Yerevan, Noyan Tapan, May 25. On the initiative of Policy Forum Armenia, an economic forum started at the American University of Armenia on May 25 with a goal to discuss the impact of the world economic and financial crisis and find ways to mitigate its consequences. The Economic Forum brought together representatives of international organizations, major policymakers from regional economic powerhouses, Armenia’s key economic policymakers since independence. Titled “Armenia: Weathering the Global Storm”, the economic forum served as a major venue for discussing the global and Armenia-specific trends and culminated in a panel session where Armenia’s successive Prime Ministers discussed policy options for the future. As Abel Aghanbegyan said during the television bridge at the opening of the conference, it is not clear when the global financial crisis ends. Apparently, many will be able to get stronger while overcoming the crisis. According to A. Aghanbegyan, in order to withstand the crisis CIS countries should develop small and medium business, which will enable to create new jobs and revive the economy. “We will not come out of this recession soon,” stressed the academician adding that it is important to remain optimistic and at the same time be ready to the worst.

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