RUSSIA OFFERS TO SELL ARMENIA AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT WORTH $50 MILLION

Vestnik Kavkaza
Nov 1 2011

Russia is offering to sell Armenia agricultural equipment worth $50
million, Armenian Deputy Agriculture Minister Vardan Karapetyan said
on Tuesday, ARKA reports.

The proposal was made at a meeting with officials from Rosagromash,
which includes over 60 manufacturers of agricultural equipment and
instruments.

Preliminary agreements allow agricultural equipment and instruments
to be leased for 7 years at a rate of 5%.

Concerning prices, Karapetyan noted that the combine-harvesters of
New Holland are worth $150,000, while Russia's Niva ones cost $78,000.

Armenia is negotiating a purchase of Niva combine-harvesters for
$50,000 each. Russian partners are offering Armenia a discount. The
Niva models are three times cheaper and have the same standards as
New Holland ones.

Karapetyan reminded that Armenia also plans to realize a grant program
with Japan and a leasing program with India. Moreover, Japanese grants
for realization of agricultural equipment worth $791,000 will be used
to update the vehicle pool.

Armenia imported about 1,000 units of agricultural vehicles. The
state has 15,000 tractors and 1400-1500 combine-harvesters. Armenia
has about 70% of the agricultural equipment it needs.