California Trade and Services Desk Officially Launches in Yerevan

New Trade Desk Will Promote Innovation and Increased Business Relations Between Armenia and California

YEREVAN, ARMENIA (November 16, 2021) – On November 15^th at Impact Hub in Yerevan, California Senator Anthony Portantino, along with officials from California and Armenia, officially presented and placed the seal of the new California Trade and Services Desk.

The California Trade and Services Desk was established to strengthen the economic partnership between Armenia and California, support efforts for mutual economic benefit, and encourage trade and investment by California and Armenian businesses. Yerevan is the first California International Trade and Services Desk to be established by the Newsom administration. California is home to the largest Armenian American community in the United States.

The ceremony was attended by RA High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan, RA Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan, RA Deputy Minister of Economy Arshak Aslanyan, Co-Founder of Impact Hub Sara Anjargolian and Raffi Kassarjian, CEO of the Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises. Evan Reade from Office of California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, Emily Desai and Jonathan Zeigler from Office of California Governor Gavin Newsom, joined virtually.

“It was a great day to be in Yerevan and to have participated in moving forward with the new California Trade and Services Desk at Impact Hub,” stated Senator Portantino. “Economic cooperation between California and Armenia is vital and the trade desk will help improve current economic activity and generate more in the coming years.”

“As a former Angeleno and elected official in the state of California, I am proud to be a part of this new partnership,” said RA High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs. “I believe that the Trade and Services Desk will serve as a gateway for innovation, increased business relations and travel between Armenia and California.”

Jonathan Zeigler from the Office of California Governor Gavin Newsom will be the Trade Desk’s representative in Armenia.