President Armen Sarkissian, who is in Switzerland on a working visit, made a statement at the Global Leaders’ Summit held in the framework of the Forum.
The President of Armenia in his statement noted in particular that our country for centuries has been at the crossroads of civilizations, religions, interests and trade and has had an important role in the cooperation of the nations.
Speaking about the prospects of Armenia’s economic development and investment opportunities, President Sarkissian noted that years ago, the fourth industrial or digital revolution took place in Armenia, and today one can state definitely that Armenia has the best IT sector on the territory of the former Soviet Union.
A number of major companies from the Silicon Valley and Europe have their representatives in Armenia.
Next, in his remarks he spoke about attracting investments:
“Why should someone think about investing in a country like Armenia, a small country of only 3,5 million people? I would like to remind that the reality is that it’s a small state but a global nation. There are 4-5 times more Armenians living abroad. There are as many Armenians living in Russia as in Armenia. There are as many Armenians living in our capital city as in Los Angeles, or in France, or in the Middle East. So there is huge population, it’s a small state but a global nation which in the 21st century is a great advantage. In the 21st century, when the world is becoming smaller and smaller, interconnected and interactive, having a global network, which not many states and nations of the world have, is an advantage.
The second is that we are a state that has very good relations – cultural, economic, political, and we signed in November 2017 the Agreement with the European Union. At the same time, Armenia is a part of the Eurasian Economic Union. Factually, Armenia is the only state that economically bridges Eurasia and Europe. And we would like to continue in the same way.
The third factor is the one I’ve mentioned already: We are a global nation. And that global nation in the 21st century is fully involved with the country, involved in a way that even during the revolution, which was not a revolution of the classical style – with political party, organization, demonstration – it was something of the 21st century.
Participants were not only the citizens of RA, but also Armenians who live in Argentine, France, United Kingdom, Beirut and Madrid. The whole Armenian nation, which makes around 12-15 million, was engaged in the process of political change. That same people can and will be engaged in the industrial revolution and Armenia’s economic development.
The fourth reason that I would like to emphasize is the importance of education. It was known during the Soviet era that Armenia had a very high level of education. It’s not an accident that along with very good universities, along with research centers for physics, chemistry, and biology, in Armenia, in Burakan there is a world-famous center of astrophysics. That tradition continues now, and we are proud to say that we have fantastic educational centers in Armenia and even export new educational ideas and topics to the West. Just a couple of weeks ago, in Paris the TUMO center was opened which provides extra-school and digital education. This is the avant-garde of the 21st century, the way you teach children to become IT experts. Education matters.
And then, of course, stability of the economy. Last year, Armenia showed around 7.5 percent of growth. We had a revolution this year, but we are going to show more or less the same result. So, nothing changed. There was a big political change but the economy has remained stable.
Armenia has probably the best financial and banking sector on the territory of the former Soviet Union. There are European, Lebanese, Cypriot, Greek, Iranian banks; international banking system which is again very stable.
Armenia is economically and financially stable country. When you look at the sectors – mining, agriculture, or tourism, the new government is looking for sustainable and clean mining, natural agriculture. We are striving to increase the number of tourists for several times.
To conclude and to present the Armenia of the 21st century, I need to say that our country is not only new, has a new government, and leadership, and ideas but is also new in its spirit. I would call this not only the Velvet Revolution but the Armenian style revolution. As for its development, I will call it the Young Armenia, young not for its years or age but for its young spirit which means also participation in the industrial revolution.”
At the conclusion of this speech, the President invited to make investments in the New Armenia, the Armenia of the 21st century.