Newly appointed Deputy Economy Minister is Erasmus University Rotterdam graduate

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has appointed Aram Khachatryan as Deputy Minister of Economy of Armenia. The Prime Minister’s decision was published on the Armenian government’s e-gov.am website.

Aram Khachatryan studied at Erasmus University Rotterdam and was appointed Deputy Minister of Economy following the Prime Minister’s announcement that individuals who had studied at the world’s top 200 universities and had joined the Armenian government’s talent pool would be appointed to senior positions.

Aram Khachatryan’s biography is presented below.

Date and place of birth

October 6, 1985, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia

Education

2002–2006 — Bachelor’s degree in Law | Yerevan State University

2009–2011 — Master of Laws (LL.M.) | American University of ArmeniaMain areas of study: tax law, European law, intellectual property law and public international law

2015–2016 — Postgraduate Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Arbitration and Business Law | Erasmus University Rotterdam, NetherlandsNFP MA scholarship recipient. Main areas of study: international corporate and business law, contract drafting, commercial arbitration and international dispute resolution

Professional experience

Since August 13, 2026 — Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Armenia

September 2012 – August 2026 — Chief Legal Counsel | Enterprise Incubator Foundation

Led the legal support for technology and engineering sector development programmes involving government bodies, international organisations, donors and private partners.Advised start-ups, SMEs and project teams on corporate structure, contracts, regulatory requirements, risk management and access to international markets.Participated in drafting legislation, government decisions, policy documents and institutional governance processes related to the IT and business sectors.Drafted and negotiated cooperation, grant, service, consultancy and commercial agreements supporting investment, innovation and ecosystem development programmes.Since 2022, has served as the Enterprise Incubator Foundation’s representative and board member on the SME Development Council.

February 2010 – August 2026 (concurrently) — Lawyer / Legal Consultant

Advised Armenian companies and entrepreneurs on corporate, commercial, contractual and dispute resolution matters.Assisted technology and engineering companies with market entry, operating models, commercial partnerships and regulatory compliance.Provided legal and corporate structuring support for sector development initiatives.Represented clients before courts, administrative authorities and arbitral tribunals, and conducted negotiations and handled complex commercial cases.

February 2011 – September 2012 — Legal Counsel | Cascade Insurance / INGO Armenia CJSC

Provided advice on contracts, insurance regulation, claims, disputes and legal risks, and represented the company before government bodies and courts.

September 2008 – February 2011 — Specialist, Litigation Division of the Legal Department | State Committee of the Real Estate Cadastre of the Republic of Armenia

Coordinated the representation of the Committee’s interests in administrative and civil cases before courts and represented the Cadastre in court proceedings.

Professional memberships and teaching

Arbitration — Co-founder and board member of the Association of Arbitrators of the Republic of Armenia; President since 2023

Professional status — Member of the Chamber of Advocates of the Republic of Armenia since 2010; advocate licence No. 1033

Teaching and publications — Lecturer at the Annual Arbitration Summer School since 2022; author of publications related to arbitration

Personal information

MarriedHas three children

Additional information

Languages: Russian and English

Digital skills: Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, AI tools

2006–2008 — Compulsory military service in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia

A professional with more than 15 years of experience in private law, with expertise in economic regulation, development of the technology and engineering sectors, corporate governance, investment programmes and public-private cooperation. He has experience supporting SMEs and start-ups, improving the regulatory environment, negotiating complex partnerships and translating policy objectives into practical solutions.

On June 13, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan invited graduates of the world’s top 200 universities to join the Armenian government’s talent pool.

On August 4, Pashinyan said 1,141 applications had already been received and that, following their review and preliminary selection, 459 candidates, or around 40% of applicants, had advanced to the second stage.

The Prime Minister also said that a decision had been made to appoint a group of applicants to senior positions and that the decisions would soon be implemented de jure.