ARMENIAN AND TURKISH BUSINESSMEN MEET IN YEREVAN

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Yerevan, Armenia – Within the framework of the Support to Armenia-Turkey Rapprochement Program, the Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen (Employers) of Armenia /UMB(E)A/ hosted a meeting of Armenian and Turkish entrepreneurs at Hrazdan Hotel on July 22.

Over 30 businessmen from Turkey, mostly from Van, attended the event with their Armenian counterparts. The Turkish businessmen work in the tourism, transportation, light manufacturing industry, construction, furniture making, jewelry making and commerce. The Armenian and Turkish participants had an opportunity to network and discuss prospects for cooperation. The guest speakers, including Arsen Ghazaryan, President of UMB(E)A, and Abdullah Tunçdemir, Director of Van branch of TÜRSAB Association of Turkish Travel Agencies, talked about the current state of affairs and perspectives in business relations between Armenia and Turkey.

Participants from both countries reiterated their willingness and commitment to promote cross-border business and trade, albeit in the conditions of no diplomatic relations between the two neighboring states. Arsen Ghazaryan noted that the Program will help explore perspectives of partnerships in different areas, such as tourism, textile industry, information technologies, agriculture, construction materials, as well as the possibility of establishment of joint ventures.

Following the opening session, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed on the establishment of the Association of Armenian and Turkish Tourism Companies. The main goals of the Association will be to coordinate tourism activities of its Armenian and Turkish members, assist in resolving tourism-related issues, and enhance bilateral and international tourism between Armenia and Turkey. The Alliance will be open to all Turkish and Armenian tourism companies that are interested in developing cross-border tourism.

The Support to Armenia-Turkey Rapprochement program is supported by USAID and is implemented by a consortium, including the Eurasia Partnership Foundation, Yerevan Press Club, the International Center of Human Development and the Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia. USAID and its partners support Armenia-Turkey rapprochement by facilitating engagement between civil society groups, establishment and development of business partnerships and regional professional networks, and enhanced understanding between the people, for peace and economic integration in the region.

Presentation on perspectives of cooperation in textile industry: