International reporting

Armenia: a massive influx of entrepreneurs following the "special operation" in Ukraine

Audio 02:29

Panorama of Yerevan, which has been experiencing an influx of entrepreneurs for a few weeks.

© GNU Free Documentation License

By: Anissa El Jabri Follow

3 mins

In Armenia, and particularly in the capital Yerevan, we hear more and more often speaking Russian, in the street, in cafes and restaurants.

The country already hosts Russian military bases and the round trips of many soldiers from the Russian peacekeeping force to Nagorno-Karabakh after the war in the fall of 2020. For the past few weeks, it has been receiving a new population: protesters of what the Kremlin calls "the special operation" in Ukraine, but also entrepreneurs who settle a few hours flight from Russia to continue to practice while escaping sanctions.

An upheaval which is not without tensions in the country, but which is perceived above all as an opportunity.

Advertising

They are four, gathered around a tea in a restaurant in the center of the Armenian capital.

Together, these young women have just founded a collective of tenants against the sudden explosion in rental prices.

Mélinée Gazigian has just had the bitter experience of this.

Last week, his owner asked him to leave his 65 square meters at 300 euros in the center, and there...

The big problem is that the prices have increased so much that some owners are actually saying it directly.

"The Russians pay more, so I will double or triple the price. Either you line up or you leave. You are currently paying 400 euros, so either you pay 600 or 800 euros, or you clear at the end of the week or of the month. And it's impossible, the salaries here don't allow it. Everyone is currently impacted

Organized support to help these newcomers

Many of those who can afford high rent also come to Armenia to relocate their business.

They are welcomed with open arms.

In Repat Armenia, we are used to supporting the Armenians of the diaspora.

But in recent weeks, the support of this association has expanded, as explained by Vartan Marashlyan, its executive director.

We try to help in terms of information.

For example, we organize chat channels on Telegram with relocation experts, we send them lists of reliable suppliers, we give them legal advice.

All this is done in an emergency, since we are talking about people who land in Armenia and then start to solve their problems: how to open a bank account, find an apartment, look for premises to work...

An economic opportunity for the country

An arrival mainly of companies specializing in high technologies.

All find in Armenia a favorable environment.

Most Armenians speak Russian, it's easy to communicate.

And here in general, the attitude towards Ukrainians, Belarusians and Russians is very positive.

While today, a Russian who would go to the United States, Canada or Europe will face a certain hostility, even if he does not like the current regime in his country.

For us, it's a win-win situation, because these companies come here with their teams and their customers, and therefore do not take the work of the Armenians.

In addition, they bring new energy, new ideas, new blood.

This is a real chance to strengthen the economy and make Armenia attractive to non-Armenians

In a country worried that the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh will reignite with high intensity, any possibility of economic growth remains above all seen as an opportunity.

Newsletter

Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

google-play-badge_EN

• Armenia

• Ukraine

• Russia