On April 13, Nikol Pashinyan, the Prime Minister of Armenia, held a working breakfast with representatives of the country’s largest employers. Opening the meeting, Pashinyan stated that the invited participants were among those companies that have generated the highest number of jobs in Armenia and expressed his appreciation for their contribution. He emphasized that since 2018 these businesses have largely aligned with government policies, resulting in the creation of 288,000 jobs. “But it is obvious that we did not create these jobs, it was you who created them,” he stated, noting that while state policies helped shape a favorable environment, the private sector played the decisive role. He also recalled the government’s pre-election commitment to create at least 25,000 jobs annually, underlining the importance of maintaining this momentum.

During the discussion, Pashinyan addressed the growing role of artificial intelligence in the economy, pointing to both its opportunities and risks, particularly regarding employment. He emphasized the need for thorough analysis and coordinated efforts to ensure a smooth transformation of the labor market. “We need to understand what we have to do, in what directions we need to cooperate in order to ensure the correct transformation of the labor market,” he stated. The Prime Minister added that in recent years the government has invested billions of drams into modernizing the economy, highlighting the Economic Modernization Program as a key driver of progress. He also noted that, despite challenges such as the 2020 coronavirus pandemic and the war, Armenia has maintained an average economic growth rate of around 7%, thanking the business community for its role in this achievement.

Touching upon social and economic policies, Pashinyan spoke about the implementation of universal health insurance and the importance of employers in expanding its coverage. He further outlined the government’s approach to job creation, stressing that able-bodied individuals should secure their livelihoods through employment. “We will accompany a person on the path to finding a job,” he stated, explaining that under the updated system, individuals would be offered specific job opportunities, and repeated refusal could lead to reassessment of their eligibility for support. He underlined that education and its transformation remain essential to ensuring people can effectively integrate into the workforce.

Pashinyan also highlighted that Armenia is entering a new phase of economic development linked to the ongoing peace process with Azerbaijan. He noted expectations of significant developments, particularly the launch of the TRIPP project, which he said would fully eliminate the country’s blockade. He pointed out that rail freight transportation through Azerbaijan is already possible and being carried out, while exports can also be conducted via Georgia. “This railway will never be closed. In other words, it is a reliable route for both import and export,” he stated, emphasizing the strategic importance of reopening railway connections.

Concluding his remarks, Pashinyan stated that since 2018 Armenia’s gross domestic product has grown by 53%, reaching a stage where relations between businesses, the state, and employees must evolve. He stressed the importance of continued dialogue with the private sector and thanked business leaders for their role in the country’s transformation. “Armenia has never had such an unprecedented period of opportunities in its history,” he stated, highlighting the need to make full use of these prospects. He added that the government cannot achieve these goals without the active participation of key economic actors, describing this as his main message.

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