Armen Sarkissian: This is the best time to make also the economic revolution

President Armen Sarkissian and Acting Prime Minister Nicol Pashinian participated today at the meeting titled “Business Environment and Investments: Challenges and Solution.” The meeting was attended by many entrepreneurs who work in different areas of the economy.

The President made a statement and said in particular:

“Distinguished Mr. Prime Minister,

Esteemed Colleagues, Ministers,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We have gathered today to discuss two topics: One of them is entrepreneurship, the other is philanthropy. These two are tied closely. It’s hard to imagine a person, who is successful in any area, would have no desire or chance to become also a philanthropist.

I would like to note that today is a special day. And not because we have gathered to speak about philanthropy or entrepreneurship but first and foremost because today is international Children’s Day. I believe this is very important because if we look a little deeper, we will see that the source and the basis of these two notions is the same – children, the very idea of children, our legacy, our next generation. Children are also our family, our Fatherland and our future. I don’t believe that anyone is doing business or charity just for himself or herself. After all, they do it for his or her family, for the country and the wellbeing of the entire nation.

Thus, I would like to once again congratulate you and wish that in your families, as well as everywhere in Armenia and Artsakh, children live a good life, get splendid, the best possible education and stand ready to assist, to bring their contribution, and, if necessary, to defend our homeland.

Speaking of entrepreneurship, I am confident that Mr. Prime Minister in his speech will reflect on the activities of the government, future programs, and the vision. Thus, I would like to take this opportunity to talk with you about my observations of recent months. Particularly, about the way our country is perceived abroad, Armenia’s image, and reputation.

In recent months, I have had the opportunity to hold meetings at the US, Switzerland, France, Great Britain, and Italy not only with political figures, analysts, but also with a wide spectrum of businessmen. They represent a broad sector of large companies ranging from food and agricultural production, such as French Danone, Nestle to Italian Inalca. I have had also meetings with construction companies, such as the Italian National Contractors Association, French companies, and big banks. However, in the center of my attention was the area of new technologies and electronics. No doubt, Armenia has to have an evenly developed economy, every area of which must be developed, however the driving force, which will push as forward in the 21st century and make us one of the best, most advanced countries of the world, is the area of new technologies.

I would like to convey what I have received from them. I would like to convey that the attitude towards Armenia, Armenia’s and our people’s image is very positive. These are not words of commendation; this is the truth which you should know also from the business point of view.

I will try to make some points which might seem textbook cases, nice and clear but essential nevertheless.

First and foremost, let’s recall the past several years. For the Armenians living abroad and foreigners, Armenia in recent years has been mentioned on a number of occasions. One them was the centennial of Mets Eghern. Willingly or unwillingly, the 100th anniversary was commemorated all over the world – from Yerevan to Moscow, Vatican and Rome, Washington to London on the highest possible level, and changed dramatically the attitude towards our people and history, towards the image and standing of our people. Once again, we stood before the world as a nation which has principles. A strong nation, which some tried to annihilate, but which is standing strong on its feet.

No doubt that the events of last April have elevated Armenia to the highest possible level. In a volatile world, processes which take place in the humane, nice way, become valuable. Today, Armenia is in a sense a unique country where a huge, historic change has taken place but in a very simple and humane way. We are unique in a certain way because we say, look, in this troubled world there is a place where a revolution was conducted in a decent way. It means that at the highest level of business circles there is understanding that Armenia is different, special, thus the attitude towards Armenia is different too.

I certainly should note the excellent Summit of Francophonie held in Armenia. Armenian diplomats should be commended for their work of recent years and their success, and of course, the government for the excellent organizational work. Yesterday, I signed a decree on awarding a group of people for the excellent organization of the Summit of Francophonie.
We are a special country, and today people have special interest towards Armenia.
The very fact that nowadays Armenia has declared and carries out a fight against corruption does not go unnoticed in the world, be it in the United States, or in Russia, or in Europe. This is an extremely positive phenomenon. It refers to the fight against corruption in general and particularly to the steps taken in the judicial and legal systems which we want to lead to the courts we dream of. Business cannot develop and there can be no investments if people don’t trust the court. You could have noticed that the countries, which have the largest investment volumes, are the countries which have the best judicial systems. Why the British, Swiss or Singaporean laws are well-known in today’s world? Because people trust the courts. The court being the last place, of course, where businesses should go. Before getting to the court, they need to come to an agreement but if one doesn’t trust the court, it becomes very difficult.
I would want Armenia to have a totally different judicial system, arbitration court, which would mean a dialogue, another element for negotiations. We, unfortunately, have no arbitration culture.

Another classical element is banking and financial systems combined. I miss no opportunity to note the fact that though a revolution took place in Armenia, the national currency and the banking systems stayed intact. This is a huge advantage in the opinion of the people, and means that Armenia has a stable economic system. And if the national currency and banking system in Armenia remain stable through the dramatic changes, Armenia can be trusted.

And finally, I would like to talk about the Armenian’s personality and once again I would like to address my words of gratitude to our compatriots, particularly to those, who live in Spyurk, from Russia to Lebanon, from Argentine to the United States. Through the decades, the image of the Armenian businessman was formed and that is an image of a decent man and a diligent worker. It’s a great asset in making our country and business attractive. Everything should be done to maintain that image. I express deep gratitude not only to the entrepreneurs in Armenia and Artsakh but also to all businessmen in Spyurk because they created the image of a hardworking and honest nation.

A couple of words about philanthropy: You know about the traditional telemarathon of the All-Armenian Hayastan Fund. The Fund was created at the beginning of 1990s through the efforts of the first president of the Republic L. Ter-Petrossian and has been active ever since. Traditionally, the president of Armenia is the chairman of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, and now I am holding that position.

At the first meeting with the Prime Minister last May, during the annual gathering, a very concrete task was set before the executive board – the fund created at the end of the 20th century should reform and become a 21st century fund. The times have changed, entrepreneurs and philanthropists are not the same, they are younger. Our Armenian charity structure is important, it has a history, thousands of Armenians abroad trust that organization. Certainly, it had its problems, you know, related to the executive director, however the time has proved that it is a healthy structure.

Competition to fill the vacancy of the executive director was announced, and nearly 40 individuals from Armenia and oversees applied. It means that people have trust. I believe the best by all standards executive director was chosen.

Certainly, a charity organization is like a doctor or a bank. You must have trust. If you don’t trust your doctor, will you go? If you don’t trust you bank, will you trust them your money? If you don’t trust that a charity organization is crystal honest, will you make a donation? The structure and the management were tasked to form a new approach towards the future of the organization.

2018 marked not only the centennial of our First Republic, not only the 2800th anniversary of Yerevan, and not only the April Revolution. It also marks the 30th anniversary of the earthquake in Spitak. People, who were born 30 years ago, will not remember that day. I remember: on that day at the Armenian Academy of Sciences, at the computer center we were talking with professor Shukurian, when the building shuddered. Later, we went together with students to help get people out of debris. I would like to recall some figures: 25,000 people perished according to the official data but until now the people believe the numbers were much higher, that the Soviet authorities distorted the data. In one day more people died than during the Artsakh war. Forty to fifty thousand people were rescued from debris - it’s almost the same number as the current population of Gyumri. Half a million people were left homeless.
I would like to remind that our fellow citizens in Spitak, Vanadzor, Gyumry have been very patient, with the understanding that we have other serious problems to solve and haven’t imposed themselves on us.

Much has been done. Construction has been done in Gyumri by different individuals; we should not forget the great contribution of Kirk Kerkorian, government programs, however when you travel to Gyumri, the pain is still there.

Philanthropy and entrepreneurship can get linked to each other. Gyumri is our historical town. Yerevan is 2800 years old but try to find 3 streets which are 100 years old. There are none in Yerevan, but there are such streets in Gyumri. That town has the image. People there are special, culture there is special, it’s a town of arts and theater. It’s a beautiful town if we are able to restore it.

It is regrettable that last year 30,000 people visited Gyumri, and 18,000 visited Artsakh. Considering that part of the visitors to Artsakh are parents who were visiting their sons serving in the army, the number of visitors diminishes. Twenty thousand visitors out of 30,000 visitors of Gyumri came to see their families, while over a million people visited Georgia last year.

Patriotism is not only about defending homeland’s borders. Patriotism is also visiting with children Gyumri on weekends.

My appeal is the following: Spend your weekends with families in Vanadzor, Spitak, Ijevan, Lori, Gavar, Artsakh, wherever you want.

When Gyumri will have not 30,000 but 300, 000 visitors, it will become a totally different town. Hotels and restaurants will multiply.

I urge you to assist the Fund and spend weekends out of Yerevan.

I urge you, as entrepreneurs, first of all be confident that today our country’s image in the world is very positive. And if Armenia is to be used as a getaway to the Eurasian area and the Middle East, for the foreign companies you are the locomotive.

Trust me, this is the best time for us, Armenians, to make another revolution and it should be the economic revolution.”