On March 19th, the US-Armenia Council on Trade and Investment (TIFA) convened its session at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), in Washington DC. Deputy Foreign Minister Robert Harutyunyan attended the meeting as part of the Armenian delegation. Since the inception of the TIFA in 2015 this was the second meeting of the sides.

The Armenian delegation at the meeting was headed by Hovhannes Azizyan, Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Investment and included the high-ranking representatives from the Ministries of Labour and Social Affairs, economic Development and Investment, State Food Security Service and State Revenue Committee.

The US delegation was headed by the Assistant USTR Daniel Mullaney and was represented by the Departments of State, Labor, and Commerce, US Customs and Border Protection, US Food and Drug Administration and the USAID.

The TIFA session also included also a round table discussion with the representatives of private sector. The Council concluded the session by outlining the US-Armenia trade agenda and identifying areas for follow-up and consultations.

On March 20 the Armenian delegation, headed by Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Economic Development Robert Harutyunyan and Hovhannes Azizyan, was received by the US Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs, Ms. Manisha Singh. The meeting was attended by the Principal Deputy Assistant of State, Mr. Brian McFeeters and Ambassador of Armenia to the United States Grigor Hovhannissian. Both parties noted with satisfaction the growing interest in both capitals in expanding the current level of bilateral trade and investment.

During the meeting the interlocutors also discussed the outcomes of the TIFA meeting and the priority areas of bilateral economic cooperation, such as ICT, renewable energy and wine-making.