Armenian president intends to expand economic cooperation with Germany
10.03.2016,
13:04
Serzh Sargsyan, Armenian president, at his meeting with Ashot Smbatyan, Armenian ambassador to Germany, outlined top-priority focuses of cooperation between the two countries, putting special emphasis on economic ties, the presidential press office reported on Wednesday.
YEREVAN, March 10. /ARKA/. Serzh Sargsyan, Armenian president, at his meeting with Ashot Smbatyan, Armenian ambassador to Germany, outlined top-priority focuses of cooperation between the two countries, putting special emphasis on economic ties, the presidential press office reported on Wednesday.
He stressed the importance of introduction of German technologies in Armenia’s industry. It is very important to us to have our enterprises fully furnished with German equipment.
Sargsyan pointed out provision of equipment on leasing to Armenian business people at preferential conditions as very important but underdeveloped segment.
A preliminary agreement has already been achieved on the matter, but there is still plenty to do.
Sargsyan also thinks that Armenia’s membership in the Eurasian Economic Union gives new opportunities to the country for attracting European investors.
He said there were a few such companies in Armenia and expressed hope for a greater number.
The president also voiced his intention to visit Germany soon.
“Although significant progress is seen in political relation between our countries, I am first of all interested in economic cooperation,” he said.
He said that Germany is an important trade partner to Armenia – in last five or six years, trade between the two countries was fluctuating between $350 and 450 million. Several dozens of companies with German capital operate in Armenia now, and they have made their contribution to our country’s development.
“Germany is the second biggest donor to Armenia after the United States,” Sargsyan said. “This country has provided hundreds of millions of dollars to Armenia as technical assistance, and this cooperation should be continued.”
He stressed the importance of the two decades of Armenia’s cooperation with Germany’s KfW Bank, which has resulted in construction of hydro power plants and Armenia-Georgia electric power line as well as in implementation of other projects.
Ashot Smbatyan, on his side, said that companies with activities based on outsourcing started appearing in Germany. It means they will run their activities in other countries.
“New opportunities are emerging particularly in IT industry,” he said. “Negotiations with Germany’s Siemens, SAP and Lufthansa have already been conducted to attract their interest to Armenia as potential market.” --0---
He stressed the importance of introduction of German technologies in Armenia’s industry. It is very important to us to have our enterprises fully furnished with German equipment.
Sargsyan pointed out provision of equipment on leasing to Armenian business people at preferential conditions as very important but underdeveloped segment.
A preliminary agreement has already been achieved on the matter, but there is still plenty to do.
Sargsyan also thinks that Armenia’s membership in the Eurasian Economic Union gives new opportunities to the country for attracting European investors.
He said there were a few such companies in Armenia and expressed hope for a greater number.
The president also voiced his intention to visit Germany soon.
“Although significant progress is seen in political relation between our countries, I am first of all interested in economic cooperation,” he said.
He said that Germany is an important trade partner to Armenia – in last five or six years, trade between the two countries was fluctuating between $350 and 450 million. Several dozens of companies with German capital operate in Armenia now, and they have made their contribution to our country’s development.
“Germany is the second biggest donor to Armenia after the United States,” Sargsyan said. “This country has provided hundreds of millions of dollars to Armenia as technical assistance, and this cooperation should be continued.”
He stressed the importance of the two decades of Armenia’s cooperation with Germany’s KfW Bank, which has resulted in construction of hydro power plants and Armenia-Georgia electric power line as well as in implementation of other projects.
Ashot Smbatyan, on his side, said that companies with activities based on outsourcing started appearing in Germany. It means they will run their activities in other countries.
“New opportunities are emerging particularly in IT industry,” he said. “Negotiations with Germany’s Siemens, SAP and Lufthansa have already been conducted to attract their interest to Armenia as potential market.” --0---
