YEREVAN. – The Minister of Economy Karen Chshmarityan, on Friday received Japan’s newly appointed—and first resident—Ambassador to Armenia, Eiji Taguchi.

First, Minister Chshmarityan congratulated Ambassador Taguchi for assuming this diplomatic office. He also expressed the hope that Japan’s newly opened embassy in Armenia’s capital city of Yerevan will contribute to making Armenian-Japanese ties grow deeper in the economic sector, too, and expanding the already existing cooperation.

The Japanese diplomat, for his part, assured that he will make every effort to deepen cooperation between the two countries. He also noted that several programs have been implemented successfully in Armenia, and with assistance from Japan. Taguchi stressed that there is considerable potential for the implementation of a number of Armenian-Japanese economic projects.

Next, the Armenian minister of economy, at the request of the Japanese ambassador, presented the current state of Armenia’s economic development, and the main directions for the economic development strategy and industrial policy of the country.

Karen Chshmarityan also noted that Armenia has adopted an “open skies” policy, and in this connection, it was proposed to discuss the avenues for signing an Armenia-Japan agreement in the aviation sector.

In addition, the interlocutors underscored the need to establish cooperation between the Armenia Development Fund, and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). According to the parties, this collaboration likewise will contribute to the promotion of joint economic projects, and the increasing of trade and investment.