YEREVAN. – Armenia’s economic activity index grew by 8.3 percent in January-September 2012, as compared with the same time period last year, the National Statistical Service informs.

To note, a 14-percent economic activity growth was registered in September, as compared with August, and this increase was 4.4 percent, as compared with September 2011.

But a 0.2-percent fall in the industry sector was recorded in September, as compared with August, and, as a result, the industry’s nine-month growth rate fell to 11.6 percent.  

Yet the service sector—but without trade—contributed to most to the economic activity increase, as it was 11.2 percent since the beginning of the year.

The agricultural growth was at 10.5 percent, from January to September, and this accounts for a 26-percent increase on a monthly basis. 

The construction sector’s rate of drop, however, reduced considerably falling all the way to 2 percent, as compared with the 4-5 percent of the previous months. An unprecedented growth, with 43.4 percent, was recorded in September’s construction, as compared with August.

Also, the trade turnover increased by 2.9 percent and electricity production grew by 8 percent in the past nine months.  

The average monthly salary in Armenia constituted AMD 118,200 (approx $292) in September thereby surpassing the September 2011 indicator by 5.3 percent.