YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 15, NOYAN TAPAN. According to the agreement on cooperation between the Armenian government and Alrosa company (Russia), the Russian side will provide a large number of raw precious stones to be cut at Armenian enterprises. The chairman of the International Association of Armenian Jewelers Gagik Abrahamian said at the September 15 press conference that 80% of the country's diamond cutting enterprises (30-40 ones) are not operating now. The agreement allows to launch them by late 2007. According to G. Abrahamian, part of cut precious stones will be used to make jewelry, while the remaining ones will be sent back to Russia. Besides, Alrosa envisages establishing a joint diamond cutting venture in Armenia. He said that an international jewelry exhibition with the participation of famous companies will be held in Yerevan on October 20.

---