Armenia-Diaspora relations move into strategic investments instead of charity framework

The Armenia-Diaspora relations have shifted into the framework of strategic investments and involvement of professional potential from the format of charity, PM Nikol Pashinyan said, referring to the Firebird and NVIDIA project in Armenia.

Speaking at the Cabinet meeting, the PM thanked the Diaspora-Armenian entrepreneurs involved in carrying out the major investment project.

“When we speak about the formulas of the Armenia-Diaspora relations, this is what we mean, concrete, targeted and strategic nature, which can’t have any doubts or questions about it,” Pashinyan said.

Minister of High-Tech Industry Mkhitar Hayrapetyan said such projects are the best format to guide the potential of the Diaspora to Armenia.

“If not for that potential’s involvement, frankly speaking for us implementing this project would have been unlikely, at least now,” he said.

High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan said that such initiatives are the best response to misconceptions that the Diaspora’s role is limited to charity.

“This is the right response to the questions on what the diaspora has done. It is about changing the relationship, from charity to investments, involvement of human resources in a real, continuous and profitable way,” he said.