PRESS RELEASE
Consulate General of the Republic of Armenia
50 N La Cienega Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90211-2227
Email: armconla@aol.com

Minister of Economy Nerses Yeritsyan visited California

An international conference on `Doing Business with Armenia’,
organized by the Consulate General of the Republic of Armenia and the
Armenian American Chamber of Commerce was held between September
16-19, at the World Trade Center, Long Beach, California. Co-partners
of the event were the US Department of Commerce and the Armenian
Development Agency. Armenia’s official delegation was led by the
Minister of Economy Nerses Yeritsyan.

More than a 100 of California and Armenia businesses participated in
the conference that primarily focused on Armenia’s tourism, banking
and pharmaceutical industries.

In his keynote address Minister Nerses Yeritsyan presented Armenia’s
economic development perspectives and investment opportunities.

Danica Starks, representative from the US Department of Commerce,
spoke of the changes and reforms taking place in Armenia and stressed
the importance of encouraging small and medium sized enterprises.

The conference then split into three separate panels, where
representatives from the above mentioned industries introduced their
business projects and trade opportunities.

Within the framework of his visit Minister Yeritsyan delivered a
comprehensive presentation on Armenia’s economy, highlighting key
priority sectors and projects and reforms implemented by the
Government. Members of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce,
representatives of the Armenian community and the Consular Corps, city
officials and businessmen were in attendance. Presentation was
followed by the Q&A session.

During his meeting with the Los Angeles based Armenian Jewelers
Association, the Minister discussed possible ways of strengthening
Armenia’s domestic jewelry-related businesses. The Minister then
visited the St. Vincent Jewelry Center and was introduced to their
business initiatives.

As a part of his visit the Armenian Minister of Economy met with
representatives of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Western
region) and Ramgavar Azatakan Party (Western Region), as well as with
the Lincy Foundation President J. Rakow and Vice-President Harout
Sassounian. At those meetings an exchange of opinions took place
concerning Armenia’s development, regional situation, and future
assistance projects in Armenia.

The Minister of Economy attended a luncheon in his honour hosted by
Archbishop Hovnan Terterian, the Primate of the Western Diocese of the
Armenian Apostolic Church of America, and spoke about future projects
envisaged by the Armenian Government.

The Minister of Economy also paid a visit to Archbishop Mushegh
Martirosian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic
Church of the House of Cilicia, where the two discussed issues
relating to Armenia’s development and consolidation.

Mr. Yeritsian was interviewed by local media on a number of topics
pertaining to social and economic development of Armenia. -0-