Armenian premier discusses future of national competitiveness fund with ethnic Armenian lord

YEREVAN, October 31. /ARKA/. Armenian Premier Tigran Sargsyan discussed development prospects for the country’s National Competitiveness Fund with British professor of Armenian origin, ex-Minister of Health of Great Britain, member of the House of Lords and member of Board of Trustees of the Fund Ara Darzi.

Lord Darzi took part in the opening of Armenian Center of Excellence for oncology in Yerevan.

“We are happy that you are cooperating with the National Competitiveness Fund, which was created based on government-private sector cooperation principle, and which is trying not only to enhance competitiveness of the Republic of Armenia, but also to build up the potential of the Armenian people in general”, the Premier said in welcoming Lord Darzi.

Sargsyan mentioned that the first (long-term) goal is educational reforms, the second (mid-term) goal is healthcare and the third (short-term) one is tourism.

The Premier also pointed out that from now and on the Fund will aim at attracting transnational corporations into Armenia and promoting small and medium enterprises.

Lord Darzi, in his turn, stressed that it is an honor for him to be a member of Board of Trustees of the Fund. Darzi agreed with the Premier’s vision and expressed his readiness to support.

Sargsyan and Darzi exchanged views on the Fund’s mission and projects and discussed Armenian healthcare reforms.

Darzi presented world’s healthcare experience to the Premier and informed him about the cooperation prospects discussed with Armenian Minister of Health Derenik Dumanyan Tuesday.

Ara Darzi is Professor of Surgery at the Empire College. He was born in an Armenian family in Iraq; he studied in Ireland, and then moved to London.

Darzi is among most titled surgeons in the world, he is famous for his elaborations in endoscopic and robot-assisted surgery. Darzi is the President of the Institute for Global Health Innovation at the Empire College and British Ambassador for Health and Life Sciences.–0-