Yerevan, November 21 /Mediamax/. Armenian government and the Swedish OMX Exchange operator signed an agreement today on purchase and sale of the shares of Armenian Stock Exchange and Central Depository.

As Mediamax was told in the press service of the government, from the Armenian side, the agreement was signed by Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian, on behalf of OMX – by the Executive Director of the Company Magnus Böcker. The press service of the government noted that the agreement was signed with the help of internet technologies, during the Yerevan-Stockholm videoconference.

In accordance with the signed agreement, OMX becomes a 100% owner of the Armenian Stock Exchange and the Armenian Central Depository. The shares will be handed over to the new owner on January 3 of 2008.

The Armenian government and OMX also signed an agreement on cooperation, which provides for the realization of joint efforts on long-term development of the capital market of Armenia.

“This is not just business for us. This is also a market entry of a company, which has a good name, traditions and experience, and which will help us developing the capital market. The Armenian government considers this market an important factor along the way of further economic development, and we are ready to work with OMX for reaching our joint ambitious goals”, Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian stated.

Chairman of the Central Bank of Armenia Tigran Sarkisian stated that the entry of OMX on the Armenian market will provide better conditions for the local entrepreneurs for attracting means from internal and foreign investors.

Executive Director of OMX Magnus Böcker noted that “close cooperation with the government and the Armenian Central Bank gives us grounds to hope for the potential of a long-term growth of the Armenian market”.