DIASPORA IS CONCERNED ABOUT WEALTH ACCUMULATED IN ARMENIA

Lragir.am
14 July 06

This fall is going to be a rather dynamic period of work for the
foreign ministry of Armenia, said Vardan Oskanyan July 14 at the
Hayeli Club. He hints at both relations with foreign countries and
foreign relations with our compatriots, i.e. the third Armenia-Diaspora
forum. The minister says the forum will differ from the first two by
its economic component. This component refers to the investments of
the Diaspora in rural communities. Vardan Oskanyan says there will
be an arrangement during the forum and 50 border villages will have
sponsors. However, besides investing the Diaspora asks questions
as well. Vardan Oskanyan does not hide that Diasporan investors are
concerned about the wealth that is accumulated in Armenia, and wonder
why it is not invested in Armenian villages.

"If you propose us sponsoring 50 villages, they say, we would like
to see if the Armenian businessmen are engaged as well.

Fortunately, we are starting to learn to give. The foundation is the
vivid example, different charity programs are also evidence to this,
and my consultations, preliminary, with our businessmen connected
with these rural projects are quite encouraging and reassuring,"
says Vardan Oskanyan.