YEREVAN, MAY 23, ARMENPRESS: A government-appointed inter-agency commission,
led by trade and economic development minister Karen Chshmaritian is steering
preparation for the first pan-Armenian business forum that is slated to take
place in Yerevan September 22-23. The forum is part of a plan of actions, approved
by the Second Armenia-Diaspora Conference, to boost Armenia-Diaspora economic
ties and bring more investments into Armenia. Chshmaritian said today that the
forum will enable Diaspora-based Armenian businessmen to see the scale of improvements
achieved in the last 3-4 years, get a better knowledge of favorable investment
climate and Armenia's economic development prospects.
Unlike other business forums held so far its participants will have to pay participation fee in the amount of 100 Euro and the raised sum will be used for proper organization of the gathering. The minister said: "we shall try not to take money from the budget for this meeting." Chshmaritian said they also expect assistance from the UNDP and wealthy Armenian businessmen.
The business forum will go on parallel to an exhibition of locally manufactured goods and cultural events for its participants. The minister said the main stress will be on small and medium-sized businesses development and improvement of technical base of local enterprises. He said invitations were sent to around 1,000 Diaspora businessmen and the final list of businessmen who will come to Armenia will be clear in a couple of months. Chshmaritian expressed hope that the participation will be active, as the recent Russian-Armenian business forum in Yerevan was evidence that Armenia is becoming more attractive to foreign businessmen.