Armenian National Committee of Orange County
5305 West McFadden Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92704
E-mail: info@ancoc.org
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
: September 5, 2007

Contact: Lucy Der Yeghiaian

Tel: info@ancoc.org

ANC-OC Meets With Recently Appointed International Trade Committee Chairman

Costa Mesa, CA – On Thursday, August 16th, 2007 the Armenian National
Committee of Orange County (ANC-OC) met with California State Assembly
member Van Tran at his offices in Costa Mesa, CA. ANC-OC activists Ara
Malazian, Chris Guldjian, and Garin Sarkissian as well as ANC-OC activists
and recent ANCA intern Alex Der Alexanian discussed various issues of
importance to the Armenian community in Orange County, particularly with
regards to renewing authorization of the California trade office in Armenia.

"We appreciated the opportunity to sit down with Assembly Member Tran to
have a candid discussion about the importance of promoting
California-Armenia ties," said Malazian. "Armenia provides the most
democratic, stable, and economically progressing trading option for
California in the region. More importantly, the vibrant and growing
Armenian community in Orange County sees this developing economic
relationship as complimentary to the numerous cultural and social bridges
between the two states," he added.

Assemblyman Tran explained the importance of highlighting the benefits to
California’s economy through tangible results of the California-Trade
Office. While Armenia previous trade offices between California and Japan,
China, Mexico and Israel were funded by California tax-payers, the
California-Trade Office (CATO), touted as a model for the next generation of
California trade offices, is a privately funded entity working for the
benefit of the state.

The meeting ended on a very positive note with subsequent meetings to be
scheduled between Assemblyman Van Tran and the ANC Orange County.

On July 17th, 2007, Assemblyman Tran was named Chair of the Select Committee
on International Trade for the California State Assembly. The Select
Committee on International Trade was created to collaborate with California’s
business community in expanding import-export opportunities; to promote
better relationships with foreign entities, specifically to find economic
opportunities for California businesses; and to explore legislative policies
to cultivate international trade while resolving regulatory issues within
the state.

The Select Committee on International Trade is of particular significance to
Armenian American community as Armenia currently hosts the only California
trade office. Operated by the Foundation for Economic Development and
overseen by California’s Business, Transportation, and Housing Agency, the
trade office is working to expand trade between California, Armenia, and the
Newly Independent States of the former Soviet Union.

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most
influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working in
coordination with a network of offices, chapters and supporters throughout
the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA
actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad
range of issues.

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