Yerevan /Mediamax/. “Grant Thornton Amyot” feels responsibility for stimulating business circles of Armenia towards application of progressive financial tools, said Gurgen Hakobyan, shareholder of “Grant Thornton Amyot”.

Mediamax reports that Gurgen Hakobyan said this, speaking at a news conference in Yerevan today, devoted to “Capital Markets in Armenia” international conference, which is to launch tomorrow. The Conference is organized by “Grant Thornton Amyot”.

“Realization of the role of capital markets in development of the Armenian economy and the growing interests of Armenia businessmen to open deals became ground for organizing the conference”, Gurgen Hakobyan stated.

According to him, many Armenian companies in recent years have been registering serious growth and are ready to apply new financial tools.

Gurgen Hakobyan informed that the conference will be attended by “Grant Thornton” experts on capital markets from France and Great Britain and representatives of governmental and private sectors of Armenia. At the conference, the Armenian businessmen will be presented with prospects Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) and the opportunities of the capital market.

General Director of “NASDAQ OMX Armenia” Armen Melikyan welcomed the initiative of “Grant Thornton Amyot”, stressing the importance of education and training for potential issuers for entering the capital market. “The global financial crisis is the most convenient period for Armenian companies to learn the lessons of crisis and enter the capital market upon its conclusion”, Armen Melikyan stated.

He also noted the importance of attracting investments now, adding that the first IPO in Armenia may take place before the end of the first quarter of 2009.

Gurgen Hakobyan and Armen Melikyan noted that the most likely candidates for the first IPO in Armenia are the bond issuers, which already function on the Exchange, and which, thus, have their credit history.

Mediamax reminds that the agenda of “Capital Markets of Armenia” conference and the list of the speakers are placed at http://Capitalmarket.Banks.am, which is the official web-partner of the conference.

Central Bank and the Ministry of Economy of Armenia, Union of Armenian Banks, “NASDAQ OMX Armenia”, U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Armenia, USAID Financial Sector Deepening in Armenia Project, “Armenia Marriott” Hotel, Mediamax News Agency, Business Class and “Basis” magazines assist “Grant Thornton Amyot” in organizing the conference.

The launch of “Capital Markets in Armenia” conference will take place at 11:00, February 27, in “Tigran Mets” hall of “Armenia Marriott” Hotel.