Yerevan, July 28 /Mediamax/. 5.600 new small and medium enterprises were established in Armenia in the first half of 2006, which provided over 11 000 workplaces.

Director of the Small and Medium Entrepreneurship Development National Center of Armenia (SME DNC of Armenia), Ishkhan Karapetian, said in Yerevan today that 1600 SMEs were closed in Armenia in 2005.

In the first half of 2006, the specific weight of SMEs in GDP volume made 39,6% instead of 39,2% of the same period last year. During the accounting period, the share of SMEs in the export volume totaled 16,8%.

During first 6 months of 2006, the Center rendered consultative assistance to 2326 beginner and acting SMEs.