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Armenian Diamond Cutting Companies Report Decline

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  • Armenian Diamond Cutting Companies Report Decline

    ARMENIAN DIAMOND-CUTTING COMPANIES REPORT DECLINE

    Armenpress
    Nov 28 2006

    YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS: A senior official of the Armenian
    trade and development ministry who is in charge of diamond cutting
    and jewelry businesses, said last week the sector suffered a tangible
    setback in January -September of 2006 with a 20 percent output decline
    and nearly 18 percent decline in sale volumes.

    Gagik Mkrtchian, head of the department, said almost eight percent
    of workers (300 people) were laid off. He said 42 percent of rough
    diamonds were brought from Belgium, 54. 6 percent from Israel and the
    rest from other countries. Mr. Mkrtchian attributed the decline to
    decreased demand fro diamond and gold items at the world markets saying
    consumers are buying more essential goods. Another reason, he said,
    that should be blamed for the decline is the continued appreciation of
    the Armenian dram against major hard currencies, which makes exports
    an unprofitable business, as it increases the primary cost of goods.

    He said lack of competent managers in Armenian diamond-cutting and gold
    factories was yet another reason accounting for the decline. Mkrtchian
    said Armenian prime minister Margarian is leaving soon for Moscow
    where he will negotiate with Russians ways to establish cooperation
    between diamond cutting companies of the two countries.

    As good news Mr. Mkrtchian reported a five percent growth in the
    mining industry, which he said was due to fresh investments in
    the sector. He said a 20 percent increase is expected in 2008 when
    Armenian is supposed to produce 4 percent of all molybdenum in the
    world. Armenia now produces about 4,000 tons of molybdenum annually,
    which make 2 percent of the world production.

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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