Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan today held a consultation to discuss the ongoing construction and future activities of the Gyumri Foreign Economic Activity Center (FEAC).

SRC officials reported that the center will be fully operational in 2022: construction is underway; a tender has been announced for the second stage of construction. The center will operate under the one-stop-shop principle in order to organize the export-import process as smoothly as possible for businesses.

Services provided by other agencies exercising export-import functions will be available on the spot. As a result, economic entities will no longer have to waste time and money by visiting several standalone departments in order to get licenses and permits. The meeting explored the possibility of developing the FEAC based on best international practices.

Prime Minister Pashinyan stressed the importance of simplifying the applicable export-import procedures, providing favorable conditions for business, and reducing the time required to submit documents.

“We must do our utmost to create a business-friendly environment,” the Premier said, emphasizing that the decision to build a FEAC in Gyumri is of strategic importance.

The Prime Minister suggested holding follow-up discussions, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan, with a view to discussing the opportunities that might promote the center’s activities and create more favorable conditions for businesses.