YEREVAN, AUGUST 22, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian economic activity index for January-July 2016 surpassed the index of the same period of the previous year by 3%. The index rose by 2.5% in July 2016 compared to June. “Armenpress” reports, the National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia has introduced the current-operative preliminary main macro-economic indicators characterizing the socio-economic situation of Armenia.

Construction and trade turnover have dropped. Consumer price index dropped by 1.5%, index of the price of industrial production declined by 2.4%. Construction volume decreased by 7.6% compared to the same period of the previous year. There is a 5.5% decrease in electricity production. Service volume (trade excluded) rose by 7.6% and the gross agricultural production increased by 1.3% in 2016.

In the period of January-July 2016, trade turnover declined by 0.4% compared to the same period of 2015 and amounted 1 trillion 174 billion and 006.8 million AMD. Industrial production volume grew by 7.9 % amounting 777 billion 448.9 million AMD.

Average monthly wage increased by 2.3% (143 thousand and 987 drams). This is when average monthly wage in the public sector decreased by 0.6% (159 thousand and 957 drams).

External trade turnover volumes grew by 2.3% (2 billion and 658.8 million USD) against January-July 2015, while exports increased by 16.5% (969 million USD) and imports decreased by 4.6 % (1 billion and 689.8 million USD). US exchange rate against the dram was 482.81.

All absolute rates are presented based on current prices.