ArmInfo. Armenia is ready to discuss proposals aimed at intensifying Armenian-Iranian cooperation in the field of agriculture. This was stated by Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan in an exclusive interview with the Iranian news agency IRNA on the eve of his visit to Tehran, where he will take part in the inauguration ceremony of Iran's elected president Hasan Ruhani.
According to the President, Armenia is aimed at deepening agricultural cooperation. In particular, as noted by Sargsyan, the Armenian side sees real prospects for cooperation in livestock, fish farming, crop production and in the processing industry.Regarding foreign investors, as Serzh Sargsyan stressed, Armenia pursues an open door policy, not applying almost any restrictions with respect to investment activities, while ensuring full legislative protection of investments. Moreover, as the head of the republic reminded, an effective system of stimulating spheres with export potential has been formed in Armenia. The instruments are tax-customs privileges for equipment and raw materials imported within the framework of the investment program, financing of working capital for the creation of the Armenian- Iranian joint venture as in Pre-export period, and during the period of joint export of products. "In the case of implementation of major investment programs by the Iranian business, Armenia is ready to discuss the provision of additional benefits to them," said Serzh Sargsyan. It should be noted that Armenia's foreign trade turnover in the first half of 2017 was 1363.5 billion drams or $ 2.815 billion with annual growth of 24%. During the reporting period, trade with Iran amounted to $ 114.4 million with an annual growth of 0.4%. At the same time, exports amounted to $ 34.7 million, a decline of 9.3%, imports - $ 79.7 million, with growth of 5.3%.
