Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan today attended the opening of Eurasian Week international exhibition in Yerevan.

Addressing the participants of the 3rd Eurasian Forum-Exhibition, Nikol Pashinyan stated, in part: “Armenia is at the stage of deep transformation of political and economic systems; an actual economic and political agenda is being shaped. In many respects, it is determined by the integration potential available in the EAEU. I think that the forum is a good platform for summarizing the interim results of the integration process, especially ahead of Armenia’s chairmanship in the EAEU Council. We have already started discussing the priorities to be set forth during Armenia’s chairmanship,” the Acting Prime Minister said.

Nikol Pashinyan noted that the forum will be an opportunity to address the barriers of concern to the business circles within the EAEU and develop practical means for elimination thereof.

“I am confident that the Eurasian Week will become the platform where contracts will be signed, joint projects will be discussed, and new business contacts will be established. It is gratifying that more than 300 Armenian companies are participating in the forum, ready for long-term cooperation with Eurasian partners,” Nikol Pashinyan said. The Acting Prime Minister underscored that Armenia has recorded steady growth in trade turnover and cooperation with EAEU-member countries.

In the period from January to July, 2018, the amount of goods exported from Armenia increased by 31.3% to USD 351.9 million as compared to the same period of 2017. It is a pleasure to note that the growth covers practically the markets of all member States, which speaks of developed commercial cooperation within the EAEU, and Armenia’s active participation in the integration process. This has already had a strong impact on economic activity, imports and exports,” he said.

The Acting Premier called the participants’ attention to a number of key issues, highlighting their detailed discussion at the forum.

“First: Earlier this year, the EAEU-member countries and Iran signed a provisional agreement as a first step on the way to forming a free trade zone. Armenia is the only country which has an inland border with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The common border and the Meghri Free Economic Zone at the border with Iran create additional incentives for developing trade and building economic ties. We are ready to become an active platform for establishing reliable trade and economic relations between Iran and the EAEU countries.

Second: We make a point of continued negotiations on free trade agreement with those countries interested in cooperation with EAEU countries. In this context, we stand ready to actively engage in EAEU-Egypt talks.

Third: The development of high-tech industries with a high added value is becoming an important issue as seen from the perspectives of national security and economic development. I would like to draw your attention to the debate on the development of high-tech industries within the forum, especially taking into account the global trends in technological change.

Armenia has built up significant potential in this field. There are about 400 enterprises operational in the high-tech industry, and we are keen to develop cooperation with EAEU partners in a bid to reach out to third-country markets.

Fourth: An open dialogue between businesses and regulators will play an important role in terms of furthering integration. I am confident that the main issues of concern to our business circles will be discussed during the regular meeting of the Advisory Board on Business Cooperation, due to be held on the sidelines of this forum.”

From the viewpoint of forming modern customs regulations, Nikol Pashinyan attached importance to the full implementation of the EAEU Customs Code.

“But we also need to address the modernization of existing customs infrastructure and create modern standards-compliant customs logistics and border infrastructure that will boost the growth of commodity turnover. It is crucial for Armenia, which does not have inland borders with other EAEU-member countries, while it boasts growth in exports toward EAEU markets through the Russian-Georgian border checkpoints, which is de facto the only transit way,” the Acting Prime Minister said and wished the conference effective proceedings in the hope that it would contribute to the furtherance of cooperation within the EAEU.

Nikol Pashinyan toured the exhibition pavilions to get acquainted with the exhibits, the activities of participating companies, their innovative potential and development programs.

The Eurasian Week international forum-exhibition is hosted by the Eurasian Economic Commission in cooperation with the RA Ministry of Economic Development and Investments and the Business Armenia Foundation. It focuses on the development of business ties between EAEU business circles and promoting trade relations with third countries. The forum is attended by about 2750 companies from EAEU and third countries. The exhibition features a broad range of products made in EAEU countries, relevant to agriculture, food processing, light industry, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, jewelry and other spheres.