2022 January 5

Daily news wrap-up

News - Jan/5/2022: (1) State-owned investment fund to manage Zangezur's 15%; Budget boost (2) Trade-in deal to help phase out old vehicles (3) Covid stats, Vax stats, Pfizer soon, QR to eat out, Flu is back (4) Thermal insulation in Gyumri (5) Egyptian & Russian tourists (6) AM-TR meeting date (7) +
by ar_david_hh

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This is your 10-minute Wednesday briefing in 2660 words.

executive branch transfers the management of 15% of Zangezur copper plant shares to state-owned ANIF fund

Armenian National Interests Fund is a fully state-owned enterprise founded in 2019 to promote investments in Armenia. They are working with partners to build solar farms, new national low-cost airline Fly Arna, etc.

A Russian miner recently transferred 15% of the copper giant to the government for nationalization. On Wednesday Pashinyan administration decided to transfer the management of the shares to ANIF for "more efficient use".

'ANIF:' In the mining industry, especially in developing countries, it is common practice for mining companies, to offer a small stake to the host country out of goodwill for common value creation and fair distribution of benefits.

We hope that this cooperation will be the beginning of new economic opportunities, making the balance of the state, public and investor interests a priority.

In this context, the willingness of all parties, including other stakeholders, to take steps to improve sustainability performance and implement best mining practices is of particular importance. //

'Pashinyan:' for the first time, the state has a share in Zangezur Combine. Some people [Kocharyan-Serj officials] called it a "suspicious process". What wasn't suspicious to them, apparently, is the fact that for so many years the state did not have a share in Zangezur. They tried to claim [the partial nationalization] is corruption. "Corruption" is when the state loses something, not gains it.

We've seen this since the early 2000s when individuals associated with the former governments became Zangezur shareholders.

The reverse process happened recently, and 15% was transferred to the executive branch. The government will have a representative on Zangezur's board of directors.

As a shareholder, the state coffers will receive part of the profit, which will be used towards our state needs. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072297.html https://anif.am/2022/01/05/government-hands-over-its-stake-in-zcmc-to-anif-entrusted-management/ https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072318.html https://youtu.be/N-4dds__tA0

new cigarette producer gets a tax waiver to produce & export to EAEU

The government gave an import tax waiver to ԴՐԻՄՔՈՄՓԱՆԻ (Est. 2021) to help invest $24 million on production technologies to produce cigarettes in Armenia. They plan to export 80% to EAEU and third states.

The plan is to create 100 jobs with average ֏450k salaries by 2024.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072306.html

Healthcare Ministry about the new law that bans the display of cigarettes in shops:

28% of Armenians above the age of 16 are smokers. Half of the men smoke.

The ban on cigarette display will have a significant impact on reducing non-infectious diseases in Armenia, especially among young residents.

The law was approved in 2020. It partially went into effect in 2021. It also applies to e-cigarettes, nicotine delivery devices, etc. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072292.html

trade your old vehicle for a new one

On May 27 the government approved a law to make it easier to replace an old vehicle with a new one.

'Finance Minister in May:' the bill amends the import tariff laws to help the trade-in system. Currently, when a manufacturer representative sells vehicles to a business that then resells them to individuals, [VAT-related problems arise]. //

A middleman seller will be exempt from a 10% income tax.

'Pashinyan in May:' the goal is to develop the trade-in system to swap old vehicles with new ones. It's a widely used practice in the world. //

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'Economy Minister Kerobyan today:' the law went into effect on January 1. You can give your old vehicle to a dealer and take a new one. The tax code was reformed to make the process more appealing. There is a slight deficit of new vehicles right now but we'll see new services soon. //

https://youtu.be/jQAxPMi7t80 https://factor.am/460637.html

Pashinyan about the recent decision to reduce the number of non-working days during New Year's holidays:

This was an important decision so we can all focus on work and results. It's a permanent change. The law still provides 20 annual leave days to workers, and 12 non-working days.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072291.html

government ratifies EAEU-Singapore cooperation agreement

The agreement, signed in 2019, aims at boosting the trade of goods and services and ensuring modern standards for protecting capital investment.

>the agreement stipulates the parties’ intent to sign agreements on free trade, investments and services in accordance to rules and jurisdiction defined by the parties.

Redditor /u/LotsOfRaffi wrote an article about it.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072310.html https://armenianweekly.com/2019/07/10/pashinyan-highlights-armenians-influence-in-singapore-vietnam/

Armenian and Turkish special envoys will hold the first meeting in Moscow on January 14

The goal is to attempt to normalize relations with the help of mediators.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072347.html

Vagharshak Harutyunyan appointed as ambassador to Russia

Harutyunyan served as Armenia's Defense Minister in 1999-2000 (Vazgen era) and 2020-2021.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072331.html

Pashinyan will send an envoy to participate in Armenian-Russian military-technical cooperation committee meeting

It'll begin in Irkutsk on January 24. Ranking Armenian military officials from air defense and other branches will participate.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072346.html

Yerevan will have a new unified blood bank facility to serve Armenia and Artsakh

An old building will be demolished to pave way for a new one, co-financed by Jinishyan Foundation and the government. It will unify services from all 5 provincial facilities.

The center has ambulance vehicles that transport blood to needed locations. A new registry was activated on January 1. It shows the levels of blood reserves/types in each hospital.

The center accepts 20-30 donors each day. They hope to see 40-50.

https://youtu.be/L1IUajhLjaY https://www.1lurer.am/hy/2022/01/05/Արյան-կենտրոնական-բանկ-է-ստեղծվում/637660

anti-corruption: eight others are charged in a criminal corruption case involving Kasagh mayor

Kasagh mayor was charged and arrested in November over an alleged corruption worth millions. He is also accused of fixing state auctions by not publicly disclosing upcoming auctions so only specific people could participate and win.

'Investigators in November:' in 2003, the mayor forged documents to illegally give 11.6 hectares of cemetery lands to a resident. The documents intentionally concealed the fact that the lands contained cemeteries so the transfer could be finalized. It was sold for ֏738K [$1.5k today].

The mayor also conspired with land auction commission members to fix auctions for specific participants, causing ֏43M in damages.

In 2015 the mayor helped a resident to finish the construction of an illegal structure. He attempted to cover it up after learning about a felony investigation in 2020. The mayor has been arrested and charged. //

'Investigators today:' eight others (secretaries, municipal workers) have been charged for aiding the mayor. //

Scheme details: https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072298.html

update: the government will use aerial "before and after" photos to help identify and destroy illegal buildings

The old law has an intentional loophole that allowed people to build structures illegally then pay a legal bribe to legalize them. The government wants to end that practice. Details in December 9 post. There will be a small window for the owners of old illegal structures to finalize the legalization. The ban's main target is future buildings.

Aerial photos of all buildings were taken in 2021. They will compare it to 2022-onward photos to help verify which structures were built recently without a permit. It's also meant to address concerns that some people could opt to build illegal buildings now, while the loophole is still active.

Municipal leaders will be required to demolish the structures. The law will reduce instances of lawsuits delaying the demolition process. If the mayor doesn't do it, the feds will intervene.

'Official:' last year we discovered 468 illegal structures. A criminal case is launched in 32 instances. //

'Pashinyan:' the fact that there are so many illegal buildings in Armenia shows that our institutes were not properly developed.

We should not underestimate the role of urban development. It has very important economic, cultural, and intellectual significance. The urban environment that surrounds us is an expression of our mindset. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072318.html

three young soccer players received conscription exemption to focus on their career

The government gave a military service exemption to three national youth soccer team players who recently became Armenian citizens.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072295.html

COVID stats

5.2k tested. 129 infected. 103 healed. 3 deaths.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072290.html

vaccination stats

'Ex-Minister Torosyan:' As of January 1, only 23% were fully vaccinated and 31% had at least one shot. Those are rookie numbers. Vaccines are safe and free.

We have all witnessed how our unvaccinated relatives or friends suffered seriously or died despite receiving the best medical care at a hospital. This is happening around the world. Please get vaccinated. //

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/228667

Armenia is still in EU's "green zone"

The infection's reproduction rate is 0.9. It's down by 54% compared to 2-4 weeks ago.

CDC warns about a new trend that indicates that it's about to get wrose again.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072328.html

no omicron has been detected in Armenia yet, but...

'Pashinyan:' It's a matter of time. The crisis will return unless we have a proper vaccination rate. We have all types of vaccines in Armenia. Do we have Pfizer already?

'Minister:' The contract was signed in late-2021. It will be delivered soon.

'Pashinyan:' Okay. You can get vaccinated everywhere with different vaccines to make it convenient. We've had days with 75 deaths. The vast majority were unvaccinated. You should encourage your parents to get vaccinated.

'Minister:' We also visit homes to vaccinate those who have mobility problems.

'Pashinyan:' Can our clinics use the data of vaccinated/unvaccinated residents to initiate such visits at a wider scale without waiting?

'Minister:' Clinics regularly call the unvaccinated to make the process easier. There are such visits for those with mobility or other health issues.

https://youtu.be/TadlQ6P1238 https://youtu.be/6IuBjeOHvzU https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072332.html

unvaccinated residents will soon have to present PCR results to enter some facilities

Healthcare Ministry has finalized the rules and will announce them on January 10. It's expected to go into effect around January 25.

It applies to restaurants, cafes, and cultural venues. The PCR should be taken within 3 days of visiting the place, or 1 day if it's a rapid test.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072301.html https://factor.am/460691.html

a new study confirms that COVID vaccines do not cause premature birth

>The study, one of the first to examine the health of babies born to women vaccinated during pregnancy, was a reassuring signal

>The new study looked at some 46,079 singleton pregnancies that resulted in a live birth, including some 10,064 among women who received one or more doses of [Pfizer and Moderna] Covid vaccine during their pregnancies

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/04/health/covid-vaccine-premature-birth.html

flu is still a problem

'Ministry official:' the rate is 1.8 times higher than in the same period last year. It's particularly high in Ararat and Tavush provinces.

592 hospitalizations. 13 patients are in ICU.

94% of patients are aged 0-18. They are mostly 0-5 and are serious cases.

H3N2 (aka Hong Kong influenza) is currently active. It targets ears and lungs in the 0-5 age group.

The evidence suggests that most patients got infected during holiday celebrations. Seek medical care if you develop symptoms. Don't treat yourself at home. Don't take antibiotics without a prescription. Many patients visit hospitals when their condition is already severe. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072315.html

apartment builds in Gyumri's Ani district will be thermally insulated

'Mayor Vardges:' as soon as we finish rebuilding the dilapidated and muddy streets of the district, there will be efforts to make apartments warmer.

Ani is the largest residential district. Its apartment complex buildings are made of concrete. They were built by Russian firms after the 1988 quake.

Thermal insulation will lead to 30-40% energy savings. Gyumri residents heat their apartments 5 months a year. That will amount to $200 in savings per season.

I lived 10 years in this district. The walls are cold. Penoplex will be attached to the outer layer for insulation. //

https://factor.am/460724.html

representatives of dozens of Egyptian tourism agencies visited Armenia to boost ties

60 Egyptian tour operators are in Armenia to meet Armenia's Tourism Federation. Today they signed a cooperation memorandum to establish business contacts.

Egypt has many Christian Arabs. Armenia wants to invite them to see its historical-cultural sites. Many Armenians spend their vacation on Egyptian beaches.

The government plans to simplify visas for Egyptian travelers "in the next 2-3 months".

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072334.html

tourists formed long lines to use Tsakhkadzor's chopanughi

Most of them were Russian tourists visiting Armenia. It comes amid a difficult 2021 year for Tsakhkadzor due to the pandemic and less snow.

The ropeway ride costs $4. You can also buy 1 to 7 day passes for $24-$120.

https://youtu.be/8WYBwYnxSyE https://armlur.am/1158645/

Turkish survey: The Like/Dislike ratio for politicians

Ankara Mayor CHP Mansur Yavas - 60%/25%

Istanbul Mayor CHP Ekrem Imamoglu - 51%/37%

İYİ leader Meral Aksener - 38%/53%

AKP's Recep Tayyip Erdogan - 38%/55%

Survey by MetroPOLL.

https://twitter.com/ozersencar1/status/1478297526197440516?s=20

protests escalated into riots in Kazakhstan

Yesterday we learned that thousands of Kazakh residents took to the streets to protest the 2x petroleum gas price hike, which the government justified as necessary to address the higher production costs.

The government cabinet later resigned but that did not satisfy the protesters. President Tokayev declared a state of emergency. Internet was shut down. Tear gas was used.

Rioters attacked vehicles and administrative buildings with clubs and shields. The president's residence was set ablaze in the largest city Almaty.

Russia urged foreign powers not to intervene, saying Kazakhstan can solve its own problems. OSCE called for de-escalation and dialogue.

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President Tokayev addressed the nation second time today and announced that he will replace ex-president Nursultan Nazarbayev as the chief of the Security Council. "The measures taken by me are aimed at the welfare of multiethnic Kazakhstan. But these measures are not enough yet. There are highly organized elements of hooliganism."

Tokayev announced the deaths of several law enforcement agents after the clashes. He vowed a harsh response. Local media reported 8 deaths and 317 injuries among the law enforcement, and at least 57 injuries among civilians.

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Rioters torched the state-owned "Kazakhstan TV" headquarters. They stormed the local office of the National Security Committee in Almaty. The emergency state expanded to cover the whole country. Military-style equipment was seen on the streets. Protesters attempted to capture two army trucks.

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Video captured attempts to topple Nursultan Nazarbayev's statue in Almaty, while protesters sang the anthem. A photo shows the aftermath.

Protesters captured the Almaty airport. The staff was evacuated. The flights were suspended. Some people were taken by surprise because they were told that the military was guarding the airport.

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President Tokayev asked for help from CSTO countries, calling the events "an act of external aggression". Neighboring Kyrgyzstan announced readiness to send aid. Pashinyan, who is the CSTO Collective Security Council Chairman, had a phone call with Tokayev to launch discussions within the bloc.

Kazakh authorities launched an "anti-terror" operation in Almaty airport. Two officers were killed.

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No Armenian nationals are known to be injured, announced Armenia's Foreign Ministry.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072288.html https://globalnews.ca/news/8489570/kazakhstan-protests-anti-government-president/ https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072340.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072342.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072348.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072352.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072353.html https://factor.am/460759.html https://factor.am/460811.html https://youtu.be/erR9Jd7yJVc https://youtu.be/ru0OTFs7zjU https://youtu.be/-jmfJU2CNI4 https://youtu.be/-49qWrg6M-w https://factor.am/460822.html https://factor.am/460859.html https://factor.am/460874.html https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/228726 https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/228685 https://www.azatutyun.am/a/31641065.html https://www.1lurer.am/hy/2022/01/05/Անհապաղ-խորհրդակցություններ-եմ-սկսում-ՀԱՊԿ-երկրների-ղեկավարների-հետ-վարչապետը-հեռախոսազրույց-է-ունե/637854 https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072357.html

Russia's attempt to compete against Elon Musk's Falcon 9 rocket suffers a setback

Russia has been using Proton boosters for half a century now. Twenty years ago they launched the "Angara" project as a replacement.

Angara A5 is a heavy lift variant. It reportedly costs $100M a pop, making it less competitive against SpaceX's Falcon 9.

Angara A5 was successfully tested in 2014. Cash-strapped Roscosmos then suspended the works for six years, until the second successful test in December 2020.

The third and final test flight was scheduled. If successful, Russia would begin to send military payloads and commercial satellites with the A5.

The third test would be slightly different, though. They decided to use a new upper stage (the top portion of the rocket) that does not use toxic propellants.

The test was not successful. The initial liftoff was successful but it did not reach the higher stable orbit because it failed to fire the second time.

>Russian officials nonetheless celebrated the Angara rocket's test launch as a great achievement.

The rocket is expected to make an uncontrolled re-entry into the atmosphere on Wednesday. Track it: https://www.n2yo.com/?s=50505

https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/01/whats-going-on-with-russias-new-heavy-lift-rocket/ https://weatherboy.com/20-ton-out-of-control-russian-rocket-due-to-crash-on-earth-on-wednesday-afternoon/

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The news in русский (by Impossible-Ad-).

News archive: http://www.armeniapedia.org/wiki/Daily_Anti-Corruption_Reports Donations: soldiers' families, humanitarian aid, US tax-deductible donation.

The accused are innocent unless proven guilty in the court of law, even if they "appear" guilty.

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Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/rwwb62/news_jan52022_1_stateowned_investment_fund_to/