5 tons of cheese to be exported to Russia by “Armenian Cheese” brand

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 8, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Development Agency has implemented in 2010 a number of programs and events promoting the country’s development, Director General of the agency Robert Harutyunyan told Armenpress.

-Mr. Harutyunyan, what achievements did you register last year and what kind of programs were indicated, which have been implemented partially?

-We have registered quite interesting developments in 2010 and successfully finished some programs which we intended to implement. Of course, there were certain issues, which we wished would find solutions, but it did not take place for this or that reason. In particular, we registered success in exporting cheese with a joint brand of “Armenian Cheese”. An agreement of export of 120 tons of cheese was signed with Russia and an initial order of cheese of 60-70 tons – with the United States.

But taking into consideration both the rise of the price of cheese and the peculiarities of 2010, we decided to implement the export in 2011 not to create additional tension in the market. We will export 5 tons of cheese by the end of February, which will give an opportunity to understand how the whole chain works – beginning from production to consumption, to understand where we have flaws and problems to avoid them in future. Afterward, in September-October we will be able to fulfill the commitments we have assumed in front of our partners.

-What kind of successes did you register related to getting a clear magnesium?

-Last year we implemented a number of innovative programs, among which the program on getting clear magnesium is noteworthy. We formed its package completely. It was approved by the working team on efficiency assessment of investment programs on development of economy. Currently the opportunity of funding of the program is under discussion with the support of the National Center for Development of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises.

The construction of the factory of sapphire procession in Armenia was a big achievement as well: we have received the first funding in the amount of 150 thousand USD. This proves that the sphere of high technologies in Armenia has a perspective and already gives concrete results.

We also attach high importance to the unprecedented success at “Shanghai Expo 2010”, when Armenia’s virtual pavilion deserved a silver medal for technical solutions.

-What programs have been implemented in the direction of export and in what directions?

-Large-scale works have been implemented in that regard, too. In particular, an agreement of 2 million USD has been signed with the USA related to export of conserves, and 30 thousand USD for fish breeding and 400-500 thousand USD – for export of stones and other construction materials. We will continue the works in this direction this year too, enlarging the export volumes.