Armenia

International Economics 1

Drafter: Hasmik Hovhanesian
International Conference:
Title of Seminar/Workshop: “Post-Crises Economic Development Strategy: World Perspectives”
Date: April 8, 2010
Location: Economics Faculty, Yerevan State University, Yerevan, Armenia
Length: 3 hours
Total number of Speakers: 7 (Dr. Y. Makogon (Professor of Donetsk National University, Ukraine), PhD Mrs. Ashkhen Yatsenko (Docent, Donetsk National University, Ukraine), Mr. Mikayel Hovsepyan (Vice Director, Union of Banks of Armenia), PhD Mrs. Tatevik Ulikhanyan (Graduate from Public Servant Academy of Russia under the President of RF, Russia), and the other speakers were Master students of the Economics faculty (Mr. Arthur Eghizaryan, Mr. Armen Grigoryan, Ms Anahit Qechechyan, Mr Hrant Vardanyan and Ms Anna Gevorgyan)).
Description of the Event:
The conference was devoted to the Post-Crises Economic Development Strategy’s experience of several CIS countries 9 key speakers addressed the audience. Two of them were from Ukraine, one from Russia, the others from Armenia. The conference started with the opening speech of Pr. Hayk Sargsyan (Dean of the Economics Faculty, followed by Ms. Hasmik Hovhanesian (Economics Event Manager, CABIR AC Armenia), and Pr. Toros Torosyan (Head of International Economics Department). Mr. Sargsyan stressed the importance of this kind of events for the researchers, and he also reiterated its gratitude to CABIR for organizing the event. At the conference Ms. Hovhanesian also presented the major CABIR goals and activities in the region.
The opening remarks were followed by the presentations of key speakers, moderated by Pr. Toros Torosyan and Mrs. Hasmik Hovhanesian. The key speakers were:
Dr. Y. Makogon (Professor of Donetsk National University, Ukraine). He spoke about the International Strategies of Economic Development, emphasizing the experience of Ukraine and in particular the impact of the current political situation on economic developments.
PhD Mrs. Ashkhen Yatsenko (Docent, Donetsk National University, Ukraine). She presented the Importance of Economic Cooperation between Ukraine and EU countries for recovering from the World Economic Crises. Overall, she stressed that this relation was quite important, but still the major economic partners for Ukraine remained Russia and other CIS countries.
Mr. Mikayel Hovsepyan (Vice Director, Union of Banks of Armenia). He presented the role of integration of Armenia in the process of the World Crises. He believes that the greater the level of integration stronger is the impact of crisis on the economy. At the same time, it is easier to recover from the crises.
PhD Mrs. Tatevik Ulikhanyan (Graduate from Public Servant Academy of Russia under the President of RF, Russia). She spoke about the role of regional unification of CIS in the development of Trans-Boarder Integration. She also presented the perspectives of CIS to better resolve the economic crises.
The other speakers were Master students of the Economics faculty: Mr. Arthur Eghizaryan, Mr. Armen Grigoryan, Ms Anahit Qechechyan, Mr Hrant Vardanyan and Ms Anna Gevorgyan. They spoke about: Armernia-EU Economic Relations; Perspectives of Economic Relations between Armenia and CIS; Relations of Armenia and Russia; and Inflation in Armenia.
The presentations were followed by questions and answers. At the end Pr. Toros Torosyan (YSU) and Mrs Hasmik Hovhanesian (CABIR Alumni) summarized the outcomes of the conference.
Outcomes of Conference:
Three hours discussion led to the following outcomes:

Integration has two aspects: positive and negative. Negative aspects are visible during crises;
Foreign trade could be effective for recovering from the crises;
EU is the major trade partner for CIS countries, but Russia has a leading position.

Conclusion:
The conference was followed by a dinner with our international guests and aimed at strengthening cooperation and identify ways for future cooperation.
Breakdown of participants
CABIR Member: 2
Dean, deputies’ dean, heads of departments, representatives of scientific board of economics faculty: 10
Presenters outside of Armenia: 3
International Organizations: 2
Govt. Officials (Central Bank of Armenia and Ministry of Economy): 2
Students of Economics faculty: 22
Total number of participants: 41

International Economics 2

Drafter: Hasmik Hovhanesian
International Conference:
Title of Seminar/Workshop: “De-centralization of foreign investments in Armenia: Regional development”
Date: October 30, 2010
Location: Vanadzor State Pedagogical Institute, Vanadzor, Armenia
Length: 2,5 hours
Total number of Speakers: 5 – Mrs. Gayane Hovakimyan (Municipal Event Manager, CABIR) Pr. Koriun Torosyan (Head of Economic Theory department, Vanadzor State Pedagogical Institute), Mr. Hrachya Papoyan (Senior Specialist, Financial department, Municipality of Vanadzor), Mr. Arthur Eghiazaryan (Director, Ttu – jur Ltd.), Mr. Tigran Nikoghosyan (Second year master level student, Economics Faculty, Yerevan State University).
Description of the Event:
The conference was devoted to the de-centralization of foreign investments in Armenia with emphasis on the Regional development.
Five key speakers addressed the audience. The conference started with the opening speech of Pr. Koriun Torosyan (Head of Economic Theory department, Vanadzor State Pedagogical Institute), followed by Mrs. Gayane Hovakimyan (Event Manager, CABIR AC Armenia).
Pr. Torosyan stressed the importance of this kind of events for the regions of Armenia and reiterated his gratitude to CABIR for organizing the event.
At the conference Ms. Hovakimyan also presented the major CABIR goals and activities in the region.
The opening remarks were followed by the presentations of key speakers, moderated by Pr. Koryun Torosyan and Mrs. Hovakimyan. The key speakers presented the following issues during the conference:
Pr. Torosyan spoke about the importance of foreign direct investments (FDIs) n the global economy, emphasizing its role in the regional development of different countries.
Mr. Hrachya Papoyan presented the Importance of investments in Lori Marze. He stressed that investments in general will create new job opportunities contributing to solving not only economic challenges in the region, but also social ones, as the head of families would not leave their wife and children looking for employment abroad .
Mr. Arthur Eghiazaryan presented the role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) of Armenia in the poverty reduction process. He believes that the greater the role of SMEs will be in the region, the lower will be the level of poverty and social problems.
Mr. Tigran Nikoghosyan spoke about the structure of FDIs in the country as well as of the sectors and regions of Armenia they are directed. He also presented the perspectives of FDIs to better resolve the regional challenges in the regions.
Each presentation was followed by questions and answers. At the end Pr. Toros Torosyan (YSU) and Mrs Gayane Hovakimyan (CABIR Alumni) summarized the outcomes of the conference.
Outcomes of Conference:
Two and half hours discussion led to the following outcomes:

Issue of decentralization of investments in Armenia is very urgent and needs to be addressed as it leads to high rate of emigration ;
SME development had to be promoted in concert with FDIs.

Conclusion:
The conference was followed by a dinner with key speakers and aimed at strengthening cooperation and identify ways for future cooperation with regional researchers and decision makers.

Breakdown of participants
CABIR Member: 3
Dean, deputies’ dean, heads of departments: 7
Govt. Officials (Central Bank of Armenia and Ministry of Economy): 1
Representative of Government of the RA: 1
Representative of Municipality of Vanadzor: 2
Representative of Private Sector: 1
Students: 23
Total number of participants: 38

International Economics 3

Drafter: Hasmik Hovhanesian
International Conference:
Title of Seminar/Workshop: “The impact of international trainings on the effectiveness of public sector operating in the economic sector of the country”
Date: December 24, 2010
Location: Ministry of Economy, Yerevan, Armenia
Length: 1,5 hours
Total number of Speakers: 4 – Mrs. Zara Hayrapetyan (Website Manager, CABIR), Mrs Hasmik Hovhanesian (International Economics Event Manager, CABIR), Mr. Khachik Gevorgyan (President of ARMACAD network), Mr. Artak Shakaryan (Representative of Davidian foundation).
Description of the Event:
The conference was devoted to the impact and importance of trainings for upgrading qualification, professionalism and experience of specialists employed in the public sector of Armenia operating in economic field with 5 key speakers addressed the audience. The conference started with the opening speech of Mrs Zara hayrapetyan followed by Mr Khachik Gevorgyan and Mr Artak Shakaryan. Mrs Hovhanesian presented the major CABIR goals and activities in the region. At the end Mr Ruben Sarukhanyan (Director of Program Administration Agency under the Ministry of Economics) expressed his gratitude for the organization of seminar and stressed that the seminar was another opportunity for the staff of the Ministry to be informed about training programs suggested in Armenia.
The opening remarks were followed by the presentations of key speakers, moderated by Mrs Hasmik Hovhanesian and Mrs Zara Hayrapetyan. The key speakers presented the following issues during the conference:
Mr. Khachik Gevorgyan presented the effectiveness of training/education programs announcing e-network in Armenia and how it worked. The ways of cooperation between CABIR alumni Armenia and ARMACAD network has been discussed as well.
The next speaker was Mr. Artak Shakaryan (Vice-President of alumni of the Davidian foundation), who spoke about the program. He emphasized that many participants of program financed by the Davidian foundation were CABIR alumni or vice-versa. He also stressed the importance of these kinds of programs for the country like Armenia, where many citizens could not afford themselves to up-grade their knowledge in western top universities, while these trainings programs filled this gap.
Each presentation was followed by questions and answers. At the end Mrs Zara Hayrapetyan and Mrs Hasmik Hovhanesian summarized the outcomes of the conference.
Outcomes of Conference:
One and half hours discussion led to the following outcomes:

This kinds of programs are essential and vital;
The alumni councils of different foreign programs conducted in Armenia and/or for Armenians are better to meet from time to time to share the information. SME development had to be promoted as well in compliment with FDIs.

Breakdown of participants
CABIR Member: 2
Representatives of Ministries: 11
Representatives of different training programs: 2
Representative of Private Sector: 1
Total number of participants: 16