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Yerevan Hosts Inaugural Armenia-UK Business Forum 2026
Yerevan, Armenia, October 8, 2026 – The first-ever Armenia-United Kingdom Business Forum 2026 successfully concluded on October 6 at the Dvin Music Hall in Yerevan. The event served as a pivotal platform, uniting approximately 2,000 representatives from governmental, business, and professional circles of both nations with the objective of fostering new business ties and initiatives.
The forum, themed ‘Building Bridges for Capital, Talent, and Innovation,’ aimed to transform cooperation between Armenia and the UK into tangible business connections and ventures. Participants included high-level representatives from the Armenian government, the Central Bank, international financial and development institutions, the British diplomatic mission, leading companies, and educational and scientific establishments.
Key Objectives and Perspectives
Alexander Shaghikyan, Chairman of the Board of the Oxford Alumni Business Club of Armenia, highlighted the synergistic potential between the two countries. “The United Kingdom possesses extensive experience in finance, world-class universities, and research capabilities, while Armenia stands out with its entrepreneurial and technological potential and its diaspora. The combination of these elements can create real opportunities, ranging from new investments and market access to the commercialization of research outcomes. This objective is precisely what the forum’s motto – ‘Building Bridges for Capital, Talent, Talent, and Innovation’ – embodies,” Shaghikyan stated in his opening speech.
Hayk Karapetyan, Head of the Organizing Committee of the Armenia-UK Business Forum 2026, emphasized the untapped potential in Armenia-UK economic relations. “Our ambition is for this forum to become one of the platforms that will consistently uncover this potential and shape new directions in the Armenian-British business agenda,” he noted.
Economic Agenda: Finance, Investment, and Market Access
A central focus of the forum’s economic agenda was access to capital, attracting investments, and opportunities for entering new markets. Sir Howard Davies, a prominent figure in the British financial sector, presented insights into the prospects of Armenian-British financial and investment cooperation. Discussions on this topic also included Martin Galstyan, Chairman of the Central Bank of Armenia; Vahe Hovhannisyan, Minister of Finance of Armenia; and representatives from the EBRD, the World Bank, ICBC Standard Bank, and other key institutions.
Particular attention was given to practical mechanisms for investments and international financing in Armenia. UK Export Finance (UKEF) outlined financing opportunities available for Armenia, while “Enterprise Armenia” presented investment proposals. Investment opportunities within the framework of Yerevan’s urban development programs were also showcased. Discussions on infrastructure, trade, and export financing involved representatives from Armenian state bodies, the World Bank, EBRD, UKEF, and the private sector.
Technological Collaboration and Innovation
Technological cooperation was another pivotal direction of the forum. Dr. Alex Konnock, a senior researcher at the Saïd Business School of Oxford University, delivered a presentation on the impact of agency artificial intelligence on the media business and marketing. The AI & Deep Tech discussion centered on the commercialization of research, the growth of technology companies, and opportunities for entering international markets. Participants in these discussions included David Tadevosyan, Minister of High-Tech Industry and Artificial Intelligence of Armenia, as well as representatives from Armenian and international technology companies.
Organizers and Future Outlook
The Armenia-UK Business Forum 2026 was organized by the Oxford Alumni Business Club of Armenia (OABCA) in collaboration with the Armenian government, specifically the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sport, “Enterprise Armenia,” and the British-Armenian Chamber of Commerce (BACC).
The forum’s success underscores a strong commitment from both nations to deepen economic ties and explore new avenues for collaboration across various sectors, particularly in finance and technology. The event is expected to pave the way for increased investment, innovation, and mutual growth in the coming years.
Source: https://how2b.am/armenia-uk/
