US embassy cable - 05YEREVAN1747

UNCLAS YEREVAN 001747 
 
SIPDIS 
 
COMMERCE FOR 3150/PBRADLEY/BSMITH 
COMMERCE FOR 4201/ITA 
EMBASSIES - PLEASE PASS TO FCS 
DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN, EB/CBA 
ANKARA ALSO FOR CFC/SNYDER/BALLINGER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECON, EFIN, KTDB, BBSR, BEXP, AM 
SUBJECT:  STRONG INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION AT ARMENIAN 
EXPO 
 
1. (U) More than 180 businesses participated in the 5th 
annual Armenian Expo in Yerevan on September 14-17.  The 
conference organizer, LOGOS EXPO, designed the event to 
identify new markets for Armenian products, encourage 
foreign investment in Armenia, demonstrate the strength of 
the Armenian economy and promote international business 
cooperation.  According to LOGOS EXPO, total business 
participation increased by approximately 11 percent compared 
to 2004.  Many returning vendors requested additional 
exhibit space and total exhibition space was 38 percent 
greater than last year.  No U.S. businesses participated in 
this year's event. 
 
2. (U) Compared to 2004, international participation also 
increased.  Companies from more than 15 countries including 
Russia, Germany, Japan, Iran, Georgia, Belarus, Indonesia, 
and China participated in the event.  A LOGOS EXPO 
representative told us, however, that no U.S. businesses 
participated this year.  Post's Economic Affairs Officer 
spoke at the Expo about ways to enhance trade between 
Armenia and the U.S.  A representative from Development 
Alternatives, Incorporated, a USAID contract partner, also 
made a presentation about promoting local business 
development and agribusiness. 
 
3. (U) Conference organizer LOGOS EXPO is a private company 
that has organized more than 32 trade fairs since its 
founding in 1999.  The Armenian Ministry of Trade and 
Economic Development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the 
Union of Producers and Businessmen and the National 
Association of Publishers officially supported Armenia EXPO 
2005.  Local media extensively covered the event.  Sectors 
represented included: construction, transportation, 
agriculture, information technology, dairy production, 
confectionary, publishing and tourism.  Participating 
businessmen told us that public attendance rates were very 
high and appeared to exceed previous years.  They said they 
hope that this event will increase foreign investment in 
Armenia and advance the image of Armenia as a regional trade 
hub. 
 
EVANS