ArmInfo.The overall growth rates of Armenia's international trade turnover for 2023 are marked by unprecedented achievements, however, the structure of exports and imports, unfortunately, indicates the presence of significant imbalances and shifts containing significant long-term macroeconomic risks, Doctor  of Economy Aghasi Tavadyan told ArmInfo. 

ArmInfo.The State Revenue Committee (SRC) of Armenia is discussing with the Ministry of Finance  the issue of applying benefits for certain categories of citizens traveling to work in the Russian Federation. Head of the State Revenue Committee of Armenia Rustam Badasyan stated  on February 21  in a conversation with journalists.

ArmInfo. Armenia's GDP growth slowed down to 8.7% in 2023 (from 12.6% in 2022), amounting to 9.503  trillion drams ($24.2 billion). The GDP deflator index also decreased - to 102.8% from 108% in 2022, according to the data of the RA Statistical Committee published on February 20.

ArmInfo.The profit of the Armenian banking system in 2023 was 230 billion drams, which is 12.5% lower than the year-ago figure. Chairman of the Union of Banks of Armenia Daniel Azatyan stated during a press conference on February 20. He noted that the decline is due to both objective and subjective factors.

ArmInfo.In Armenia, there was an increase in all lending sectors, except for industry, where  the volumes decreased by 1.2%, making 508.9 billion drams. Chairman of the Union of Banks of Armenia Daniel Azatyan stated during a press conference on February 20.

ArmInfo.

ArmInfo. The HSBC group has been moving its capital and focusing on its preferred markets, as has been the policy in recent years. Only since 2021, as noted by the Chairman of the Union of Banks of Armenia (UBA) Daniel Azatyan during a press conference, the Group has withdrawn from 7 countries, including retail lending in France, the USA, Greece, etc.

ArmInfo. The entry of a bank with an international brand into the financial market of Armenia is always desirable and important, Chairman of the Union of Banks of Armenia Daniel Azatyan stated during the final press conference on February 20, speaking about the deal to acquire Bank of Georgia Group PLC (BOGG) of one of the leading Armenian banks Ameriabank CJSC.

ArmInfo. The net inflow of private transfers to Armenia decreased by 36% in 2023, in absolute  terms it decreased from $2.6 billion to $1.7 billion. As evidenced by the dynamics of 2022, this figure showed an unprecedented threefold increase.

ArmInfo. Ameriabank (the Bank) has reached an agreement with the BOGG (the Group), a UK registered financial group, to join the latter as a standalone entity and the Group to become the main shareholder of the Bank, with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (“EBRD”) retaining their 10% shareholding in Ameriabank.

ArmInfo.  Bank of Georgia Group PLC ("BOGG" or the "Group") announces the proposed acquisition  of 100 per cent. of a leading bank in Armenia, Ameriabank CJSC ("Ameriabank"), for approximately $303.6 million. This acquisition will significantly enhance the Group's presence and growth opportunities within a fast-growing and attractive market, according to BOGG's official statement.

ArmInfo. Those economic and financial processes that began to develop in 2018 were associated  with international developments, and primarily with the Russian- Ukrainian conflict. Former member of the National Assembly of Armenia, who for many years headed the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economic Affairs  Gagik Minasyan stated on February 16 during a conversation with journalists.

ArmInfo.The most bookish holiday of the year is almost here: on these days the book is definitely the most bought and gifted item in the town, although you can’t call it an “item”. The special offers of bookstores exceed the New Year promotions, and the book queues remind of the good old days when people stood in line to buy books.

ArmInfo. If a citizen works abroad, but is at the same time a resident of Armenia, then he is  obliged to independently calculate and pay income tax on the income he receives from this work, as well as submit an online income declaration to the tax authority of the Republic of Armenia no later  than May 1 of the following year, the State Revenue Committee of Armenia reports.

ArmInfo. The decision of the State Revenue Committee of Armenia on taxation of labor migrants  and penalties in case of non-payment is extremely unfair. Tatevik Bezhanyan, Advocacy Officer at Armenian Caritas Migration and Development Project , stated during a press conference on February 16.  

ArmInfo. Global economic growth will slow, according to the Macroeconomic Outlook 2024-2026 by  the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB). 

ArmInfo.The baseline scenario projects Armenian GDP growth at 5.7% in 2024 and 5.3% in 2025. Inflation could accelerate to  3.6% in  2024 amid continued elevated domestic demand, a moderate weakening of the national currency, and the ongoing cycle of refinancing rate reductions, according to the Macroerconomic Outlook by the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB). 

ArmInfo. The net profit of the insurance sector of Armenia dropped by 33% in 2023, after a 4.5-fold  increase in 2022. "This resulted from higher reimbursement growth of 30% with a modest 17% increase in premiums.

ArmInfo. The likelihood of attracting a new international brand to the Armenian financial market  is quite low. Economist Haykaz Fanyan expressed a similar opinion on his Facebook page, commenting on the HSBC's withdrawal from Armenian market.

ArmInfo.