NATIONAL STATISTICS SERVICE ISSUES FIGURES FOR FIRST HALF OF

[Azat]

The National Statistics Service has issued preliminary economic figures for the first half of 2001. According to the figures, the GDP growth in Armenia in the first half of 2001 was 6.4%. According to the report provided by the Statistics Service, the rate of growth was somewhat slower compared to the end of 2000, as the GDP growth in January was 13.2%. The report explains this drop by the seasonal factor and arrhythmia, which can be considered characteristic factors of the Armenian economy.

 

Compared to the economy in general, industry growth was twice slower. This is explained by a more than 8% drop in electricity production. The rest of industry, without the energy sector, grew by 9.1 %.

 

Agriculture decreased by 0.9 % in the first six months of the year. As a reminder, the year 2000 was officially announced a drought year. The true assessment of the situation in agriculture will be accurate at the end of the year, when all of this year’s crops are harvested. Capital construction grew by 13.2 percent.

 

The volume of exports grew by 9.3 % compared to the same period last year. The foreign trade index stood at 95.3%. The rate of growth in export volumes was high in the first five months of the year. Exports decreased by 9.3 % in July, which has to do with decreased prices on precious metals and stones in the world market. Statisticians think that the drop in export levels had to do with the decrease in the amount of natural gas coming into the country.

 

According to official statistics, the population’s income increased by 11% in the first six months of the year, while expenses increased by 12.3%. Nevertheless, poverty is not reduced in the country. As it is explained by statisticians, consistent economic growth in the Armenia over the last few years has not yet recovered the jobs lost as a result of a lasting economic crisis. The other reason is that the circle of people benefiting from economic growth is very narrow.