Rethinking Armenia’s Place in the Greater Middle East: Trade Dynamics, Labor Mobility, and Strategic Opportunities

Armenia’s ties with the Arab world, particularly the GCC, have grown but remain narrow, unstable, and concentrated in the UAE as a re-export hub. This limits diversification and heightens vulnerability. Wider regional potential is largely unused, calling for a subregional, strategy-driven approach. Human capital emerges as a key asset: Armenian specialists are highly skilled, adaptable, and in demand across GCC sectors such as IT, engineering, medicine, and renewable energy. Developing training, certification, and coordinated labor programs would support structured labor mobility, circular migration, and knowledge transfer. Together, these steps can strengthen Armenia’s economic resilience, deepen cooperation, and create long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships.