Armenia excited about kicking off CIFTIS debut

Armenia treasures the fifth China Beijing International Fair for Trade in Services as a great opportunity to boost communications and cooperation with China, according to Hrant Abajyan, trade representative of the Armenian Embassy in China.

The fair, being held in the China National Convention Center in Beijing this week, is a leading international exhibition and conference of trade in services, according to the organizing committee.

"My colleagues and I all actively prepared for the big event, since all of us were excited about our debut at CIFTIS," Abajyan said.

On Monday, Armenian ambassador to China, Sergey Manassarian, delivered an opening speech at CIFTIS.

Abajyan said his country's presentation focuses on Armenia's economic situation, investment climate and tourism.

Armenia, a landlocked country, is bordered by Georgia, Iran, Turkey and Azerbaijan, and covers 29,800 square kilometers with a population of around 3 million.

"Although it is not a large country with a large population, Armenia's economy has had stable growth," the trade representative said.

"In 2017, Armenia had 7.5 percent growth in GDP, which is quite an impressive figure for us. Furthermore, Armenia has recorded unprecedented GDP growth of 10.6 percent in the first quarter of 2018."

When it comes to the momentum driving the economic growth, he said that Aremenia was a gateway for the Islamic Republic of Iran to the European Economic Union and vice versa.

"The common border and the visa free policy opens up a market of 80 million consumers," Abajyan said.

"Meanwhile Armenia is a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, which gives access to a market with 180 million people," he added.

Exports from Armenia last year grew by 25.2 percent to an estimated $2.3 billion. China was one of the major export destinations for Armenia, according to the trade representative.

"The trade turnover between China and Armenia balanced at $600 million in 2017, with year-on-year growth of 33 percent.

"The main products exported from Armenia to China are mining products, precious and semi-precious stones, alcohol and non-alcolholic drinks," Abajyan said.

With Armenia's support of the Belt and Road Initiative from the very beginning, many Chinese companies have been involved in Armenia's economy. These include Huawei, ZTE, China International Trust and Investment Corporation Group and FMD, a Chinese pharma concern, the trade representative said.

Looking ahead he said: "Chinese enterprises commonly have interests in Armenia's natural resources, mining products, agricultural products and renewable resources. At the same time, China's electric vehicles are yearning for more potential markets.

"So we are looking forward to more mutually beneficial cooperation being achieved at this fair."

Armenia has also paid a great deal of attention to China's tourism market, offering arrival visas and electronic visas to Chinese citizens, according to Abajyan.

"Looking at the almost 80 percent growth in Chinese tourists coming to Armenia in 2017, I am convinced that Armenia will become a very attractive destination for more and more Chinese," the trade representative concluded.

zhangdandan@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 05/30/2018 page24)