Your trusted source

Armenia expects investment, not charity, from the Diaspora, Armenian Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan said at a conference in Yerevan today.

The event was organized by UNICEF, the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ministry of Diaspora, and Mission East humanitarian aid organization to discuss a strategy of social integration of Diaspora members.

According to Hranush Hakobyan, the conference will help assimilate the experience of other countries and boost Armenia-Diaspora ties.

According to the minister, 16-17 thousand Diaspora Armenians currently live in Armenia, and numerous companies were set up in the country by Diaspora representatives.

“We assist them in developing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Loans of a total of $1.5 million were provided at an interest rate of 4%. To our joy, our compatriots settle down in Armenia and engage in the sphere of services and the food industry,” H. Hakobyan said. 

Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia Ambassador Piotr Switalski stressed the importance of the fact that investments of Diaspora Armenians contribute to socioeconomic development and job creation in Armenia.

Head of Irish Diaspora Matters Company Kingsley Aikins spoke about the format that allows Ireland to use Diaspora’s potential to promote business, generate employment, etc.