U.N.’s resident coordinator in Armenia said that national economy needs help from its Diaspora as it emerges from a painful recession.

Talking to Glendale News-Press, Dafina Gercheva stressed that and fellow U.N. official Armen Baibourtian stressed that support from the 8 million Diaspora Armenians is critical to economic expansion and democratic reforms in Armenia.

“Most of the Diaspora are extremely prominent, well-off individuals who deeply care about their homeland,” she said adding that Armenia needs the experience the Diaspora possesses.

Speaking of current economic situation in the country, the UN representative said the Armenian economy began to rebound with a growth rate of roughly 2.5%.

The U.N.’s resident coordinator in Armenia is expected to deliver that message on Thursday in a speech sponsored by the Armenian American Chamber of Commerce at the Glendale Hilton.