ArmInfo. Giving high priority to export stimulation and the need to diversify the exports and enter new markets, the Armenian Government keeps taking steps to promote the export of local goods. The press office of the Armenian Ministry of Economy has told ArmInfo that the Government has set up a council for export promotion and approved the priority areas and tools, as well as the procedure of submission of applications. Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan took that decision on January 13, 2016.
Chaired by Hovik Abrahamyan, the Council will contribute to the growth of export and increase of the share of exported goods in the total produce. The priority goods for export are wine, fruit vodka, tinned goods, meat products, fish and fish products.
It is for the Council to decide what local products to support and the support will be provided by the Armenian Development Fund.
To take part in the program, one should submit a relevant application to the Armenian Government's Administration. The application form is available at https://www.e-gov.am/decrees/item/15337/.
According to the National Statistics Service of Armenia, in Jan-Nov 2015 the foreign trade turnover of Armenia experienced 20.6% year-over-year decline (down 6.9% for November alone), with exports dropping by 4.7% over year (down 4.7% for November) and import dropping by 26.2% over year (down 7.9% for November). For comparison it should be noted that in Jan-Nov 2014, the foreign trade turnover of Armenia grew by 2.3% (down 10.1% for Nov 2014), with exports rising by 2.7% (down 5% for Nov 2014), and import growing by 2.1% (down 11.8% for Nov 2014).