YEREVAN, DECEMBER 26, NOYAN TAPAN. According to forecasts of the RA Minister of Trade and Economic Development Karen Chshmaritian, by the results of 2006, Armenia's industrial production (without diamonds) will grow by 5% compared with 2005. The results of financial and economic activities of over 200 companies, which underwent the ministry's monitoring in 11 months of 2006, show that the volume of industrial prodiction (without diamond cutting) made 243.6 bln drams (about 580 mln USD), exceeding by 4.4% the index of the same period of last year. Industrial production of 261.1 bln drams was sold against production of 247.9 bln drams last year (the growth rate made 5.3%). Production of 163.4 bln drams was exported against production of 151.1 bln drams in 2005 (the growth rate of 108.1%). In K. Chshmaritian's opinion, investments and the re-equipment process in industry in 2006 have created good preconditions so that industry, along with construction and the service sector - the currently leading sectors) will re-assume its leading role in the country's economy in the coming years.

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