Free trade zone for jewelers may start working in 2013

YEREVAN, October 29. / ARKA /. The Free Trade Area (FTA) in Armenia for production of jewelry can start working in 2013, Berge Abajian, the vice-president of the Armenian Jewelers Association (AJA), said today at the opening of a jewelry exhibition in Yerevan.

He said 80% of the relating work was done and now ‘we are looking for a place where we can begin the process of production. The Armenian government has okayed our initiative and we are moving forward. The zone may start operating in the near future," he said.

According to him, Armenian jewelers are among the best in the world, so there is a desire to bring them together in Armenia, and the creation of a free trade area will be an important aspect in the implementation of this idea.

In turn, the president of AJA, Gagik Gevorgyan, told reporters that each plant to be opened as part of FTA will employ from 30 to 50 people and pay each $400-$500 monthly wage.

"The number of plants will depends on the size of the area that the government is ready to give us," Gevorgyan said. He said partners from India are willing to come in a month to open their factories here.

The Armenian Jewelers Association (AJA) was established in 1997. It is one of the first international trade association in Armenia. AJA’s goal is to bring Armenian jewelers together to develop the country's jewelry industry. The Association has regional representatives on the west and east coasts of the U.S., Europe, the Middle East and in Armenia. -0-