

far as I am concerned, Judge Ohanian and the prosecutor failed to do

their jobs properly. These individuals should have received sentences

of at least ten years but when Gulnara Shahinian, an expert on

trafficking, presented the judge with details of Armenia's

international obligations to prosecute those guilty of trafficking, he

instead insisted on prosecuting them with old Soviet laws that carried

lighter sentences of only two years.

 

OK: Why do you think that was?

 

AM: The evidence we collected on three trips suggests that there

are officials in Armenia and the UAE that are directly involved in

trafficking. There is not a single doubt in my mind that they are

directly involved.

 

OK: If that's the case, and after talking about possible risks in

Dubai, isn't it potentially dangerous to expose those responsible for

trafficking in Armenia?

 

AM: We're in the homeland.

 

OK: That gives you protection?

 

AM: Yes. In fact, it gives me a great deal of protection because

my family has conducted this kind of work for many, many years and my

grandfather as well as the foundation established in his name is very

well respected by the Minister of Defense and the military. As a

result, I'm not concerned at all and anyway, I'm a true believer in

fate. When someone's time comes, that's their time. I'm not a person

who lives in fear and it is for that reason that I do what I do. It

has to be done.

 

OK: Now that Hetq Online has examined the problem of trafficking

from Armenia to the UAE, what do you think the Armenian Government's

response should be?

 

AM: The Armenian Government's response should be to denounce this

as not being culturally cohesive and as being wrong. However, the

Government has known about this problem for a number of years and I'm

still unable to comprehend why it has not yet issued any additional

statement on the matter.

 

Regardless, the Armenian Government, as well as the Church and the

Diaspora, needs to take a strong position on this problem. What we

have discovered, and what we have published up until now, is

irrefutable. The evidence is there and it's unreasonable for people to

go into denial.

 

OK: However, do you think that it's considered culturally taboo to

talk about such issues?

 

AM: Absolutely, and what I've noticed from my own internet blog

where quite a few of the articles have been republished is that few

readers want to publicly comment on the findings of our investigation.

Of course, I've received some private emails which have been very

positive and there have also been some financial commitments from

readers for future investigative work but only on the provision that

these donations are made anonymously. Otherwise, it would appear that

many Armenians in the Diaspora, and even here in Armenia, are in

shock.

 

OK: It's also interesting to point out that one of those

responsible for funding this investigation is a prominent Diasporan

who also prefers to remain anonymous. It's good that they supported

this project, of course, but very interesting to note that they don't

want their name to be known. Ironically, however, you would have

thought that it is precisely these people that should be acknowledged

and appreciated.

 

AM: There were also some donations from a number of other

individuals that wanted to remain anonymous. However, a number of

others who said that they understood the importance of this work

declined. Presumably this was because they were afraid of the possible

fallout.

 

OK: There's also a sizeable Armenian Community in the UAE. Were

they willing and able to assist in your investigation, albeit anonymously?

 

AM: No. You have to understand that unless you are born in the UAE,

almost everyone is on a residency visa and because the Government is

directly involved with trafficking, the Armenians living and working

there chose not to be involved in any shape, form or fashion even

though I'm sure that many would have liked to have been. Because we

understood that situation we pretty much left the Armenian community

alone.

 

OK: What about the Diaspora in the United States and Europe. They

don't face any risk so what do you think they should do?

 

AM: I've received emails from Armenians in the Diaspora who say

that they found this investigation very "interesting." Unfortunately,

the problem of trafficking is not "interesting." It's very sad and

shouldn't be looked upon as just another human interest story. It is

instead an issue that affects all of us regardless of whether these

girls went to the UAE voluntarily or not. The reason why this

phenomenon exists today is economic and therefore, it is resolvable.

However, it will take commitment but until then, Armenia is in a

situation that I would describe as being out of control.

 

OK: Do you think that the Diaspora should speak out about such issues?

 

AM: Absolutely. The Diaspora, or at least those who have a sense of

belonging, has a responsibility to do so. Unfortunately, the Armenian

Government does not understand the concept of civil service or the

fact that they are civil servants. This has to change and Armenians in

the Diaspora can assert a certain amount of pressure on the Government

to do so. However, so far they're not.

 

Instead, there's a certain mentality that's probably very damaging for

this nation. It's the idea of something being "amot (shameful)." I've

heard this over and over again and the notion that it's shameful to

talk about problems such as trafficking. It's much easier to ignore

the problem but, in my opinion, there's nothing shameful in talking

about such problems if the situation can be changed as a result. The

Armenian Diaspora can play a role in that and perhaps I'm evidence of

that.

 

OK: However, you're just one person out of six million.

 

AM: Yes, I'm one of six million but my voice has been heard time

and time again and I've achieved results. If properly coordinated, I

believe that other individuals and organizations can also have a

positive impact in determining the future of our nation. In my

opinion, it's time for the Diaspora to wake up. When people remain

silent, they can only contribute to perpetuating such problems.

 

OK: Of course, some people, especially in the Diaspora, might

instead criticize you for concentrating only on the negative aspects

of life in Armenia. How would you respond to those that accuse you of

dirtying the country's image abroad?

 

AM: I would say that unless we address the problems that threaten

the future of this nation, there can be no moving forward. However, I'd

also add that I think of myself as an optimist and believe that

Armenia has a promising future if these problems are resolved.

 

 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Edik Baghdasarian and Ara Manoogian's investigation into the

trafficking of women and children from Armenia can be read online at

http://www.hetq.am.

 

Ara Manoogian's blog from Armenia and Nagorno

Karabagh, Martuni or Bust, can be read online at

http://www.aramanoogian.blogspot.com.

--

Onnik Krikorian is a freelance journalist and photojournalist from the

United Kingdom now living and working in the Republic of Armenia.

[kakachik77]

what are you talking about, Armen???? All Armenian girls are virgins and living comfortable nice lives...Amot kez, tgha jan to bring up this mess and mar the reputation of honorable Armenians.

[Armen]

Kakachik jan, I would not call myself a liberal and I am far from being one but what absolutely pisses me off is the fact that those who own the Armenian economy and the government at present sometimes talk about "preserving Armenian family values". They do it not only among their friends during a qef but also to the EU representatives who visit Armenia. And these people from Europe who know the statistics of everything giggle at them. It is very simple for them, if a country of 3 mln has 2000 girls "working" in the Emirates and ministers with personal Hammers, at least they should not talk about family values.

 

Ara Manoogian's and Edik Baghdasarian's months long study is over now. The guys have done an absolutely amazing, unprecedented job for Armenia. And people should stick this to the government's eye on every opportunity.

Edited March 16, 2005 by Armen

[kakachik77]

Armen jan, if you've read their report carefully, it actually says that one of these Armenian government officials actually visited the Cyclone club in Dubai and who knows perhaps even used the services offered...

[Armen]

Armen jan, if you've read their report carefully, it actually says that one of these Armenian government officials actually visited the Cyclone club in Dubai and who knows perhaps even used the services offered...

style_images/master/snapback.png

 

If they do it in Armenia they will do in anywhere...

 

The problem here is not that people don't know that there are morally degradated people in the goverment. They will always be there. The issue here, in my opinio, is to make this information circulate in public in Armenia all the time and everywhere. So that every high level official feals responsible to comment on it at every interview or public meeting. And make them ashamed by acusing them directly for this situation.

 

The problem of prostitution and trafficking is solved only one way, sustainable economic development and rational distribution of incomes among the population. You can never get rid of adult prositution in a democracy and free market. But you can get rid of trafficking because it is an indirect "economic indicator" and you should get rid of child prostitution because it is sick.

[Nakharar]

I especially find those who frequent these places, but then are hypocritical enough to condescend these poor girls much more debased. Putting on a mask and playing the devoted husband/father role serves one well in any society I suppose.

[Armen]

Armenian leader, prosecutor discuss fight against human trafficking

 

Regnum, Moscow

15 Mar 05

 

Armenian President Robert Kocharyan has held a working meeting with

Armenian Prosecutor-General Agvan Ovsepyan.

 

The meeting discussed issues concerning measures to fight human

trafficking, the Armenian presidential press service told Regnum news

agency. The Armenian prosecutor-general reported that as a result of a

joint operation carried out by the police and the prosecutor's office,

members of groups involved in recruiting and sending prostitutes

abroad were exposed and brought to book.

 

The Armenian prosecutor-general also reported that a fall in the

number of premeditated murders was registered this year. He said that

23 such murders were registered in the same period of the last year,

while this year their number is only nine. Ovsepyan also told the

Armenian president about discovered false excise stamps, which

testifies that they are printed abroad and then imported into Armenia.

[Anonymouse]

I have a solution: Kill all politicians.

[kakachik77]

few new articles today on www.hetq.am with few more revealing facts.

[Armen]

http://www.hetq.am/eng/society/0503-dub-7.html

 

So, in 2004 $9mln US entered Armenia from Emirates. As the article rightly notes Emirates do not import anything from Armenia and a large part of this money is ...

 

2001 - $ 654,200

2002 - $ 3,933,300

2003 - $ 5,769,500

2004 - $ 8,792,800

 

We know that many Armenian businesses import different products from the UAE. But this involves sending money to the UAE from Armenia. According to Armenia's Ministry of Trade and Economic Development, in the last 14 years (1991-2004), Armenian businesses invested $4,356,000 into the UAE. This is a small sum compared to the amount of money that is sent the other way. In the last four years alone, $19,149,000 was transferred to Armenia from the UAE.

 

 

For a comparison. There are 3 Mersedes Maibach models in Armenia at present owned by well known oligarchs. If I am not wrong, each one costs $US300.000 or more.

 

These models were ordered from Armenia among the first ones in Europe! And the owners have some 2 million worth of luxury car fleet in their garages.

[Armen]

Light and shadow in Armenian business

[september 1, 2004]

 

http://www.hetq.am/eng/economy/0409-business.html

 

Business and Government: What is the state of economic rights in Armenia?

[August 18-25, 2004]

 

http://www.hetq.am/eng/economy/0408-bg.html

 

-----------------------------------------------------

 

These two articles above focus on the main problems that bring to trafficing in Armenia.

[Armen]

LAW ENFORCEMENT BODIES OF ARMENIA MANAGED TO STOP TRANSPORTATION OF

100 ARMENIAN WOMEN ABROAD FOR SEXUAL EXPLOITATION IN 2004

 

YEREVAN, MARCH 17. ARMINFO. To effectively combat prostitution,

procurement and trafficking in persons, the corresponding legislation

must be toughened, Head of Armenian Police, Lt.General Hayk

Haroutiunyan says at parliamentary hearings "Activity of the

law-enforcement structures to prevent organized crime" today.

 

He says that in 2004 29 cases of procurement and 2 cases of

trafficking to the United Arab Emirates for sexual exploitation were

exposed. One case of trafficking was exposed due to operative measures

taken by the law- enforcement bodies of Armenia and Russia, he

says. As a result. A criminal grouping was detained in Russia, which

consisted of Armenia who tried to transport six Armenian women from

Russia to UAE. On the whole, in 2004 the law- enforcement bodies

managed to stop transportation of 100 Armenian women abroad for sexual

exploitation, with 730 prostitutes being brought administratively

responsible. -m-

[Armen]

They jailed the prostitutes. I don't know to laugh or to cry.

[whitelotus]

I remember reading an article in AIM a couple years ago stating that 90 % of prisoners in Armenian prisons are woman (prostitution). Does anyone know if this percentage is wrong? It seems a bit bogus to me, but you never know.

[Azat]

http://www.hetq.am/eng/society/0503-dub-7.html

 

So, in 2004 $9mln US entered Armenia from Emirates. As the article rightly notes Emirates do not import anything from Armenia and a large part of this money is ...

 

2001 - $ 654,200

2002 - $ 3,933,300

2003 - $ 5,769,500

2004 - $ 8,792,800

For a comparison. There are 3 Mersedes Maibach models in Armenia at present owned by well known oligarchs. If I am not wrong, each one costs $US300.000 or more.

 

These models were ordered from Armenia among the first ones in Europe! And the owners have some 2 million worth of luxury car fleet in their garages.

style_images/master/snapback.png

 

Armen jan the first on I EVER saw in my live was in Armenia. I was shocked. I crossed the street to walk by it as it was parked in front of the Lego Store and we were walking to the little kids park for my little cousin to play and as we got there by Shant Cafe(I think that is the name) to my biggest surprise there was a different one there. What the hell.

[Armen]

Armen jan the first on I EVER saw in my live was in Armenia.  I was shocked.  I crossed the street to walk by it as it was parked in front of the Lego Store and we were walking to the little kids park for my little cousin to play and as we got there by Shant Cafe(I think that is the name) to my biggest surprise there was a different one there.  What the hell.

style_images/master/snapback.png

 

Well, I guess two of those guys were having their afternoon coffee together.

 

Here are the price quotes: 300.000 and higher.

http://autos.yahoo.com/newcars/maybach.html

[whitelotus]

Does anyone know if the percentage I posted above is bogus or not? http://die-pretty.net/forum/images/smiles/75.gif

[Anonymouse]

Of course Armenian government wouldn't care for the traffickin of Armenian women. They are the problem. All governments by making prostitution illegal force it to the underground, and crime.

[kakachik77]

I remember reading an article in AIM a couple years ago stating that 90 % of prisoners in Armenian prisons are woman (prostitution). Does anyone know if this percentage is wrong? It seems a bit bogus to me, but you never know.

style_images/master/snapback.png

 

NO, 90% of ALL prisoners in Armenian prisoners are NOT women. I think what you read is that 90% of ALL WOMEN prisoners are behind bars for prostitution related crimes, which still sounds a bit fishy.

[ED]

Does anyone know if the percentage I posted above is bogus or not? http://die-pretty.net/forum/images/smiles/75.gif

style_images/master/snapback.png

 

 

There is a comprehensive coverage in relation to topics discussed here in this web site

[MosJan]

http://www.hetq.am/eng/society/0503-dub-7.html

 

So, in 2004 $9mln US entered Armenia from Emirates. As the article rightly notes Emirates do not import anything from Armenia and a large part of this money is ...

 

2001 - $ 654,200

2002 - $ 3,933,300

2003 - $ 5,769,500

2004 - $ 8,792,800

For a comparison. There are 3 Mersedes Maibach models in Armenia at present owned by well known oligarchs. If I am not wrong, each one costs $US300.000 or more.

 

These models were ordered from Armenia among the first ones in Europe! And the owners have some 2 million worth of luxury car fleet in their garages.

style_images/master/snapback.png

 

 

Armen jan are you sure that we ( Armenia ) has nothing that Emirates can import ???

 

so all we Armenians can offer to Emirates is our kids ??? for sex ???

[MosJan]

EXPORT

 

Search #1 Armenian exports to united Arab Emirates

 

http://www.agbu.org/agbunews/display.asp?A_ID=115

 

 

 

http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:xerwMTH...lient=firefox-a

MAP Clients in the United Arab Emirates

 

 

 

USDA MAP presented four of its clients - Noyan and SIS Natural juice producing companies as well as Atenk meat processing and Village Group dairy processing companies - at the "Investment Potential in Armenia" business forum in the United Arab Emirates on April 3-8. The forum was organized jointly by the Armenian Development Agency and the Chambers of Commerce of Abu Dhabi, Dubui, and Sharjah Emirates in the related Emirates. The total number of the participating Armenian companies was 17. According to Armenuhi Sahakyan, MAP Advertisement and Promotions Specialist, a large number of those interested in export and import activities, investment projects and joint ventures were present. In her words, the forum in Emirates was successful in improving the awareness on the Armenian processing enterprises and finding a new and high potential market for Armenian fresh and processed agricultural products. Ms. Sahakyan stated that the UAE imports 70% of the total food consumed in the country. This opens good perspectives for delicious Armenian fruits in this important export market. "The Armenian businessmen were provided with valuable information on advantages of becoming a part of the Free Trade Zone at Zabal Ali, UAE," said Armenuhi. The participants were also provided the opportunity to visit with the leaders of the Armenian Diaspora and the Armenian business community in the Emirates.

 

---

 

http://www.classbrain.com/art_cr/publish/a...a_economy.shtml

 

Exports - commodities:

diamonds, mineral products, foodstuffs, energy

 

Exports - partners:

Belgium 18.5%, UK 17%, Israel 13%, Russia 11.6%, Iran 8%, US 6.3%, Germany 5.1% (2003 est.)

i can' t see UAE in exports

Imports:

$1.18 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

 

Imports - commodities:

natural gas, petroleum, tobacco products, foodstuffs, diamonds

 

Imports - partners:

Russia 14.2%, Belgium 12.1%, US 9.9%, Israel 9.3%, Iran 9.2%, Germany 7%, UAE 5.6%, Italy 4.9% (2003 est.)

 

 

 

---------

 

Sil Group & joint venture with HARWAL Ltd. of the United Arab Emirates

 

This is one of the Largest Exporters from Armenia to UAE

3 of Sil's Co are joint venture with HARWAL Ltd

MASIS GOFROTARA OJSC

The company is Armenia's major producer of corrugated cardboard and corrugated cardboard boxes that meet international standards. The company was established in 1969. During the Soviet period, the company supplied 30-35% of the total market that included Russia, the Transcaucasus, and the Middle Asia. In 1995, the company was privatised, prior to which it was operating only at 8% of its total capacity. In 1997, when it became a joint venture with the United Arab Emirates' HARWAL Ltd. Company, new technology was introduced which allowed for the production of sanitary paper tissues. HARWAL Ltd. provides the company with the necessary raw materials for the production of the sanitary tissues as well as the corrugated cardboard.

 

Yerevan Polyplast OJSC

Yerevan Polyplast manufactures various plastic household items, pipes, sanitation piping units, polyethylene film and bags, linoleum and artificial leather. During the Soviet period, this factory was very well known throughout the former USSR as it supplied automobile manufacturing giants such as AVTOVAZ, MOSKVICH, and GAZ . Its share in the total Soviet Union market was 20%. By the time it was privatised to SIL Group in 1996, it was running only at 5% of its total capacity. The company became a joint venture with HARWAL Ltd. in 1997. Due to a very high quality of production the company was awarded with internationally recognised "Gold Star" award in November 1998.

 

ZOVQ Factory OJSC JV

ZOVK was one of the last production enterprises established in the late 1980s in Soviet Armenia. It produced lemonade. Its share in the Soviet market was only 0.07%. When the company was privatised to SIL Group in 1997, it was idle for 2 years. It became a joint venture with HARWAL Ltd.of the United Arab Emirates in 1997. Today, it has a major market share for refreshments in Armenia producing natural juices of different flavours. \\

 

 

SIL Group is the exclusive distributor of Procter & Gamble and represents Londa, Sara Lee, Philip Morris, and Adidas in Armenia.

 

letters of credit mechanizm - is not used wan HARWAL Ltd is sending money to SIl is it ???

 

 

]]

STAR VALLEY Co. represents SIL Group in the United Arab Emirates (Dubai). The strategic location of the company in Dubai allows SIL Group to expand its resources in the area of international trade and production. STAR VALLEY has strong ties with the agencies that represent world famous companies in the Arab world.

 

The company offers foodstuff, mineral waters, sweets and lighting products as well as transportation of goods to CIS countries via air, road and sea.

]]

 

 

stop by at sil.am

 

---------

 

http://www.armpolicyresearch.org/Publicati...%20Matosyan.pdf

 

9. Recommended Armenian products for the Gulf markets:

a. Dried and dehydrated fruits and vegetables – especially apricots, peaches,

apples, figs and cherries, sun dried tomatoes for the consumer market, and

dehydrated vegetables for the processing and manufacturing market

4

b. For the consumer market, target high labor content place packed as

opposed to throw packed fruits, and attempt to develop a market for the

uniquely Armenian “sujuk,” as well as a new formulation and market for

preserved young walnuts, perhaps as an accompaniment to meat

c. Herbal teas and tisanes for both the Gulf and world markets – there is

opportunity for unique positioning with flavor qualities, hand harvesting,

heirloom varieties, organic, medicinal traditions and folklore etc. This is a

market at its initial stages in the UAE, with “health and nutrition” shops

just starting to make an appearance

d. Extremely high quality baby vegetables and fresh and dried herbs

positioned for the HRI (hotel, restaurant and institutional) trade

e. Gourmet quality flavored oils and vinegars – walnut oil, raspberry and

tarragon vinegars, other specialty food products

f. Selected cut flowers

g. Heirloom varieties of seeds, seedlings, nursery plants

h. Fruit syrups, essences, essential oils and flavorings – highly concentrated

for the flavoring and perfumery markets

Armenia is at best an unknown factor in the Gulf markets, at worst a country with a poor

reputation for consistency, quality, and honesty. The development of a “story” to detract

from the current negative impression, and to reinforce the opinion of the trade that there

is official and serious support for Armenian agribusiness, may help ease the transition of

Armenian agribusiness into the Gulf markets.\

 

-------

 

 

Search #2 united Arab Emirates exports to Armenia

 

http://www.medea.be/?page=2〈=en&doc=814

[Armen]

Armen jan are you sure that  we ( Armenia ) has nothing that Emirates can import ???

 

so  all we Armenians can offer to Emirates is  our kids ??? for  sex ???

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Movses jan, it is very easy to find out. The trade statistics between Armenia and its partners is public. If you don't find anything exported to Emirates and find remmittances coming back to Armenia they have to come for some reason.

 

Ministry of Trade and Econ Development Statstics

http://www.minted.am/en/1996-2003-in_trade.html

 

Armenian export to UAE in 2003 - 6.5 mln US$

Armenian import from UAE in 2003 - 57.7 mln US$

 

Hetq says that according to Armenian Central Bank's public relations department the wire transfers in 2003 were at US$ 5,769,500

 

Now, trade payments are normally done by letters of credit mechanizm (accreditive). As far as I understand wire transfers have nothing to do with this. I can't immagine someone sending the commodities and waiting for the payer to tranfer the money by wire transfer. It can happen between Armenians but it is not a normal pratice.

 

However! If the Hetq journalists did not clarify exactly what are these wire trasfers that can point to a mistake in their research. But I think they made it clear by directly talking to some of the actual senderd of those remittances. Mmm... it would not harm to doublecheck this info though.

Edited March 18, 2005 by Armen

[whitelotus]

Thanks so much Kakachik and Edward

[MosJan]

Movses jan, it is very easy to find out. The trade statistics between Armenia and its partners is public. If you don't find anything exported to Emirates and find remmittances coming back to Armenia they have to come for some reason.

 

Ministry of Trade and Econ Development Statstics

http://www.minted.am/en/1996-2003-in_trade.html

 

Armenian export to UAE in 2003 - 6.5 mln US$

Armenian import from UAE in 2003 - 57.7 mln US$

 

Hetq says that according to Armenian Central Bank's public relations department the wire transfers in 2003 were at US$ 5,769,500

 

Now, trade payments are normally done by letters of credit mechanizm (accreditive). As far as I understand wire transfers have nothing to do with this. I can't immagine someone sending the commodities and waiting for the payer to tranfer the money by wire transfer. It can happen between Armenians but it is not a normal pratice.

 

However! If the Hetq journalists did not clarify exactly what are these wire trasfers that can point to a mistake in their research. But I think they made it clear by directly talking to some of the actual senderd of those remittances. Mmm... it would not harm to doublecheck this info though.

style_images/master/snapback.png

 

 

Armen jan i can see haw SIl by him self can do %50 of that 5m