SACRAMENTO, CA – Testifying before the California State Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and International Trade on Wednesday, April 3, 2002, the Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region expressed its strong support of Senate Bill 1657 introduced by Senator Jack Scott (Pasadena). The bill would require the Governor to instruct the Secretary of the Technology, Trade and Commerce Agency to establish an international trade and commerce office in Yerevan, in the Republic of Armenia, to serve the regions of Eastern Europe and Western Asia.

ANCA-WR Board Member Berdj Karapetian submitted testimony outlining for members of the committee the benefits of facilitating increased trade between the Republic of Armenia and the State of California through the establishment of the trade office. Senator Scott and Karapetian recently returned from a mission to Armenia. The ANCA-WR organized the mission with Senator Scott to explore ways to further cooperation between California and Armenia as well as to find ways to actualize the concept of a California Trade Office. While in Armenia the delegation met with government officials and various industry leaders and focused discussions on strengthening economic ties—an area of intense activity for Senator Scott and the ANCA-WR.

Since his election to the State Senate, Senator Scott and the ANCA-WR cooperated actively in advancing the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between California and Armenia, as a means of arriving at the creation of a publicly funded Trade office in Armenia.

“The natural link that exists between California and Armenia lies in the connection of Armenian Americans, who have made California their home for generations, and the people of Armenia,” said Karapetian “This connection translates into a number of tangible benefits for California businesses…and can only be enhanced with the establishment of a California Trade Office.”

The bill has also been co-authored by Senators Mike Machado (Linden), Bob Margett (Arcadia), Dick Monteith (Modesto), Chuck Poochigian (Fresno), and Jackie Speier (San Francisco). The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.