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Top American Firms Call For US Trade Agreement with Armenia

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  • Top American Firms Call For US Trade Agreement with Armenia

    Top American Firms Call For US Trade Agreement with Armenia

    http://asbarez.com/106995/top-american-firms-call-for-us-trade-agreement-with-armenia/
    Friday, December 7th, 2012 | Posted by Contributor


    Microsoft among top US firms calling for a trade agreement with Armenia

    Microsoft, FedEx, and NASDAQ among Companies Seeking a Bilateral Trade
    and Investment Framework Agreement

    WASHINGTON - A wide range of US companies doing business in Armenia,
    including Microsoft, FedEx, and NASDAQ, have, in letters shared with
    the U.S. Embassy, called upon the Obama Administration to take
    concrete action prioritizing the growth of U.S.-Armenia economic
    relations through the negotiation of a bilateral Trade and Investment
    Framework Agreement (TIFA). The Armenian National Committee of
    America (ANCA), in the interest of job-creation in both America and
    Armenia, is actively engaged with the White House, the U.S. Trade
    Representative, the Congress, and the Departments of State, Treasury
    and Commerce in support of a broad array of practical steps and
    policies to promote U.S.-Armenia economic and commercial relations.

    These firms employ thousands in Armenia and world-wide, generate tens
    of millions of dollars in revenues, and are engines of progress,
    friendship, and cooperation for both nations. Among those joining
    with Microsoft, FedEx, and NASDAQ in petitioning for a TIFA were:
    Marriott, Ameria Banking Group, Prudence Legal Advisory and
    Counseling, Grant Thornton, Baker Tilley Armenia, Synergy, Tufenkian
    Heritage Hotels, Altacode, Leda Campus LLC, Levon Travel, Unicomp,
    Synopsys, Megerian Carpet, National Instruments, Mentor Graphics,
    First Mortgage, Geoteam, Hylink, LC Distribution, and Linkgard
    Systems.

    The Armenian government has long been on record requesting that its
    U.S. partners join with them in negotiating a TIFA, as well as a
    much-needed Double Tax Treaty. The American Chamber of Commerce in
    Armenia, through the active leadership of its Chairman, Edward
    Mouradian and professional support from its Executive Director Diana
    Gaziyan, has played a vital role in giving voice to the public policy
    priorities of the U.S. business community in Armenia. Many members of
    the U.S. Congress have expressed their support for a U.S.-Armenia
    TIFA, as has the Armenian National Committee of America. President
    Obama, for his part, promised, during his 2008 campaign, to foster
    expanded trade with Armenia. U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John
    Heffern, during his confirmation process, also spoke of his interest
    in expanding the U.S.-Armenia trade relationship.

    Beyond reinforcing the strong cultural bonds between the American and
    Armenian peoples, these corporations, in their letters, pointed out
    that the creation of a TIFA platform for ongoing bilateral economic
    dialogue would help facilitate a broad range of benefits to both the
    United States and Armenia, including:

    Improving the investment climate, identifying priority areas for
    growth, and building trade capacity
    Addressing regional trade issues, including the special hardships
    faced by Armenia due to the blockades imposed on its borders by Turkey
    and Azerbaijan
    Streamlining customs systems, and increasing the transparency of
    governmental processes related to imports and exports
    Discussing the effectiveness of current programs in Armenia of the
    U.S. Export-Import Bank, Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and
    U.S. Trade and Development Agency
    Expanding agricultural trade and investment
    Growing the level of trade in services, including banking, insurance,
    and tourism
    Promoting Diasporan trade and investment, with a special focus on expanding

    Armenian American trade and investment partnerships with Armenia

    Improving Armenia's use of U.S. Generalized System of Preferences benefits
    Addressing any outstanding problems in the area of intellectual property rights
    Exploring ways to deepen future U.S.-Armenia trade and investment

    In their letters, these firms stressed their interest in building upon
    a TIFA platform through additional bilateral accords, notably a Double
    Tax Treaty, a Social Security Agreement, and, ultimately, a Free Trade
    Agreement.

    Copies of the letters, addressed to President Obama, were handed to
    Ambassador Heffern today during his meetings with Armenian American
    organizations and community members in the Los Angeles area.
    Ambassador Heffern is participating in a series of community outreach
    meetings and town halls in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston and New
    York.

    The level of U.S. leadership in promoting trade and investment with
    Armenia was the subject of a recent, widely-circulated Asbarez
    commentary: No Effort or Progress on Fostering U.S.-Armenia Trade and
    Investment.




    From: A. Papazian
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