South African countries interested in investing in Armenia: Robert Harutyunyan

YEREVAN, JUNE 19, ARMENPRESS. The progress Armenia has recorded in the reports issued by international assessment organizations, attracts the attention of investors to make new investments in the country's economy. "Armenpress" introduces an interview with the Director General of the Armenian Development Agency Robert Harutyunyan regarding the perspective spheres in Armenia, interested countries, development of export and steps aimed at raising Armenia's reputation as a country with favorable business environment.

- What measures does the Armenian Development Agency take to attract new investors in Armenia's economy? Which spheres have appeared in the centre of the investors' attention?

- Taking into consideration the primary branches chosen for Armenia's development, the Investment Department's Staff of the Armenian Development Agency initiates targeted research of major foreign companies' strategies and prepares investment offers for the companies we chose. The offers introduce the privileges of our country, business environment, and business opportunities as well, which may interest the given companies. The Armenian Development Agency directly gets in touch with the foreign companies or establishes connection by engaging Armenian Embassies in this procedure. Also we get in touch with foreign companies via the representatives of the Armenian Development Agency or international structures.

- Which are the most perspective spheres in Armenia in respect of investing?

- From the viewpoint of making investments IT, exact mechanical engineering, higher technologies sphere, alternative energy, pharmaceutics, biotechnologies, jewelry, food recycling, drinks' production, and agriculture are considered to be perspective spheres in Armenia.

- What new countries are interested in Armenia?

- Among the new countries we can mention the South African countries, which have become interested at the course of "AIM 2013" annual investment exhibition dedicated to Armenia, which was held in the United Arab Emirates. Recently the cooperation with the German companies has also been activated due to the establishment of the German Companies Association in Armenia. Notwithstanding, the development of economic ties with the Italian companies also was of a certain importance for the 2012 agenda of the Armenian Development Agency. (THE FULL VERSION OF THE INTERVIEW IS AVAILABLE IN ARMENIAN)

Interview by Ani Nazaryan