Armenia has extended an official proposal to China to establish joint ventures in the textile sector, aiming to leverage Chinese expertise and boost local industry development. The initiative was discussed during a high-level meeting between Armenia’s Ministry of Economy and a visiting delegation from the Shaoxing Keqiao Foreign Market Promotion Association—a region globally renowned for its textile manufacturing.
Deputy Minister of Economy Edgar Zakharyan led the Armenian delegation and emphasized China’s deep-rooted experience in the textile sector. He invited Chinese counterparts to explore investment opportunities in Armenia and collaborate on setting up joint textile enterprises.
Zakharyan highlighted Armenia’s evolving textile industry, the country’s supportive state policies, and plans to establish international-standard industrial zones that could host future joint operations. He underscored that bilateral cooperation could result in mutually beneficial partnerships, strengthening both economic ties and production capacity.
To enhance the visibility of Armenian textile products in the Chinese market, Zakharyan also invited Chinese trade officials to encourage Armenian participation in major international exhibitions in China.
Part of a Larger EU-Backed Initiative
The visit is taking place under the “Creating Sustainable Value Chains in the Textile and Agribusiness Sectors of Armenia” program, launched with the financial support of the European Union and implemented by the International Trade Center. As part of the program, the Chinese delegation is visiting major Armenian textile enterprises and participating in B2B business meetings aimed at exploring commercial partnerships.
Trade Trends and Challenges
The bilateral trade data between Armenia and China in January–February 2025 reflects significant shifts. According to official statistics, total trade turnover reached $383.7 million, a 22% decline compared to the same period in 2024. Armenian exports to China fell sharply by 75.9%, totaling $64.3 million, while imports from China surged 77.7%, amounting to $235.6 million.
Despite current trade imbalances, Armenian officials are hopeful that deepening sector-specific cooperation—particularly in textiles—could help offset these disparities and strengthen the economic partnership between the two nations.
