YEREVAN, March 17, /ARKA/. Head of World Bank Yerevan Office, Aristomene Varoudakis, said today it will take Armenia a long time to be back on the track of economic recovery.

He said the World Bank hopes that the country has approached close to overcoming the economic crisis and that the economy will begin to stabilize.

‘We can see this trend from the results of the first month of this year, but it is important that everyone understands that the process of economic recovery is going to be protracted ,’ he said at a news conference.

Armenian GDP grew by 2.4% in January 2010 if compared to 2009 January. Mr. Varoudakis reminded that the growth was secured by two sectors- construction and mining industry. He said it will be difficult for these two sectors, especially construction, to regain the previous strength, because there are still unfinished buildings, unsold apartments and commercial space.

“As long as these apartments and commercial space are not sold, and the unfinished buildings are not finished, I do not see any opportunity for new investments,’ he said. Her also pointed out the need for diversifying the economy in the next 2 years.

Armenian government predicts a 1.2% economy growth this year. Earlier World Bank, EBRD and IMF predicted a 2 % growth.  -0-