INFLATION IN ARMENIA LIKELY TO BE BETWEEN 6% AND 7% BY END OF THIS YEAR
YEREVAN, June 6. /ARKA/. Vardan Bostanjyan, an economist, told ARKA
Agency on Thursday that inflation in Armenia is likely to be between
6% and 7% by the end of this year, exceeding the 4% (±1.5%) projected
in the 2013 government budget.
Bostanjyan said that it wasn't taken into account in 2012, when the
budget for the next year was outlined, that prices may go up in 2013,
if prices for natural gas and electric power rise.
"If prices go up, then, I think, it will be impossible to keep
inflation within the projected frames," he said.
He also thinks that the results of the government's economic policy
aimed at ensuring the projected macroeconomic indicators may be seen
in late October.
On May 14, ArmRosGazprom asked the regulator to revise upward the
current tariff for Russian natural gas. It wants to raise the price
for consumers using up to 10 thousand cubic meters a month from
current 132,000 drams per one thousand cubic meters (including VAT)
to 221,000 drams.
Earlier this week the PSRC unveiled on its official website new prices
of gas. Thus, consumers using up to 10,000 cubic meters of natural gas
per month will be paying 156 thousand drams, including VAT, for one
thousand cubic meters, up form current 132,000 drams. Corporate and
other enterprises consuming 10,000 and more cubic meters will be paying
about $276.98. The new prices will come into force from June 7 to 10.
Prices for electricity are expected to rise as well.
The Public Service Regulatory Commission says the day-time price for
one kilowatt/hour (from 7:00 to 23:00) may rise up to 38 drams from
the present 30, and the night-time price may rise from the present
25 to 28. Inflation in Armenia was recorded at 2.6% in 2012. ($1 -
AMD 416.02).---0-----
From: Baghdasarian
YEREVAN, June 6. /ARKA/. Vardan Bostanjyan, an economist, told ARKA
Agency on Thursday that inflation in Armenia is likely to be between
6% and 7% by the end of this year, exceeding the 4% (±1.5%) projected
in the 2013 government budget.
Bostanjyan said that it wasn't taken into account in 2012, when the
budget for the next year was outlined, that prices may go up in 2013,
if prices for natural gas and electric power rise.
"If prices go up, then, I think, it will be impossible to keep
inflation within the projected frames," he said.
He also thinks that the results of the government's economic policy
aimed at ensuring the projected macroeconomic indicators may be seen
in late October.
On May 14, ArmRosGazprom asked the regulator to revise upward the
current tariff for Russian natural gas. It wants to raise the price
for consumers using up to 10 thousand cubic meters a month from
current 132,000 drams per one thousand cubic meters (including VAT)
to 221,000 drams.
Earlier this week the PSRC unveiled on its official website new prices
of gas. Thus, consumers using up to 10,000 cubic meters of natural gas
per month will be paying 156 thousand drams, including VAT, for one
thousand cubic meters, up form current 132,000 drams. Corporate and
other enterprises consuming 10,000 and more cubic meters will be paying
about $276.98. The new prices will come into force from June 7 to 10.
Prices for electricity are expected to rise as well.
The Public Service Regulatory Commission says the day-time price for
one kilowatt/hour (from 7:00 to 23:00) may rise up to 38 drams from
the present 30, and the night-time price may rise from the present
25 to 28. Inflation in Armenia was recorded at 2.6% in 2012. ($1 -
AMD 416.02).---0-----
From: Baghdasarian