Pashinyan invites Armenian entrepreneurs from Russia to invest money into Armenia’s economy

YEREVAN, July 27. /ARKA/. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan flew Thursday to Saint Petersburg and met with dozens of Armenian entrepreneurs from Russia’s north-western region, the premier’s press office reports.

He called on them to do business in Armenia.

“All the obstacles that existed before are already removed – there are no obstacles now,” he said. 
“Important is the following: the biggest of these obstacles was corruption. Although they say there is no corruption, as a whole, in Armenia now, but it still remains somewhere as residual effect. I assure you that the struggle against corruption is under way now, and it will continue.”

Pashinyan stressed that the government’s crackdown on corruption doesn’t mean any campaign against business people. 

“We guarantee security to investments,” he said. “Saying this, we mean not only that not a single governing agency will be able to wind up the investments, but also that nobody will dare to capture a part of your business. We rule out such phenomena.”

Pashinyan said only one demand is put to investors – business activities must be legal. 
According to the prime minister, the government is interested in creation of new jobs and increase in budget revenue. 

The Armenian premier remembered that Armenian communities abroad have been donating financial resources to Armenia since the 1980s. He expressed gratitude on behalf of Armenian people and added that it is necessary to do everything to invest money in the country’s economy. 

He said the Armenian authorities want to create favorable environment for entrepreneurship so they receive their profits benefiting also the people and the country.   

”We want you to earn money in Armenia, and our goal is to expand room for earning money by maximally wide, not a narrow circle of persons.”

Pashinyan stressed that entrepreneurship should be available to many, and this can be done right now.  
He singled out development of the information technology industry as the government’s top-priority objectives in economy. 

As another top priority, the premier pointed out agriculture. 

Addressing the entrepreneurs, he added that the government doesn’t offer someone to move their capital to Armenia. He urged entrepreneurs to replace charity with business in Armenia.  
Pashinyan expressed confidence in success.

“There will be no failure, there will be success after success,” he said. “Armenia has firm positions in foreign policy, and in domestic policy the government enjoys people’s absolute confidence, which we will justify. I guarantee that the Armenian prime minister is not involved and will never be involved in any corruption deal. We will ensure equal conditions to all, and your choice is to enjoy this or not.”

The prime minister spoke also on problems in the energy sector, effectiveness of loan programs, prices and the activity of gas-filling stations. -0---