Yerevan ready to grant additional benefits to Iranian investor

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%.