Armenia is waiting for the President of France

ArmInfo.It is necessary to conduct serious work on using the existing potential for bringing the Armenian-French trade and economic ties to the level of political dialogue. This was stated by  the Minister of Economic Development and Investments of the Republic of Armenia Suren Karayan on  the day before the acceptance of   French Ambassador to Armenia Jonathan Lacote.

According to the press service of the Ministry, during the meeting  Jonathan Lacote expressed the conviction that in order to activate. 

Armenian-French relations, including economic cooperation, the  agreement on a comprehensive and expanded partnership between Armenia  and the European Union concluded on November 28 in Brussels is  essential. In addition, according to the Ambassador, the chairmanship  of Armenia in the Council of Ministers of the countries of  Francophone plays an important role in this process. In this context,  the diplomat stressed the importance of the expected visit to Armenia  of French President Emmanuel Macron.  According to Jonathan Lakota,  the French business represented in Armenia intends to expand its  presence in the Armenian market. Ambassador added that he managed to  meet with a number of investors, and can already assure the Armenian  side that the French want to invest in the Armenian economy, meaning  the export opportunities of the republic to the markets of the EU  countries and Iran.

The minister informed the French diplomat about the imminent opening  of the free economic zone "Meghri", which could open new  opportunities for the French business. Suren Karayan agreed that a  new agreement with the EU would have a serious impact on trade and  economic cooperation between the two states. According to the  minister, the document inspires confidence in European, and in  particular in French entrepreneurs, about the possibility of  deploying their activities in Armenia, taking into account also those  reforms that are implemented and implemented within the framework of  the new agreement with the EU.  "We are ready to be close to the  French business, to assist it, and to direct all efforts to ensure a  favorable investment environment and conditions that are necessary  for French entrepreneurs to implement their projects in Armenia,"  Suren Karayan said.

Note that according to the National Statistical Service of Armenia,  the foreign trade turnover between Armenia and France in  January-October 2017 amounted to $ 59.2 million, an increase of 37.2%  year-on- year. In particular, exports increased by 24.9% to $ 3.4  million, with imports increasing by 38% to $ 55.8 million.