President Sarkissian met with the heads of a number of agriculture, food production, processing and servicing companies: the best way would be to turn Armenia into an international trade center for agricultural produce and food

President Sarkissian met with the heads of a number of agriculture, food production, processing and servicing companies. Present at the meeting were the Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Armenian (AmCham) Ara Hovsepian, owner and Director General of the Yeremian Projects Ltd. David Yeremian, owner and Director General of Internet Projects Ltd. (Menu.am) Vahan Kerobian, Director General of Navasard Agro Ltd. Armine Melkonian, Director General of Golden Grape ArmAs Ltd. Victoria Aslanian, founding president of SIS Natural Armen Akopian, representative of the Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company Armenia Elina Margarian.

Noting that the situation is grave indeed, President Sarkissian said that often the most difficult situations create new opportunities. The President stressed the importance of joint efforts, a precise definition of the existing problems and necessity to find the most optimal solutions in a situation when a global economic decline makes it necessary to fix the problem of business and jobs. “The global economy has a number of areas which will be needing a recovery. In a middle- and long-term perspective, people need to pay more attention to the area of healthcare. It is natural that investments in that area will be bigger now. The area of your activity is very sensitive. You are the backbone of this country,” the President mentioned in his remarks. “Along with difficulties created by coronavirus, there will be huge economic problems, including in the area of food security. It’s a global trend. The world has changed our priorities, and if we are not able to adjust properly and in time, we will lag behind in many economic areas, such as IT, artificial intelligence, biology, and one of the vital areas – food security. Armenia has to think deeply and seriously about food security. One possible way to do it is the following: to reassess everything we have, rediscover new markets. It is very good, for instance, that we have our certain place at the Russian market but one market is not enough to maintain the balance. Food security is about a balanced production and trade of food. In our case, the best way would be to turn Armenia into an international trade center for agricultural produce and food. We have to export produce of the best quality because we will not be able to compete in quantity.

Competition should be directed more toward quality. It means that if it is Armenian apricot, it must be the best, Armenian brandy – the best, Armenian bottled water and everything else – the best…

There is no doubt that Armenia possesses great potential to produce agricultural products. We are saying that Armenia can become an IT country, but at the same time, it is apparent that Armenia can do much more in the food production area. One just need to go to our villages and see what part of the land is cultivated. One just need to go to Artsakh and see huge potential existing there which is still untapped. It would be nice if hills and beautiful valleys become not mining sites but remain pastures. Mining is not feasible and harms the nature. If Armenia, for instance, could export one million sheep annually, it would a great income. There is a huge market right next to us – from Iran to the Gulf countries. My conclusion is the following: it will be difficult, and the state has to play its role. I would suggest that if you want to use the institute of presidency, use it as your representative or ambassador. I believe, we have a market in the Gulf countries, and as it comes, the leaders of these states are my old and good friends.

Use the institute of presidency for your and the state’s benefit. Try to use the institute’s small by valuable capabilities. I would be glad to cooperate with you in some way to create together positive changes.”

The entrepreneurs spoke of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the area of their activity and mentioned development trends. At the proposal of the President of Armenia, they also spoke of the problems they face in the course of their work at this time and possible risks. They referred also to the efficient use of land, new export markets, as well as tax incentives, preservation of jobs, and other issues.