Microsoft is considering legal action against OpenAI and Amazon
 Wednesday, March 18 2026,

ArmInfo. Microsoft Corp. is considering filing a lawsuit against Amazon.com Inc. and OpenAI over their $50 billion deal, The Financial Times reports, citing informed sources. According to the publication's sources, Microsoft believes the deal could violate the terms of its exclusive cloud partnership agreement with OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT.

Armenia to participate in Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris 
 Wednesday, March 18 2026,

ArmInfo. From August 31 to September 2, Armenia will participate in Texworld Apparel Sourcing  Paris, one of the largest international textile and clothing industry exhibitions in Europe.

In the US, gasoline prices exceeded $3.75 for the first time since 2023
 Wednesday, March 18 2026,

ArmInfo. Global fuel markets continue to face supply disruptions caused by the war in the Middle East. The average price of gasoline in the US exceeded $3.75 per gallon (about 3.78 liters) for the first time since October 2023, according to pricing platform Gasbuddy.

Armenia to choose its future NPP model in 2026 or early 2027: MTAI 
 Wednesday, March 18 2026,

ArmInfo. The second program to extend the lifespan of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) until 2036 will begin in a few days, as stated by Davit Khudatyan, Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure (MTAI) , on March 18  meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Economic Affairs, when presenting a report on the progress and results of the implementation of the Government Program (2021-2026) for 2025.

David Khudatyan: Electricity exports to Iran continue
 Wednesday, March 18 2026,

ArmInfo. Armenia is currently exporting electricity to Iran, as stated by Davit Khudatyan, Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure (MTAI), on March 18 at a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Economic Affairs,  when presenting a report on the progress and achievements of the implementation of the Government Program  (2021-2026) for 2025.

IDBank and Idram Continue Cooperation with the “ZARK” Educational Foundation
 Wednesday, March 18 2026,

ArmInfo. IDBank and Idram continue their cooperation with the “ZARK” Educational Foundation within the framework of educational and social programs, contributing to youth development and fostering positive change in communities.

In 2025, 504.5 km of roads built and modernized in Armenia in total
 Wednesday, March 18 2026,

ArmInfo. In 2025, a total of 504.5 km of roads were built, reconstructed, repaired, and modernized in Armenia using state treasury funds, as stated by Davit Khudatyan, Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure (MTAI), on March 18  meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Economic Affairs. He was presenting a report on the progress and  achievements of the implementation of the Government Program  (2021-2026) for 2025.

Armenia targets "fake bankruptcies" with sweeping new legal code
 Wednesday, March 18 2026,

ArmInfo. Armenia is undertaking another attempt to resolve bankruptcy-related issues. During its March 18 meeting, the RA National Assembly Committee on State and Legal Affairs issued a positive opinion on the Bankruptcy Code and a supporting package of related laws submitted by the RA government for first reading.

Armenia and Vietnam discuss prospects for increasing trade turnover
 Wednesday, March 18 2026,

ArmInfo. Armenia and Vietnam discussed prospects for increasing bilateral trade turnover.

Red Wings airline to launch Orenburg-Yerevan flight
 Wednesday, March 18 2026,

ArmInfo.  The Russian airline Red Wings plans to launch a new flight between Orenburg and Yerevan. This was announced in a statement by the airline. Red Wings has opened ticket sales for a new direct route between Orenburg and Yerevan.

5th meeting of Armenia-EU Subcommittee on Economic Cooperation and  Other Related Areas held
 Wednesday, March 18 2026,

ArmInfo. The 5th meeting of the Armenia-EU Subcommittee on Economic Cooperation and Other Related Areas was held yesterday at the Ministry of Finance of Armenia. 

Armenia`s Central Bank  forecasts GDP growth of 7.1-4.7% in 2026,  expecting a resumption of growth in foreign trade 
 Tuesday, March 17 2026,

ArmInfo.The Central Bank of Armenia forecasts a GDP growth of 7.1-4.7% in 2026 and then 5.7-5.3% in 2027, also expecting an improvement in foreign trade dynamics. As a result, the absolute value of GDP will increase to 12.6-12.2 trillion drams (in 2026 from an actual 11.3 trillion drams in 2025), with subsequent growth to 13.8-13.3 trillion drams in 2027, as noted in the Central Bank of Armenia's March report, "Monetary Policy for Q1 2026."

 Tuesday, March 17 2026,

ArmInfo.

Martin Galstyan: Armenia`s country risk premium is increasing, but  investor confidence remains high
 Tuesday, March 17 2026,

ArmInfo. Events surrounding Iran have impacted the country risk premium dynamics in Armenia, pushing it upward by 20 basis points, while over the past year, the risk premium has decreased significantly by 100 basis  points, as stated by Martin Galstyan, Chairman of the Central Bank of Armenia, during a press conference on March 17.

Martin Galstyan: Escalation of the Middle East  conflict could have a  1.2-1.7% impact on inflation in Armenia
 Tuesday, March 17 2026,

ArmInfo.According to estimates by the Central Bank of Armenia, an escalation of the conflict in the Middle East could have a 1.2-1.7% impact on the country's inflation. Central Bank Chairman Martin Galstyan made this  forecast during a press conference on March 17.

IDBank issued the 2nd and 3rd tranches of bonds of 2026
 Tuesday, March 17 2026,

ArmInfo.On March 17, 2026, IDBank placed registered coupon bonds through a public offering on the following terms:

Economy Minister  receives EU Ambassador to Armenia
 Tuesday, March 17 2026,

ArmInfo.Armenian Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan received the Head of the European Union (EU) Mission to Armenia, Ambassador Vassilis Maragos. Zaruhi Muradyan, Director of the Armenian Viticulture and Winemaking Foundation, also attended the meeting.

RA Central Bank  maintaining  its key rate due to anticipated  inflation from increased oil prices, supply chain disruptions, and  shifts in trade routes amid the Middle East conflict
 Tuesday, March 17 2026,

ArmInfo. Inflation in Armenia may accelerate due to a significant increase in oil prices, disruptions in supply chains, and changes in trade routes in the context of the Middle East conflict.

Employment in Armenia shifting towards service sector - EDB
 Tuesday, March 17 2026,

ArmInfo. Since 2019, the trend of employment redistribution toward the service sector has intensified in Armenia  (from 54% in 2019 to 58% in 2024), according to the March Macroeconomic Review prepared by EDB specialists.

Strong economic growth in most EDB member countries is driven by high  investment activity - Macroeconomic Review
 Tuesday, March 17 2026,

ArmInfo.Strong economic growth in most EDB member countries over the past three years was driven by high  investment activity, as investments in fixed capital have been steadily growning at double-digit rates since 2023, as stated in the March Macroeconomic Review prepared by experts from the Eurasian Development Bank.

Exchange rates
18.03.2026
RUB4.53-0.06
USD377.39-0.07
EUR435.551.28
GBP504.041.15
CAD275.530.01
JPY23.740.02
CNY54.910.12
CHF480.200.52