Armenia, Russia deepening economic ties

PanARMENIAN.Net - “Armenian-Russian partnership is characterized by special economic relations and I’m hopeful that this event will help find new cooperation models,” Serzh Sargsyan said in his opening remarks. “Currently, there are 1400 enterprises with Russian capital operating in Armenia with US$3 billion investment portfolio, which tends to increase.”

For his part, head of the Russian presidential administration Sergei Narishkin, who read out President Dmitry Medvedev’s congratulatory telegram, said that trade turnover between the two countries totaled US$860 million last year.

Addressing the forum, Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan informed that the authorities have 7 key packages of reforms on the way to innovative economy. Under the first package, the government has started implementing a state industrial policy for the first time in the past 20 years, said during the opening of First Armenian-Russian Interregional Forum in Yerevan. He outlined the bill on free economic zones in the first package. The second package refers to problems of agriculture development. The third package envisages creation of information society in Armenia. Sargsyan referred to introduction of broadband Internet in Armenia, Computer for All program, as well as e-government system. Under the fourth package, favorable conditions for business will be created, what includes establishment of simple, clear and equal conditions of operation for all business entities. The fifth package refers to large infrastructural program, specifically construction of a new energy unit of the Armenian NPP, North-South highway, Armenia-Iran railroad. Improvement of living standards for the Armenian citizens will be implemented, including reformation of the pension and healthcare systems, etc. As for the seventh package, it refers to equal development of Armenia’s regions.

Russian Minister of Transport, Co-chairman of the Armenian-Russian intergovernmental commission Igor Levitin noted for his part that Armenia-Russia ties have reached a new level over the past years. “We have managed to overcome consequences of the global economic crisis, increase the trade turnover between the countries,” he said.

Armenia and Russia have implemented a large number of joint programs in both economic and humanitarian fields, attaching importance to negotiations on construction of a new energy unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant.

The forum also included a number of roundtable discussions on development of bilateral economic relations, transport and communication as well as joint energy projects. Upon completion of the event, various documents were signed.