May 21, 2009 - 19:22 AMT
Export Consortiums need to be established in Armenia
Export Consortiums need to be established in Armenia, told Robert Haroutiunyan, director general of the Armenian Development Agency (ADA), a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

"Currently, when it is difficult to find new markets, small companies need to unite their efforts in entering new markets," he said. According to him, ADA jointly with UNIDO and Cheese Producers Association elaborated a project aimed at establishing an export consortium, in particular for cheeses producers. The project has already submitted to the government.

According to Mr. Haroutiunyan, some 70 producers of cheese currently operate in Armenia, as well as a number of small entrepreneurs in the regions. "It is necessary to unite them under the common brand to present Armenian cheese properly in the world market," he said.

The work of consortium will enable Armenian producers of cheese to triple the current volume of exports to 1200 - 1400 tons.

Initially the Cheese Producers Association will hold a half of shares of the new consortium, and the rest will belong to the government, which will gradually sell its shares to the consortium. Export consortium will be equipped with laboratory, production line, packing technology, enabling to produce high quality products in line with international standards, said Mr. Haroutiunyan.