31 Jul 2009 14:28

Armenian industrial production shrinks 11.5% in H1

YEREVAN. July 31 (Interfax) - Industrial production in Armenia contracted 11.5% to 281.5 billion dram ($808.8 million) in current prices in the first half of 2009 compared to the same period of 2008, the National Statistics Service said in a report.

Production in the mining industry declined 9.3% to 28.8 billion dram in the half. The manufacturing industry saw output fall 12.6% to 189.5 billion dram. The utilities industry (electricity, water, gas) declined 8.9% to 63.2 billion dram.

Exports of industrial products to the CIS totaled about 19.1 billion dram in the period.

The official exchange rate on July 31 was 369.98 dram/$1.