Askar Japparkulov, seminar moderator, Director of the Macroeconomic Policy Department of the Eurasian Economic Commission, emphasized that interregional cooperation was the basis for the national and world economies and trade's functioning and development. Weakening ties between the regions and reducing the cross-border trade leads to a decrease in competitive opportunities and production potential and a slowdown in the economic growth of regions and countries as a whole.
In his turn, Robert Ghukasyan, Governor of the Syunik region of the Republic of Armenia, noted that a direct dialogue between the regions opened up new possibilities for developing businesses and the region's economy as a whole.
Vache Terteryan, Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures of the Republic of Armenia, stressed the necessity to actively use the EAEU's capabilities for developing regional production and exports and informed that local businesses were interested in creating cooperative ties, as well as establishing contacts with manufacturers and investors from the other regions of the EAEU countries.
EEC representatives told the seminar participants about the possibilities for developing regions and businesses in the Union, and representatives of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives of the Russian Federation (ASI) presented some approaches to assessing the investment attractiveness of regions, after which companies and entrepreneurs from Armenian regions got answers to their questions.
Representatives of Armenian marzes (regions) informed about the investment possibilities of Syunik, Gegharkunik, Lori, Vayots Dzor, Aragatsotn and Kotai marzes, such as organic agriculture development, renewable energy production (installing solar panels is economically feasible due to the favorable climate – over 300 sunny days a year), recreational and health-improving complexes, information and telecommunication technologies development. They also expressed their interest in creating new cooperative projects. In turn, representatives of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures of the Republic of Armenia spoke about the state's experience and approaches in ensuring regional development.
As part of the topic-specific seminar "Green Revolution: Opportunities and Prospects for the Regions", the participants discussed the issues of developing cooperation in green technologies and introducing the green economy principles. The participants noted that the EAEU's transition to a green economy should take place gradually, through the implementation of a project approach with due account for the countries' national interests and the social and economic aspects of the region's development.
The EEC will summarize all the proposals received from the seminar participants in order to build a systematic work on interregional trade and economic cooperation development, including involving representatives of regional administrations.
Seminar materials: Armavir region, Vayots Dzor region, Kotai region, Lori region, Syunik region, Shirak region
For reference
Seminar organizers – the Eurasian Economic Commission, the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures of the Republic of Armenia, the Administration of the Syunik Region of the Republic of Armenia and the Mayor's Office of the city of Kapan.
The event was attended by representatives of the EAEU countries' authorized authorities, representatives of the administrations of Syunik, Gegharkunik, Lori, Vayots Dzor, Aragatsotn and Kotai Marzes of the Republic of Armenia, the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures, the Ministry of High-Tech Industry, the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Armenia, the Agency for Strategic Initiatives of the Russian Federation, business communities and others.
The main goal of the seminar is to exchange the experience and develop approaches to enhancing interregional cooperation within the EAEU (implementing paragraph 6.1.4 of the Action Plan to Implement the Strategic Directions for Developing the Eurasian Economic Integration until 2025), as well as to develop the green economy in the EAEU (paragraphs 8.3.1, 8.3.2, 8.3.4, 8.3.5, 8.3.7) considering the economic potential of the regions of Armenia and other EAEU countries.