On November 22-23 in Yerevan the second Armenian-Turkish business-forum was held within the USAID project “Contribution to Armenian-Turkish rapprochement”. About 100 businessmen from both sides discussed development of business ties in the context of the absence of diplomatic relations and with a closed border, as well as establishing joint enterprises and increasing turnover.
Last year trade turnover between Armenia and Turkey amounted to $212.1 million (4.4% of the total turnover of Armenia with other countries). In comparison with 2009, the Turkish share hasn’t changed. Exports from Armenia to Turkey amounted to $1.3 million last year, while imports of Turkish goods made up $210.4 million. So the Turkish share in mutual turnover is 99%, while the Armenian share is 1%. According to Turkish businessmen, the most demanded goods are food products, freestones, synthetic rubber and copper from Armenia. Today 14 items of Armenian products are available on the Turkish market, and they are quite competitive.
Within the forum the Business Women Associations of Armenia and Turkey signed a Cooperation Memorandum. The Armenian Entrepreneurs and Businessmen Council and the Turkish-Armenian Council on Business Cooperation signed a Memorandum as well. It presupposes intensification of business contacts and lobbying on issues connected with the opening of the border. The participants in the forum stated that the closed border prevents development of economic ties and trade. It also leads to a reduction in turnover. “By development of our relations we try to show the government of Turkey that, even in the context of the closed border, businessmen of the two countries are cooperating. It is high time the Turkish authorities understood the possible benefits and consider Armenia without prejudice,” Arsen Kazaryan, the chairman of the Armenian Entrepreneurs and Businessmen Council said.
The current forum was attended by more participants in comparison with last year's Yerevan forum. A significant feature of the second forum is geographic expansion. In 2010 only businessmen from Istanbul arrived in Yerevan, whereas this time the business circles of Turkey were presented by six regions. Last year attention was focused on tourism development issues, the current forum discussed various business aspects. It is obvious that such forums contribute to a closer study of the business environment. “In general, a positive dynamic is taking place. During such events businessmen learn more about each other, establish links between producers and purchasers. In the context of absence of governmental control, non-governmental organizations establish ties, which are usually established by Trade and Industry Chambers and other state structures,” the head of the Yerevan branch of the Eurasia Fund, Gevork Ter-Gabrielyan, says.
At the same time, the Turkish businessman Mehmed Choban stated that the key point is still opening of communications, which will enable expansion of cooperation in the trade and economic spheres: “If the Armenian-Turkish border were open, great opportunities for Turkey and Armenia would be open as well. For example, the creation of new jobs.”
