Monopoly and Corruption Logic Has Disappeared from Armenia, Says Pashinyan in Gegharkunik

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan participated today in the investment business conference titled "My Step for Gegharkunik Region" held in the auditorium of the Levon Kalantari State Drama Theater in the city of Gavar, Gegharkunik Province, alongside the opening of a local product EXPO exhibition. The conference gathered heads of sectoral agencies, governors, parliamentarians, ambassadors accredited in Armenia, and around 110 business representatives, including 72 from abroad, spanning large, medium, and small enterprises, banking structures, experts, and others.

In his welcoming speech to the conference participants, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan particularly noted:

“Dear guests, honorable representatives of the diplomatic corps of Armenia and abroad, state officials,

I am pleased about the conference, and as Mr. Governor stated correctly, when we mention Gegharkunik, we primarily think of Lake Sevan. Back in 1995-1996, when the new administrative division of Armenia was taking place, a politically correct decision was made, in my opinion and I believe in the opinion of many, that all regions located on the shores of Sevan should be included in one province.

This emphasized the unique importance of Sevan for the Republic of Armenia, and over the years, the significance of Sevan has not only remained but has also increased—not only for the Republic of Armenia but for our entire region. I believe Lake Sevan is also one of our primary and biggest tourism potential sites, one of the most picturesque places in our country. However, we must also admit today that Lake Sevan and its surroundings bear all the layers of processes that have occurred in Armenia over the past 30 years, without exception. An attentive observer can clearly note what historical phases our republic has gone through while walking along the shores of Sevan. I think our greatest challenge now is to adapt the coastal environment of Sevan to the status it has as a tourist site, as an immense fresh water resource, and as one of the key symbols of the Republic of Armenia.

This is already the fourth regional conference; we greatly value such events. We want to emphasize that the investment environment and the level and quality of economic relations in the Republic of Armenia have changed. We want to clearly note that the monopoly logic has disappeared from Armenia, the corruption logic has disappeared, and we can discuss all projects openly, transparently, and publicly.

We want to underline that in the Republic of Armenia—and this is a priority for the government—equal conditions must be ensured for all economic players. I am not saying that fully equal conditions are already achieved, because I understand that our actions over the past year have indeed changed a lot.

But we also need to analyze the field again after a year’s result, understand where there may still be manifestations of injustice, monopoly, or privilege, and we must eliminate these manifestations—not in spite of anyone or anything, but for the sake of Armenia's economic development, for the development of Armenia's investment environment. Such events and conferences are truly important, so we can openly think together about where investment and economic development opportunities may exist.

It is indeed very important to note that not only in Gegharkunik province, but environmental standards are of special importance to us in the new Armenia because the compliance of the Republic of Armenia with the best international environmental standards is truly a priority for us. It demands long-term, diligent work from us, and we have the sufficient will to carry out this work until the end.

Of course, I want to say that the government places special hope and significance on the activity of business people—not only Armenian but also those citizens who engage in activities outside Armenia, and foreign investors.

I have always said and want to say again that entrepreneurship is also a type of activity that requires special talent. Some people write good books, others compose great songs, some excel in construction, and some engage in good political activity; each has their own unique talent. I want to say that entrepreneurship also requires special talent, and I am confident that we have many talented entrepreneurs both in Armenia and abroad. I am sure that we also have many talented business people in foreign countries who are interested in Armenia, those who are interested in historical Armenia—in its nature and its people—and who are interested in the new Armenia, in the new opportunities that have emerged in the new Armenia.

And I want to wish us all success. It has been a year since the non-violent, velvet, people’s revolution took place in Armenia, and based on the results of the year, we record that our thought process is correct; we are acting in the right direction, walking in the right direction, thinking in the right direction, and our greatest challenge is to encourage the citizens, entrepreneurs, and investors of the Republic of Armenia to engage in activities in the Republic of Armenia, to come to Armenia, enrich themselves, and enrich Armenia.

So dear entrepreneurs, I welcome you to the Republic of Armenia, I welcome you to Gegharkunik Province. Come to Armenia, come to Gegharkunik Province, showcase your creative, entrepreneurial talents, enrich yourself, and enrich us.”

Subsequently, a film titled “Economic Opportunities and Development Vision of Gegharkunik Province” was screened, followed by a panel discussion on “Investment Environment in Armenia,” featuring the participation of Gegharkunik Governor Gnel Sanosyan, MP Varazdat Karapetyan, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Artak Kamalyan, Deputy Minister of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources Hakob Vardanyan, and Head of the Tourism Committee of the Ministry of Economic Development and Investments Susanna Safaryan. The prospects for the development of agriculture, tourism, renewable energy production, and other sectors were discussed.

Successful completed and ongoing projects in Gegharkunik Province were presented, as well as ideas for new investment projects.

During the conference, a local product EXPO exhibition was also opened. The Prime Minister toured the exhibition booths and became acquainted with the products presented.

Investment-business conferences and local product exhibitions in the regions of the Republic of Armenia are organized through a joint initiative of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Development and the regional administrations. Their purpose is to engage entrepreneurs operating in Armenia and abroad in the processes of developing regional economies and communities. The conference in Gegharkunik Province is the fourth regional forum this year. Six more conferences dedicated to the economy and community development of the provinces will be organized in other provinces of the Republic during the current year.