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A group of Belgian businesspeople is in Yerevan to explore opportunities for expanding economic cooperation and developing business ties with Armenia. The visit was organized by the Belgium-Armenia Chamber of Commerce with the support of the Embassy of Belgium in Armenia, and the delegation is holding meetings with government officials and business representatives from various sectors.
Speaking at a press conference, Valéry Safarian, President of the Belgium-Armenia Chamber of Commerce, said that before coming to Yerevan, meetings were held in Belgium with local businesspeople to present Armenia’s economic developments, progress and investment opportunities.
“At these meetings, we emphasize steady economic growth, Armenia’s growing ties with the European Union, as well as the strong ties and commonalities between Armenia and Belgium. Today, the heads of 15 companies are in Armenia. Among them are businesspeople who have already been to Armenia and explored opportunities for cooperation. They represent the healthcare, logistics, construction and information technology sectors,” Safarian said.
Eric De Muynck, Ambassador of Belgium to Armenia, emphasized that Belgium attaches importance to economic cooperation with Armenia and organizes a business delegation visit every year to promote it.
“I can say that the circle of those interested in Armenia is expanding year by year, with more companies responding and the range of sectors becoming more diverse. As we know, Armenia is making active progress in a number of areas, with infrastructure in focus, reforms underway in healthcare, and active development in the technology and artificial intelligence sectors,” the ambassador said.
The delegation of businesspeople visiting Armenia includes the top management of Belgian company Ecosteryl, which specializes in innovative technologies for the treatment and recycling of medical waste. Olivier Dufrasne, President of Ecosteryl, said that the company is one of the leading companies in this field and is interested in cooperation with Armenia.
“Our technological solutions make it possible to process this waste in an environmentally friendly manner and avoid incineration. Our goal is to present our experience and technologies to companies engaged in this work, which, when applied, will make operations more efficient and less costly. On the other hand, we want to offer the hospital sector equipment that would allow waste to be processed within hospitals, without logistical costs,” Dufrasne said.
Philippe Leroy, CEO of Saint-Luc University Clinics in Belgium, said that their clinics specialize in genetic diseases, complex surgeries and transplants.
“I had the opportunity to visit local hospitals just recently, and the visits will continue. I can say that we are very impressed by the infrastructure of Armenian hospitals and the quality of doctors’ education. I am confident that we will definitely be able to establish cooperation, focusing on professional training and discussions of complex cases of diseases,” Leroy said.
Valéry Safarian added that plans are underway to establish a health center of excellence in Armenia.
The project will be financed mainly by Belgian businesspeople, with investment also coming from Armenians in the diaspora. The health center will be built in Arzni. It will operate as a resort-style facility where people can come for recreation and rehabilitative treatment.