French Ambassador to Armenia does not doubt effectiveness of meetings within framework of first investment forum in Paris

ArmInfo. The French Ambassador to  Armenia, Jean-Francois Charpentier, in no way doubts the fruitful  cooperation as a result of the meetings of the Armenian side with  potential business partners from Paris, Lyon and Marseilles within  the framework of an investment forum held in Paris in late February.  He stated this on May 3 at the closure of the EU twinning program  "Strengthening the institutional capacities of investment policy and  stimulating investments in Armenia", implemented in Armenia from  October 15, 2015 to May 3, 2017.

According to the diplomat, if there is a clearly defined goal,  Armenian and European businessmen can successfully implement the  planned programs jointly. Noting the importance of increasing the  investment attractiveness of Armenia, Charpentier assured that  Armenian partners from the Development Fund of Armenia can hope for  the support of Business France (the state organization that is a  partner of commercial companies when exporting their products - Ed.)  in developing the institutional capabilities of local business and  increasing international recognition of the Republic.

According to the Executive Director of Business France, Caroline  Lebesche, the Twinning program implemented in Armenia for Armenia's  economic policy is the cornerstone in establishing business ties with  the EU and France. More than 20 highly qualified experts for almost  18 months shared their experience in attracting investments with  Armenian partners from the Ministry of Economic Development and  Investment and the Development Fund of Armenia (DFA). The accent, she  said, was put on stimulating investments, opening branches of foreign  companies in Armenia and creating new jobs. In particular, a lot of  work was done to develop Armenia's investment strategy, a newsletter  on Armenia, a database of potential investors was prepared.

In the framework of the EU twinning program "Strengthening the  institutional capacities of investment policy and stimulating  investment in Armenia" implemented by Armenia and France, 19  potential investment projects were developed. The budget of the  program financed by the European Union amounted to 810 thousand EUR.  Within a week the French business was presented with Armenia's  agricultural, energy and IT potential. In addition, on the fields of  the investment forum, potential partners are given general  information about Armenia, the legislative field, in particular,  information on taxes, as well as the conditions for doing business  within the framework of existing investment opportunities and trade  regimes.

As for expectations, as ArmInfo was earlier told in DFA, at this  stage it is very unprofessional to make specific forecasts in this  direction. As explained, according to the accepted practice, the  results of the held investment forum will be visible at best after  6-12 months after its holding.