Hovik Abrahamyan and Swedish trade minister discuss cooperation prospects

Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan received today a delegation led by Swedish Trade Minister Eva Bjorling, the press office of the Armenian government reported.

The prime minister highly appreciated Sweden’s attention to Armenia and the region and underlined the importance of further development and expansion of Armenian-Swedish cooperation. “In this context we attach importance to the opening of Sweden’s diplomatic mission in Armenia, which will also strengthen bilateral ties,” H. Abrahamyan stated.

The trade minister for her part thanked Hovik Abrahamyan for the reception and introduced the Swedish ambassador to Armenia to him. In her words, the aim of her visit is to develop bilateral business links and increase the commodity turnover. She added that both countries have huge potential that can be used.

Eva Bjorling presented delegation members – representatives of four large Swedish companies Ericsson, Elekta, ABB, and Education First who will discuss together with Armenian partners new cooperation programs in telecommunications, energy, healthcare, education and other spheres.

The Swedish minister said that during the visit a linear accelerator was presented to the National Oncological Center of Armenia on behalf of the Swedish government.

Hovik Abrahamyan thanked the Swedish businessmen and presented Armenia’s investment environment. He stressed that Armenia’s economy is open for investors, while the government is prepared to assist in every possible way the activities of foreign companies in Armenia. He drew Swedish businessmen’s attention to the free economic zones in Armenia where favorable conditions were created for entrepreneurs. According to the prime minister, Armenia may become a bridge for Swedish business to enter the 170-million market of the Eurasian Economic Union.

When speaking about Armenia-EU cooperation, the prime minister said that Yerevan is ready to continue a political dialog with the EU, which will ensure consistent reforms and democratization.

At the meeting’s conclusion Hovik Abrahamyan conveyed an invitation for the head of Swedish government to visit Armenia at a convenient time.