Yerevan Hosts Armenian-Argentinean Business Forum

YEREVAN — First Armenian-Argentinean business forum took place in Yerevan today organized by Armenian Development Agency jointly with the Embassy of Argentina in Armenia, the Armenian Development Agency reports.

Opening remarks made by the Ambassador of Argentine Republic to the Republic of Armenia, Mr. Diego Alvarez Rivera, Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, Mr. Garegin Melkonyan, General Director of Armenian Development Agency, Mr. Robert Harutyunyan, Foreign Trade Secretary of Argentine Republic, Mrs. Beatriz Paglieri.

The Argentinean delegation was headed by Foreign Trade Secretary, Mrs. Beatriz Paglieri. About 25 companies represented different industrial sectors – pharmaceuticals/biotechnologies, health, specialized medical services, information technologies, food and beverages, industrial automation equipment, textile, cosmetics, tourism, metallurgy.

Secretary Paglieri stated that Armenia can become a transit zone for Argentina to spread its production from Europe to Russia underscoring: “There are certain limitations in Japan, the EU, and the United States for Argentina. In this respect it’s not so bad that Armenia does not join the EU. Armenia can become a transit arena for Argentina to spread its production from Europe to Russia.”

In the framework of business forum there were individual business meetings held between Armenian and Argentinean businessmen to find ways of cooperation.

The Buisness Forum will contribute to the promotion of trade and economic relations between two countries and will grant an opportunity for Armenian businessmen to present their business proposals.

The import volume from Argentina to Armenia made 7.5mln US dollars in 2012.

The main exporting articles from Armenia are alcohol-non alcohol beverages, vinegar, made-up textile articles, needlecraft sets, rags.

Main importing articles are tobacco and manufacturing tobacco substitutes, milling industry products, dairy, eggs, honey and edible products, meat and edible meat, edible fruits and nuts, peel of citrus, etc.

In 2012 the foreign direct investments made 567.4mln US dollars, where 9% of the share belongs to Argentine Republic. Foreign investments have been made mainly in agriculture, air transportation sectors which make 51.3mln US dollars.