Ameria’s experts have studied fish processing and preserving industry of the last 7 years. According to the research findings, fish processing and preserving has waned considerably in 2006-2011, nonetheless dramatic growth of the industry in 2012 (mainly due to the very low basic indicator) holds promise of new development. In 2012, the production volumes went beyond 1.5 mln US dollars.

According to Ameria’s experts, imports of food products (including beverages and tobacco) are much more diversified by product groups than exports, and there is no major item standing out. Products are mainly imported from the CIS and EU countries.

The key trade partner among the CIS countries is Russia supplying 45% of imported alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, 44% of cocoa and cocoa-made products (chocolate), 26% of tobacco products and 33% of vegetable and animal oils and fats.

According to the findings of food processing industry research conducted by Ameria Management Advisory Services experts, fruit and vegetables processing and preserving sector, including juices, is considered a sunrise industry to prosper in Armenia in the coming years. About 25 companies are currently practicing processing and preserving of fruit and vegetables as their major activity.

On April 10, 2013, Ameria Advisory gave a presentation on the large-scale research of the food processing industry in Armenia, including beverages and tobacco. The research findings provide in-depth information on the production, processing and consumption volumes of specified products, industry development trends, barriers, predictable risks, etc. The research provides a country-to-country analysis and reviews opportunities of new investments.

Another research of Ameria CJSC covers food processing industry, including beverages and tobacco subsectors.

Back in October last year, Ameria initiated a series of all-embracing researches in various industries, which generated tremendous feedback from the parties involved, sector analysts and experts. While the first research covered the retail trade sector in Yerevan, and FMCG subsector in particular, the second research was focused on the tourism and hospitality industry.

Ameria Management Advisory has implemented a comprehensive research in tourism and hotel accommodation industry. This was the subject of the interview of the First Armenian News channel with Karen Martirosyan, Deputy Head of Ameria Management Advisory Services.

Mr. Martirosyan, what was the purpose of the research and what areas did it cover?

Back in August this year, the National Mortgage Company RCO CJSC and the French Development Agency launched a new program aimed to increase mortgage loans affordability for lower and middle income households.

The main goal of the program is development of mortgage market. Despite solid market potential in Armenia the number of mortgage borrowers remains small. The gap between the quality of existing residential apartments in Yerevan and the regions is huge. The social and economic conditions of lower and middle income households are at a low level; however the demand for the home improvements is rather high.

On December 14, 2012 Tigran Jrbashyan, Head of Ameria Management Advisory Services, Artashes Shaboyan, Senior Research Specialist of Ameria Management Advisory Services, and Arman Porsughyan, Consultant of Ameria Management Advisory Services, held the presentation of recent research relating to “Armenian Hospitality Industry Research: Tourism and Hotel Accommodation” conducted by Ameria CJSC, at “Western Congress Hotel”.

In 2012 hotel business turnover in Armenia comprises $72.1 million and will reach $ 99.6 million by 2015, says the research conducted by experts of Ameria CJSC.

The share of this industry in Armenia’s GDP makes 0.66% in 2012, and due to its growth tendency it is expected to reach 0.79% by 2015.

Georgia received the most number of tourists among the South Caucasus states last year, touristic and hotel field report conducted by Ameria reads.

According to the report by Ameria, Georgia received the most number of tourists, followed by Azerbaijan and Armenia last year.

As the conducted study of last ten years shows, the touristic flows to Georgia doubled. It reached from