ROBERT KOCHARIAN: “IF I HAD A LOT OF MONEY...”

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“To tell the truth, if I had a lot of money, I would make investments in Armenia and nowhere else,” RA President Robert Kocharian said while addressing the Armenian-Belgian business forum in Brussels. The forum hosted representatives of about 80 Belgian organizations, as well as the delegation of Armenian businessmen.

Nerses Eritsyan, the Minister of Trade and Economic Development, presented “the dynamic state” of the Armenian economy.

Tigran Davtyan, the Director of the Armenian Development Agency (ADA), dwelt on Armenia’s recent achievements- the increase in economy, state budget, gross Domestic Product (GDP), revenues, foreign investments, etc.

Arsen Ghazaryan, the Chairman of the Manufacturers and Businessmen Union, called on foreign businessmen to make investments in Armenia as the country is a prefect bridge between Eastern and Western countries. “I started from nothing while today my company is one of the best in the world.”

ARMENIA-PARADISE FOR BUSINESSMEN

In answer to Belgian businessmen’s question why Armenia is profitable for launching business, Robert Kocharian said, “Can I suffice your curiosity by saying no one will regret if he starts a business in Armenia?”

The RA president enumerated all the advantages of the so-called “Caucasian tiger” – “new job opportunities, favourable legislative sphere, stability, budget and economic growth without natural resources-oil, gas”

According to Robert Kocharian over the past ten years of his office, none of the investors has suffered a loss in Armenia.

TO GO OR NOT TO GO?

Roger Van Baal, the Director of trading company Integra had no notion of Armenia before to the forum. “Our company has branches in many countries of the world including the former Soviet Union. I phoned our CIS representative to inquire about the Republic of Armenia. In answer to my question why the company hasn’t got a branch in Armenia, he said. “There are no business opportunities in Armenia.” I couldn’t find any information on Armenian chemical sphere either. The figures on economic growth are really promising. We shall conduct our survey. I voice hope that it won’t be a waste of time and finances.”

Ruzan Amirjanyan

Brussels