YEREVAN, OCTOBER 29, ARMENPRESS: “Meridian” Jewelry Free Economic Zone officially opened its doors during “Yerevan Show 2014” jewelry expo. The infrastructure, which is singled out by its sizes and the implemented large-scale work, is ready to host the first residents. Armenpress has interviewed Director of “Meridian” holding, Project Coordinator Nika Manukova.

-After a year of preliminary works, “Meridian” free trade zone eventually opened. What kind of development prospects do you have?

-The development of free economic zones is merely a tool for the economic development. We have tried to create in Armenia a free economic zone of jewelry, which will allow us to promote jewelry development within the jewelry export policy. The jewelry free economic zone has already launched and we are ready to admit bids. We intend to carry out extensive works not only with famous brands, but jewelers and watchmakers all over the world as well. The newly opened exhibition hall is one of the tools enabling us to inform the entire community about a territory like this and the opportunities.

-Have you managed to reach agreements with potential residents during these days?

-Frankly speaking, we have carried out large-scale works and reached agreements with many organizations before opening of the free economic zone. Whether they are succeeded or not, the bids sent to the government by the end of the year will show. We intend that next year by this time there will be 20-25 organizations in the economic zone, which will create up to 80 working places.

-Let’s sum up “Yerevan Show 2014”.

-We have still many works to fulfill, but we are very impressed, because we had many high-ranking guests and all the events were grandly organized.