By Samvel Avagyan
Interview with Hayk Mizoyan, head of the Industry Department at the Armenian Ministry of Economy.
Q.: Mr. Mirzoyan, at what stage is the program of free economic zone at the Zvartnots airport?
A cold storage warehouse will be put into operation at the airport as soon as next April. A council has been formed at the Ministry of Economy, comprising representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Ministry of Agriculture, agricultural NGOs and international organizations, including Millennium Challenge, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), USAID, etc.
Q.: What steps have already been made?
The Government approved the free economic zone concept late in 2008. The program is being implemented in cooperation with the Corporación América Company owned by Eduardo Eurnekian. We invited an expert from the FloraHolland Company (Netherlands). He was to help up develop a business model. His proposals helped us expand the program. Thus we introduced fruit storing mechanisms in the regions, specify the export chain – right up to shops in other states or other commercial chains.
Q.: What is the fruit store center?
The cold storage warehouse is the center. Farmers will also receive consultations on what particular products they have to grow and how to do it. It is a serious problem now. Our agricultural products are ecologically clean. However, since farmers lack knowledge, the products lose their marketable state before they reach consumers. Fertilizers can be supplied as well. Some investors agreed to create several storing centers. Similar centers will be created under the Millennium Challenge program, but they will not provide consultations.
Q.: Can farmers get access to the free economic zone without dealing with storing centers or the storing centers are an obligatory link?
Farmers are free to choose. Storing centers are only an alternative. It is a matter of choice for farmers. However, early in the year farmers are informed of how they can cooperate with storing centers, apply modern technologies - irrigation, fertilizer, selection, etc..
Q.: Is there any interest in the free economic zone abroad? Are any survey results available?
Answer: Russian and European supermarket chains take interest. Also, the United Arab Emirates is interested in the free economic zone. A preliminary agreement on cooperation with Sharjahwas reached during Minister for Foreign Trade Sheikha Lubna Khalid Sultan al Qasimi’s official visit to Armenia.
