ArmInfo.The construction of the Shirak Port industrial park will be launched in Armenia's Gyumri next year, Armenia's Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan stated at the International Industrial Trade Fair INNOPROM 2022 in Ekaterinburg, Russia.
The intensified Armenian-Russian industrial cooperation necessitates the creation of industrial estates.
Mr Kerobyan called on Russian companies to participate in such projects and pointed out a number of advantages, particularly tax benefits, logistic communication and efficient sales market search.
Among the prospective fields for Armenian-Russian joint ventures are the chemical industry, metallurgy and hi-tech production. Mer Kerobyan also stated that over 1,200 companies with Russian capital have launched their activities since this March.
He highlighted the importance of settling the product certification issue and said that a number of producers participating in the International Industrial Trade Fair INNOPROM 2022 have problems entering the Russian market.
"The Eurasian register of industrial products is not yet operating, but requirements are in effect. It is most important to remove obstacles to our mutual trade as soon as possible and fill the gaps in supplies of industrial goods, medicines and so on," Mr Kerobyan said.
In this context he mentioned relevant work with Russia. Russian Premier Mikhail Mishustin visited the Armenian pavilion and instructed the relevant agencies to resolve the problems as soon as possible.
"We hope the obstacles will be removed in the foreseeable future," Mr Kerobyan said.
Last April, Mr Kerobyan announced the creation of four industrial parks, which would be constructed in Abovyan, Gyumri, Ararat and Meghri as a result of cooperation between the government and private sectors.
He stressed the industrial parks would have high-tech infrastructures that would enable foreign investors to launch their production.
Industrial parks will open up ample opportunities for companies to enter European markets. Speaking of Gyumri, Mr Kerobyan said that the creation of a "Dry port" was under consideration - an industrial park with developed communication lines, including a railroad. The Gyumri park was to ensure 3% of Armenia's GDP.
Armenian-Russian trade totaled $903.4mln this January-April, with exports totaling $280mln (a 26.4% growth), with imports totaling $623.4mln (a 42.1% growth).
