Fitch Affirms Armenia at 'BB-'

Fitch Ratings has affirmed Armenia's Long-term foreign and local currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDR) at 'BB-' with a Stable Outlook.

Reuters reports that the Country Ceiling has been affirmed at 'BB' and the Short-term rating at 'B'. KEY RATING DRIVERS The affirmation reflects the following factors: The consolidated general government deficit fell to 1.4% of GDP in 2012, down from 2.8% of GDP in 2011, outperforming the target for the second successive year. The government succeeded in meeting its goal of increasing tax revenues, although under-execution of capital spending also contributed, by 1.2pp of GDP. The deficit will increase again in 2014 due to the costs of introducing a pension reform, estimated at 0.5% of GDP in the first year. General government debt rose 1.8pp of GDP to 44.1% of GDP in 2012, but Fitch expects it to stabilise from 2013 onwards. Currency depreciation is a risk to solvency given that over 80% of government debt is foreign currency-denominated. External sovereign debt service is modest, but rising. The government aims to deepen the local capital market. Real GDP grew by 7.2% in 2012, faster than in any other rated sovereign in Emerging Europe, driven by agriculture, mining and services. Faster growth has accompanied a government drive to improve the business climate, although qualitative weaknesses persist. Growth slowed in Q213, but Fitch expects it to reach 5% in 2013-15, higher than its previous forecasts. Consumption and net trade are contributing, while investment is weak. Headwinds will come from higher gas prices and slower growth in Russia. A current account deficit (CAD) above 10% of GDP is still a rating weakness, although it is gradually narrowing, driven by exports. The CAD is forecast to fall below 10% of GDP in 2014, with FDI accounting for an increasing share of CAD financing. Reserves will be flat as Armenia starts to repay IMF lending. Governance indicators are slightly below 'BB' medians. Serzh Sargsyan won a second term as president in February 2013, completing a smooth election cycle and pointing to policy continuity. However, an angry popular response to a proposed rise in public transport fares in Yerevan suggests dissatisfaction and latent political risks. Armenia's rating is supported by a relatively strong macroeconomic framework and a good inflation track record in comparison with the peer group of 'BB' rated sovereigns. However, rising food prices and a 15.1% rise in energy tariffs (stemming from higher gas import costs) pushed up inflation to 8.5% year on year, in July 2013. By 2014 inflation should return to the target range, below 5.5%.


Fitch previously highlighted the risks to the banking sector from strong lending growth, albeit from a low base. Headline growth in bank lending to the private sector slowed to 16% year on year in May 2013, from 27% at end-2012. The CBA has moved to dampen growth in foreign currency lending. Bank risks to sovereign creditworthiness are mitigated by loss absorption capacity and predominantly foreign ownership of the banks.