Fukushima Masanori: Japanese market is interested in Armenian  agricultural products

ArmInfo. The Japanese market is interested in Armenian agricultural products, and we are  also interested in Armenian culture and history. Ambassador of Japan  to Armenia Fukushima Masanori stated  during a meeting with Minister  of Economy of Armenia Vahan Kerobyan.  

According to the press service  of the department, the parties discussed issues related to trade and  economic relations between the countries, attaching importance to the  development and strengthening of ties. In addition, the interlocutors  discussed the upcoming visit of the Minister of Economy to Japan, as  well as Armenia's participation in the EXPO 2023 Osaka, Kansai,  Japan.

It is reported that during the meeting, the head of the Ministry of  Economy presented the guest with a project for the construction of a  "Dry Port" in the Shirak region. 

It should be noted that a "Dry Port" or an industrial park with a  special economic zone is planned to be built on the territory  adjacent to the Shirak airport, which will border both the airport  and the railway and the North-South highway. The Dry Port is  envisaged as a multifunctional and multimodal hub to serve those  local and international companies that require an operational  procedure to consolidate customs processes, which can help reduce the  latter's operating costs. The Minister of Economy stated that,  according to the intended goals, the Dry Port industrial park being  established in Gyumri will provide 3% of Armenia's GDP.

According to him, the final stage of the feasibility study of the  project is currently underway.  According to statistical data,  foreign trade turnover between Armenia and Japan in Jan-Sept 2023  increased 3.8-fold, amounting to $297.4 million. At the same time,  exports increased by 1.1% to $2.2 million, against the backdrop of a  2.9-fold increase in imports to $295.2 million.