The Diaspora has to see that the homeland is expecting investments, not charities. This is what RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan said during a conference organized by the UNICEF, the Delegation of the European Union, the RA Ministry of Diaspora and Mission East, emphasizing the fact that if Diaspora Armenians gain profits in the homeland, the homeland will gain profits as well.

During a press conference, Hranush Hakobyan mentioned that the conference would provide the opportunity to master the experiences of different countries, strengthen Armenia-Diaspora relations and use the ideas that still don’t lie at the core of Armenia’s state policy.

“Today, there are 16-17,000 Diaspora Armenians in Armenia who already have successful businesses in the homeland. We are helping small and medium businesses grow, and we have already granted 1.5 mln dollars in loans at a 4 percent interest rate. It is a pleasure to see that our compatriots can settle and grow, especially in the spheres of service and the food industry,” the minister said, reports panorama.am.

“The money transfers from the Diaspora are often used for consumption, and there is no material investment. The fact that these investments, which make up 20 percent of Armenia’s GDP, have contributed to the country’s socio-economic development and to the creation of jobs is remarkable,” said Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia Pyotr Svitalsky, who was attending the conference.

Director of Ireland’s Diaspora Matters Ltd Kingsley Aikins presented Ireland’s partnership format for Diaspora engagement, which allows Ireland to use the potential of the Diaspora for the growth of businesses, the creation of jobs, local development and more.

The purpose of the conference was to discuss the innovative approaches to Diaspora engagement and to use the potential of the Diaspora and migrants for social development in Armenia. The conference gathered over 70 representatives of organizations involved with management and solving Diaspora-related issues.