ArmInfo.  "This measure does not concern price regulation. It concerns cashback for non-cash purchases using ArCa National Payment System cards," Armenian Deputy Finance  Minister Edgar Mkrtchyan stated at a press conference on December 26,  answering a question from an ArmInfo correspondent about whether the  legislator has provided mechanisms to curb the rise in prices and  annual service fees for ArCa cards, given the projected increase in  the number of people wishing to purchase these cards, following the  Cabinet's adoption of a cashback program for ArCa card purchases.

ArmInfo.  Armenian authorities need to foster positive public sentiment toward  Azerbaijan, which strives for "peace" and, therefore, supplies  gasoline to Armenia at a lower price than Russia. Vahe Davtyan, a  political scientist and energy security expert, wrote this on his  Facebook page. 

ArmInfo.  During a meeting on "Digitalization of Healthcare in the EAEU Member States," Armenian Health Minister Anahit Avanesyan expressed her readiness to implement joint projects and exchange experiences with partners to make the  healthcare of the future accessible to all.

ArmInfo.  A roundtable discussion on bilateral cooperation, "Kazakhstan-Armenia: Dialogue in Tourism," was held in Yerevan in a hybrid format. 

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ArmInfo.  Armenia hopes that Russia will restore the railway lines connecting it with Nakhichevan, Azerbaijan, and Turkey as soon as possible. Armenian Prime Minister  Nikol Pashinyan told reporters this during a briefing, commenting on  the agenda of his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

ArmInfo. The state is ready, if necessary, to assist in developing relations between  Armenian and Azerbaijani businesses. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol  Pashinyan stated this during a briefing on December 25, answering a  question from an ArmInfo correspondent.

ArmInfo.  By the end of 2026, Armenia's GDP growth will be at least 6%, compared to the 5.1% budgeted for by the state budget. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made  this forecast on December 25 at a regular government meeting, noting  that since the "non-violent, velvet people's revolution of 2018,"  Armenia's gross domestic product has grown by approximately 50%, with  "we're talking about real economic growth."

ArmInfo.  In Armenia, the industrial price index rose to 103.6% in January-November 2025 (from 103.4% in the same period of 2024). This slight change in this  indicator is observed against the backdrop of a deterioration in the  annual dynamics of the industrial sector, from 7.6% growth to a  stagnant 0.5%, with a volume of 2.8 trillion drams ($7.3 billion).  This is evidenced by preliminary data from the Statistical Committee  of the Republic of Armenia.

ArmInfo.  On December 25, the Armenian government approved measures and procedures for cashback on non-cash transactions using ArCa National Payment System cards. Starting in 2026, cardholders will receive a 2% cashback. Pensioners  and individuals receiving benefits will also receive an additional 2%  on non-cash purchases when paying with an ArCa card, in addition to  the already established 20% cashback.

ArmInfo. AraratBank has concluded the year with a notable recognition from its international partner, Visa. At the year-end awards ceremony of the Visa International Payment and Settlement System, AraratBank was honored with the Trusted Partnership Award 2025. 

ArmInfo. In Armenia, economic activity began to accelerate ahead of the New Year holidays, growing to 8.3% for the first 11 months of 2025 (from 7.4% in the same period  a year ago). Meanwhile, foreign trade continued to decline at a  double-digit rate, compared to significant growth a year earlier.  According to preliminary data from the RA Statistics Committee, the  industrial sector, which was one of the drivers of economic growth a  year ago, is now stagnating.

ArmInfo. The Kap Reservoir will be built, and the village will be resettled. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced this to journalists during a  briefing, commenting on the suspension of the Kap Reservoir  construction project.

ArmInfo.  The Ministry of High-Tech Industry of Armenia plans to expand cooperation with the innovative company Eleveight AI in the field of Artificial  Intelligence (AI).

ArmInfo.On December 25, the Armenian government extended the export ban on a number of agricultural products, including wheat, rye, barley, corn, buckwheat, sunflower seeds, and sunflower oil, to countries outside the Eurasian Economic Union for six months.

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