International Trade and Investment Forum 2026 Brings Armenian Producers and International Buyers Together in Yerevan

Other

IC Armenia Event

Over 250 Participants from 38 Countries Gather in Yerevan for the International Trade and Investment Forum 2026.

Yerevan, 2026: The International Trade and Investment Forum (ITIF) 2026 concluded in Yerevan on October 9, bringing together international distributors, importers, retail chain representatives, and Armenian food and beverage producers to explore new trade opportunities and establish business connections.

Organized by the Investment Council of Armenia, this year's Forum took place on October 7–9, with a special focus on Armenia's food and beverage sector, including fresh fruits and vegetables.

Official Opening Ceremony and High-Level Discussions

ITIF 2026 officially kicked off on October 7 with an opening ceremony hosted by Yerevan Municipality at Yerevan Municipality Hall.

The ceremony began with a welcome address by Mr. Levon Hovhannisyan, Deputy Mayor of Yerevan, representing the Forum's venue host.

Opening remarks were delivered by Mr. Vahan Kostanyan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Armenia; H.E. Ms. Alexandra Cole, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Armenia; Mr. Remon Zakaria, Head of the EBRD in Armenia; and Mr. Hovsep Patvakanyan, Head of the Investment Council of Armenia.

The opening session also featured a keynote presentation by Mr. Hovsep Patvakanyan, introducing TradeArmenia.org, a platform designed to increase the international visibility of Armenian producers and provide prospective buyers with information about Armenian products and export opportunities.

The Forum continued with two panel discussions addressing Armenia's international trade relations, market access, and opportunities for business cooperation.

The first panel, “The EU Offer to Armenian Business: Trade, Investment and Market Access,” explored opportunities for Armenian businesses to strengthen their engagement with European markets and international trade networks.

Moderated by Mr. Hovsep Patvakanyan, Head of the Investment Council of Armenia, the discussion featured Mr. Tigran Gasparyan, Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Armenia; H.E. Ms. Marge Mardisalu-Kahar, Ambassador of Estonia to Armenia; Dr. Johann Hesse, Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to Armenia; and Mr. Pierre Bonthonneau, Chief of the Trade and Investment Facilitation Section at the International Trade Centre (ITC), Switzerland.

The second panel, “Expanding Horizons: Trade and Export Opportunities in Armenia,” focused on opportunities to connect Armenian businesses with international buyers, strengthen trade relationships, and explore new export markets.

Moderated by Mr. Hayk Malkhasyan, Senior Legal Adviser at the Investment Council of Armenia, the panel brought together Ms. Ljiljana Rsumovic, Trade Policy Adviser at the National Board of Trade Sweden; Mr. Ankit Shah, Group Managing Director of Piya International FZE (United Arab Emirates); Mr. Chris Lo, Regional Director for Europe, Central Asia and Israel at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC); and Mr. Akis Dagazian, Partner and Chairman of the Hellenic-Armenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Greece).

The opening day concluded with a networking reception, providing participants with further opportunities to exchange perspectives and establish professional connections.

Armenian Products Showcase and B2B Meetings

On October 8, ITIF 2026 continued at Red Bridge Yerevan Hotel with a dedicated Armenian products showcase and B2B meetings, bringing international buyers directly together with Armenian food and beverage producers.

The exhibition featured 46 producer stands, presenting a diverse selection of Armenian food and beverage products, including products from the fresh fruit and vegetable sector.

International distributors, importers, and retail chain representatives had the opportunity to discover Armenian products, meet producers, and discuss potential sourcing arrangements and commercial partnerships.

The B2B meetings provided a platform for direct communication between international buyers and Armenian companies, enabling participants to exchange information on product specifications, export capabilities, packaging, certifications, and market requirements.

The program also included opportunities for factory visits, allowing international participants to gain firsthand insights into Armenian production facilities and explore potential cooperation with local manufacturers.

The day concluded with a gala dinner, sponsored by ArmSwissBank, bringing together Forum participants for further networking and business discussions.

On the final day, October 9, participants had the opportunity to revisit production facilities and take part in optional cultural activities, complementing the Forum’s business program.

Through its combination of institutional dialogue and practical business engagement, ITIF 2026 aimed to contribute to the international promotion of Armenian products and the development of long-term trade partnerships.

The Forum was organized by the Investment Council of Armenia, with the support of the International Trade Centre (ITC) through an EU-funded initiative, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and the UK Government's Good Governance Fund (GGF).

For more information: www.itif.am