ArmInfo.The volume of industrial production in Armenia in January- May 2019 to the same period a year ago grew by 5.6% (against a growth of 3.3% a year earlier), reaching 733.1 billion drams ($ 1.5 billion). According to the RA Statistics Committee, In May 2019, industrial output increased by 5.9% to 159.5 billion drams ($ 331.8 million), with an annual growth (compared to May 2018) of 10.2%.
The acceleration of the annual growth of industrial production is due to the output of the mining industry from a prolonged recession and the preservation of the growth of the processing sector.
In January-May 2019 by the same period of 2018, growth in mining and open-pit mining registered a growth of 2.5% to 129.2 billion drams ($ 266.3 million), against a decline of 10.4% a year earlier. In May of this year, the industry showed an increase of 15.7% with a volume of 29.8 billion drams.
The volume of the manufacturing industry increased in January-May 2019 by 8.2% per annum (against 9.3% growth a year earlier), amounting to 490.7 billion drams ($ 1 million). In May, the manufacturing industry grew by 7.2% (against a 22.2% growth a year earlier), amounting to 110.5 billion drams. Moreover, the decreasing dynamics in the manufacturing industry in January-May 2019 was recorded only in the production of base metals (by 0.9%), pharmaceuticals (by 3%) and jewelry (by 28.8%). While the highest growth rates were noted for the production of computers, electronic and optical equipment (by 79.1%), textiles (by 50%), electrical equipment (by 44.8%), machinery and equipment (by 38.7%), printing and reproduction of recorded media (36.1%).
In the manufacturing industry, foodstuffs are leading in terms of production (162.3 billion drams), basic metals (73.9 billion drams), cigarettes (72.8 billion drams), and drinks (60.7 billion drams). The supply of electricity, gas, steam and conditioned air in January-May 2019 to the same period of 2018 showed a decline of 0.6% with a volume of 102.7 billion drams, and only in May there was a decrease of 13.5% to 16.8 billion drams Including generation, transmission and distribution of electricity in January- May decreased by 4.7% per annum (with a monthly decline of 12.9%), while gas production, the distribution of gaseous fuel through gas supply systems increased by 18.6% (in case of a decline in May by 17.7%).
Revenues from water supply, cleaning and processing of wastes and receiving secondary raw materials increased in January-May by 1.9% per annum - up to 10.4 billion drams, with growth in May by 5.2% - up to 2.2 billion drams. Moreover, the growth in this segment was mainly determined by the collection, treatment and distribution of water (5.6%).
Recall that the volume of industrial production in Armenia in 2018 compared with 2017 increased by 4.3% (against growth of 12.6% a year earlier), reaching 1.737 trillion. drams ($ 3.6 billion). The slowdown in the upward trend was triggered by a decline in the mining sector by 14% (against 13.9% growth a year earlier) and a slowdown in the growth rate of the manufacturing industry - from 15.7% a year earlier to 10% in 2018.
The average settlement rate of dram to the US dollar amounted to 485.30 dr./$ 1 in January-May 2019, and only in May - 480.55 dr./$ 1, against 481.92 dr./$ 1 - in January-May 2018, 484.09 other. / $ 1 - only in May