ArmInfo. Swiss businessman of Armenian origin, co-founder of the Swiss watch brand Franc Muller and chairman of the board of Armswissbank CJSC Vardan Sirmakes initiated a new project in Armenia - the Build Armenia Foundation, which was joined by more than a dozen Armenian Diaspora businessmen.
According to preliminary estimates, about $ 100 million will be invested in the project at the initial stage, the businessman said in an interview with the First National Channel (1tv.am).
"I believe that the new energy that is reigning in Armenia today and the improvement of the legislative field will contribute to the investment inflow to the country, which will serve as the basis for large-scale repatriation of Armenians from around the world," he said. V.Shirmakes stressed that the returned compatriots will provide the place of residence, help with employment and in the near future will help in solving various problems. As explained by the businessman, for the returnees zones will be created in which they will be able to use health, educational and craft centers, in particular, in leather production, jewelry, etc. "A production chain will be created," stressed Sirmakes.
According to him, the activities of the Foundation will develop in accordance with European standards. "We will be open and transparent, so that everyone could follow our work and our target costs," the businessman said.
According to V. Sirmakes, more Diaspora representatives will join the Fund, in particular, from Russia due to close ties with Armenia. "I am confident that if we move in the right direction, we will be able to raise Armenia's rating at the international level and ensure a large-scale flow of compatriots returning to their homeland, who will be able to achieve new successes in the new Armenia," he concluded.
