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California lawmakers launch Select Committee to deepen ties with Armenia
Summary
State legislators held the inaugural meeting of the Select Committee on California and Armenia Mutual Trade, Art, and Cultural Exchange, hearing from Armenian diplomats, the lieutenant governor, state trade officials and business founders about trade growth, cultural projects and civil‑rights concerns affecting Armenian Americans.
The Select Committee on California and Armenia Mutual Trade, Art, and Cultural Exchange held its first hearing, with Chair Haribedian opening the session and urging the legislature to convert existing agreements into concrete partnerships that spur jobs, investment and cultural exchanges.
Panelists included H. G. Naruk Makarchian, Armenia's ambassador to the United States (video remarks); Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis; Consul General Anna Avatessian (Los Angeles); Tricia Utterback of GO‑Biz; and private‑sector and civic leaders from Glendale. The committee heard presentations on the state’s 2019 framework agreement with Armenia, the California trade desk in Yerevan, and recent two‑way trade gains.
"Over the past year, Armenia is building a new chapter of bilateral relations," Ambassador Makarchian said in prerecorded remarks, urging California to move MOUs toward concrete projects. Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis noted the diaspora’s role, saying, "it is estimated that more than 1,000,000 people of Armenian descent live in our state," a figure she used to argue California has unique reach and responsibility in developing this relationship.
Lawmakers and panelists emphasized next steps beyond ceremonial ties: boosting state funding for incubators and trade outreach, arranging delegations to Yerevan, coordinating academic exchanges, and clarifying procurement and supplier‑diversity rules so Armenian‑owned businesses can compete for state contracts. Chair Haribedian closed the hearing by thanking participants and promising continued work and follow‑up hearings.
