French Ambassador to Armenia hopes foreign trade turnover between two countries will grow

ArmInfo. French Ambassador to Armenia Jean- Francois Charpentier says the low level of the commodity turnover between Armenia and France does not meet the level of cooperation in the political and cultural fields.

Talking to reporters in Yerevan on June 21, Ambassador Charpentier said France is the second largest investor in the economy of Armenia after Russia, though the foreign trade turnover of the two countries is modest - about 50 million EUR. 

The diplomat said the economic relations of the two countries are promising and the French businessmen are looking to participate in the Armenian Government's tenders for implementation of infrastructure projects. The Ambassador said France has repeatedly expresses an interest in the projects in the field of urban development, public transport, and health care. 

Ambassador Charpentier hopes the French enterprises will win the tenders, as France is known to be one of the best countries in the given fields.  The Embassy in turn will inform the French businesses of the possibilities in the business environment in Armenia.

The diplomat addressed also the ongoing EURO-2016 saying, "Let the best win". 

According to the National Statistical Service of Armenia, in 2015, foreign trade turnover of Armenia and France totaled $71.2 million with a 16.1% decline year on year. In particular, export totaled $6.1 million (down 20.3% y-o-y), import totaled $65.1 million (down 18.4% y-o-y). In Jan-Apr 2016, the commodity turnover totaled $15.2 million (down 33.1% y-o-y), with export totaling $3.1 million (down 10.2% y-o-y) and import totaling $13.9 million (down 34.7% y-o-y).