YEREVAN, APRIL 28, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan hosted Michel Pharaon, Lebanon’s State Minister for Planning Affairs.

The PM expressed hope that Michel Pharaon’s visit to Armenia will boost the deeply rooted Armenian-Lebanese relations, development of business ties and increase of commercial turnover.

The PM mentioned that currently 211 companies with Lebanese capital operate in Armenia and expresses conviction that a great potential of economic partnership exists, Armenia can be interesting for Lebanon from the perspective of not only its market, but also entry to the EEU and the Iranian markets.

From this point of view, the PM touched upon the advantages of the EEU market and the opportunities of the FEZ on the Iranian border.

According to Karen Karapetyan, the cooperation branches of Armenia and Lebanon can be numerous – healthcare, pharmaceuticals, mining, renewable energy, infrastructures etc.

The PM highlighted the active operation of the Armenian-Lebanese intergovernmental committee in terms of diversifying and enhancing bilateral cooperation.

The PM also asked to convey his warm regards to Lebanon’s PM Saad Hariri.

Michel Pharaon also highlighted boosting of economic ties between the two countries and said he is impressed with the improvement of Armenia’s business environment and the government’s steps on providing favorable conditions for foreign investors.

Michel Pharaon emphasized he will present the abovementioned to Lebanon’s business sector, which is interested in entering the EEU and Iran markets through Armenia.

He said the issue of implementing two investment projects in Armenia with Lebanese capital is already under discussion with Armenian partners, which are aimed at the healthcare sector and founding of a household items’ production plant.

The PM said the government is not only interested in Lebanese capital, but also in the entry of business culture to Armenia.