Importing Cell Phones Into Armenia

With a virtual monopoly on everything else, why should cell phones be any different?

...the elder son of the Armenian President Sedrak Kocharyan controls the imports of mobile phones...a decision was made at the top level to transfer the monopoly of imports of mobile phones to...through Samvel Alexanyan, the sole importer of sugar to Armenia. It means Alexanyan is now a shareholder of Sedrak Kocharyan’s business...

...importers of cannot get customs clearance for a long time now. Meanwhile, it is impossible to get the mobiles to the market without customs clearance first...In addition, the National Security Service has displayed interest in companies which have been importing mobile phones to Armenia so far.

There you have it!

Source: Lragir

ArmenTel Gains Even More Customers

It is amazing that there is such a great demand for cell phones in a country as small as Armenia.

The number of mobile subscribers of the "ArmenTel" Company reached 450 thousand.

In November 2006, when "VimpelCom" purchased 90% share of "ArmenTel" from the Greek OTE, the number of the mobile subscribers of the Company was 400 thousand.

So in less than four months, about 50,000 new people decided that they should have cell phones. Amazing!

Source: Banks.am

Euroset Comes to Armenia

Is this a sign that local monopolies may soon face international competition?

“Euroset” Company - one of the largest retailers in Russia and the CIS states, today announced the opening two shops in Yerevan...by the end of the year there will be 30 shops of the net opened in Armenia.

We are happy to announce the opening of the “Euroset” shops in Armenia – the eleventh country, where our company functions. Now a good choice of mobile phones, digital equipment with traditionally low prices for the company will be available for our customers in Armenia. As in all the other countries, we will offer the customers in Armenia high standards of quality service”, the President of “Euroset” Eldar Razroev stated.

They already have 5,100 shops across the CIS, and in 2006 had sales of over $4.62 billion. Other international companies will be making their way to Armenia soon, if this is any indication.

Source: Banks.am