Yerevan, September 21 /Mediamax/. Chairman of the Central Bank of Armenia Tigran Sarkisian described as “very important deal in the banking market of Armenia” the acquisition of “Armimpexbank” by the famous Russian “Troika Dialogue” investment company.

Mediamax reports that, speaking at a news conference in Yerevan today, Tigran Sarkisian expressed hope that the arrival of such an authority player as “Troika Dialogue” in the Armenian banking market will assist the growth of competition, the implementation of new banking services and the increase of the interest of foreign investors for Armenia.

President of “Troika Dialogue” Company Ruben Vardanian stated today that “jointly with our partner - “Ameria” Company - we have been for a long time following the development of the financial market of Armenia”. According to him, “we believe that the economy in Armenia has reached the stage when it is possible to talk about the development of the securities market and the necessity to offer the customers new investment instruments”.

Ruben Vardanian noted that “Troika Dialogue” and “Ameria” intend to establish an investment bank on the basis of “Armimpexbank”, which will allow providing the customers services by the following chain formula: financial market – real economy sector – capital market.

The special fund, established by “Troika Dialogue”, purchased 96% of the shares of “Armimpexbank” from the British businessman Vache Manukian for $13mln. Ruben Vardanian noted that the volume of investments in “Armimpexbank” by the beginning of 2008 will make up to $50mln. He noted that “in the course of the nearest 2-3 years we plan to become one of the three leaders of the Armenian banking market”.

Ruben Vardanian stated that the leadership of “Armimpexbank” “will undergo serious innovations”; the re-branding of the bank can not be rule out as well.