On July 15, the Union of Young Employers of Armenia launched the first Pan-Armenian Forum of Young Businessmen at AniPlaza Hotel with the support of the RA Ministry of Diaspora and the RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The forum has gathered nearly 80 young businessmen, of which 30 are Diaspora Armenian businessmen from the United States of America, Russia, France, Lithuania, Ukraine, Turkey, Iran, Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

Among the participants of the forum were RA Deputy Prime Minister Vache Gabrielyan, Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Robert Harutyunyan, Deputy Minister of Economy Emil Tarasyan and President of the Union of Young Employers of Armenia Mushegh Avetisyan.

In his welcoming remarks, RA Deputy Prime Minister Vache Gabrielyan emphasized the need for the strengthening and development of business relations between Armenia and the Diaspora and stated that this forum provided a wide opportunity to consolidate young Diaspora Armenian businessmen in Armenia, creating a platform for them to express themselves in the Republic of Armenia and discover new ideas for business. Gabrielyan also voiced hope that those ideas would be successfully implemented in Armenia and abroad in the years to come.

In her speech, Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan attached importance to the forum aimed at consolidating the potential of young Armenian businessmen and stated the following: “I am pleased with the fact that this forum is taking place in the year marking the 25^th anniversary of Independence of Armenia and Artsakh. I would like to draw your attention to the major points of the forum. Armenian youth have a unique and unbreakable power, and the coordinated guidance of that power is the current imperative for the development of Armenia’s economy. It is not by chance that Armenian businessmen are achieving great heights in different corners of the globe today. I am certain that you will make twice as much efforts for the development of Armenian economy and will take advantage of the opportunities that this forum has to offer to establish new contacts and carry out new pro-national projects. The conduct of such forums and conferences in Armenia goes to show that the Armenian Diaspora is becoming more Armenia-centered and that Armenia is the axis around which all individuals and organizations with potential need to unite and take action. I am certain that our businessmen are helping raise Armenia’s reputation with their successes and the reputation that they have gained. Among those brilliant businessmen are Kirk Kerkorian, Eduardo Eurnekian, Ruben Vardanyan, Samvel Karapetyan and others who have not only achieved great heights in the world and have gained a reputation, but have also made their special contributions to the development of Armenia’s economy with their business mindset and activities.”

President of the Union of Young Employers of Armenia Mushegh Avetisyan also welcomed the participants of the forum.

Expressing gratitude to the Ministries of Diaspora and Foreign Affairs for helping make the forum possible, Avetisyan stated that the annual Pan-Armenian Forum of Young Businessmen will provide young Diaspora Armenian businessmen with the opportunity to get to know each other and use their contacts for the growth and advancement of their businesses. Avetisyan attached importance to the fact that the forum was aimed at informing Armenian businessmen about Armenian legislation and the opportunities for exportation and investments in order to create an environment for young Armenian businessmen working in the same sectors in Armenia and abroad to work through mutually beneficial cooperation.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Robert Harutyunyan and Deputy Minister of Economy Emil Tarasyan also gave their welcoming remarks.

Among other speakers were representatives of international delegations.

The forum will continue until July 22.