YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 3, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan on February 3 received Director General of France Telecom (Orange Armenia) company Bruno Dutois. Presenting the activities of France Telecom which is considered one of the world's leading operators in the communication sector, B. Dutois said that Orange Armenia is still at the stage of its formation and intends to finish preparatory work by late 2009 and start its activities during that period. According to him, in 2009 the company plans to make additional investments of 70 million USD, having a purpose of operating not only in the capital city but also in Armenian marzes (provinces). T. Sargsyan attached importance to the entrance of France Telcom into the Armenian market from several points of view: first, the competition in the communication sector will increase, thanks to which the consumer will benefit, new investments will be made and new jobs will be created. This circumstance is especially important under conditions of the current financial and economic crisis. According to the RA Government Information and PR Department, the French Ambassador to Armenia Serge Smessov and the Director-Shareholder of Grant Thornton Amyot company Armand Pinarbasi participated in the meeting.

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