How Justified Is Our Participation in the IDEX 2021 Exhibition in This Difficult Situation? Gorgisyan

Georg Gorgisyan, a member of Armenia's 'Enlightened Armenia' parliamentary faction, wrote on his Facebook page: "From February 21-25 of this year, Armenia is participating in the IDEX 2021 international defense industry exhibition held in Abu Dhabi. It has become clear from information published on the internet and in the press that Armenia's pavilion is empty, with only brochures on display.

In response, the Ministry of High Technology Industry of Armenia announced that due to logistical issues, samples of Armenian military equipment have not arrived in Abu Dhabi. I should also note that to justify this step, representatives of the ministry attempted to showcase the Armenian pavilion via a live broadcast, which clearly demonstrated that no military equipment was presented there.

Reports also circulated on news websites that the rental of the pavilion cost approximately $200,000. The ministry signed a contract worth 23 million drams with 'Expo Group' LLC for the construction work of the pavilion. On February 22, I appealed to the Minister of High Technology Industry of Armenia, asking for clarification on how justified our participation in this exhibition is amidst the current socio-economic crisis and what expectations we had in spending such large sums when only brochures were presented at Armenia’s pavilion.

I would also add that this step can only be justified in one scenario: if we start exporting Armenian-manufactured drones and other military equipment after this exhibition. If not, then in this situation, such expenses are not only unjustified but also absurd.

P.S. The more shameful part is that the Ministry of High Technology Industry of Armenia does not even have the appropriate equipment to ensure a proper live connection.