ARMENIAN
ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: August 6, 2019

Contact:
Danielle Saroyan

Telephone:
(202) 393-3434

Web: www.aaainc.org

U.S. AGENCY OPIC HEAD DAVID
BOHIGIAN TO BE KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA NATIONAL ADVOCACY CONFERENCE

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly)
is pleased to announce that

Overseas
Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) Acting President and Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) David Bohigian will be the keynote speaker at the Assembly’s National
Advocacy Conference luncheon in Washington, D.C. on Monday, September 16, 2019.
Bohigian is the highest ranking Armenian American official in the current
Administration, appointed by President Donald Trump.

OPIC is a
self-sustaining U.S. Government agency that helps American businesses invest in
emerging markets. The U.S. agency provides financial products such as loans and
guaranties, political risk insurance, and support for investment funds, all of
which help American businesses expand into emerging markets.

“Mr.
Bohigian’s insights on OPIC’s mission and perspective from his visit to Armenia
will give conference participants a better understanding of U.S. support of
economic development opportunities in Armenia in support of this young
democracy,” Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny stated. “The Armenian
Assembly of America strongly supports U.S. initiatives to help provide
opportunities in Armenia and strengthen its economy, in addition to having a
strong record in promoting U.S.-Armenia relations, including the advancement of
democracy, rule of law, and good governance.”

Bohigian has
served as Acting President and CEO since March 2019, and was Executive Vice
President since August 2017, when he was sworn in by the Senate. This year,
Bohigian and Ivanka Trump launched OPIC’s 2X Africa initiative to support
investment in women in Africa.  From 2002
to 2009, Bohigian held several senior positions at the U.S. Department of
Commerce under the George W. Bush administration. As the Assistant Secretary
for Market Access and Compliance in the International Trade Administration, he
focused on eliminating barriers to trade and investment for U.S. companies.
Prior to that, he was the Director of the Department of Commerce’s Office of
Policy and Strategic Planning as the lead economic and energy advisor to two
Secretaries.

OPIC has a
long history of supporting development in Eurasia, and was an early investor in
the newly independent states in the 1990s following the fall of Communism.
Today this region remains critical to American foreign policy and OPIC
continues to actively support investment in the area. In 2019, OPIC implemented
a project on long-term home mortgage loans to households in the Republic of
Armenia with First Mortgage Company III, and is expected to have a positive
developmental impact by expanding the availability of mortgages to women and
low-income/rural families in Armenia.

Other OPIC
projects in Armenia in the past ten years include Eurasia Foundation (2016),
WBC – Ardshinbank CJSC (2016), ACBA Credit Agricole Bank CJSC (2014 &
2012), Promyshlenno-Stroitelny Investitsionny (2013), Marriott Hotel (2013),
MicroVest Short Duration Fund, LP (2012), First Mortgage Company II (2012), and
Ardshininvestbank (2009).

In addition
to the luncheon, the National Advocacy Conference and Gala includes panel
discussions, meetings on Capitol Hill, and a congressional celebration on
United States-Armenia relations.

Tickets are
available online at www.aimhye.com/events/tickets.
Early bird ticket prices are available until the end of today, August 5, and
special hotel rates at the Wharf InterContinental Hotel are open until August
14. For more information on the National Advocacy Conference, visit www.aimhye.com.

Established
in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of
Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership
organization.

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NR#: 2019-031

Photo Caption:
Armenian Assembly of America Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, OPIC Acting
President and CEO David Bohigian, and Armenian Assembly of America Co-Chair
Anthony Barsamian

Available
online: