Business Internationalization

Support programs of the SME Development National Center of Armenia, cover a broad range of actions targeted to enhance the foreign economic activities of SMEs and business internationalization.  In the scope of rendered support services, the assistance to SMEs is provided in the following directions:

• Export Promotion;
• Foreign contacts establishment and cooperation;
• Participation in the fairs organized abroad;
• Testing, improvement and commercialization of innovative initiatives of SMEs on international scene;  
• Consultancy on products conformity with international standards to enter foreign markets;
• Consultancy and information provision on legislative regulations for economic activities abroad both in Armenia, EU, other countries as well. 

The above-mentioned directions of the SME Development National Center support programs are indicated in the SME state support annual programs, as well as in the scope of expanded cooperation with  international/foreign organizations .  


Enterprise Europe Network

The Enterprise Europe Network is a new European initiative, aimed at providing innovation and business support to all businesses across the European Union and beyond.

Launched in February by European Commission Network comprises close to 600 partners in over 44 countries offering a wide range of services to businesses.

The Network offers support and advice to businesses across Europe and helps them make the most of the opportunities in the European Union. Our services are specifically designed for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), but are also available to all businesses, research centers and universities across Europe. 

Starting from 2008 SME Development National Center of Armenia has become a member of Enterprise Europe Network as a result of the tender announced by European Commission to select partner organizations and currently acts as Enterprise Europe Network Correspondence Center in Armenia.


Development Cooperation Matchmaking Facility Programme/MMF Programme

The Development Cooperation Matchmaking Facility Programme (MMF Programme) is implemented by Dutch Agency for International Business and Cooperation (EVD), and the activities are aimed at the involvement in the projects of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) operating in different areas which are currently being performed by the SME Development National Center of Armenia.
 
MMF Programme assists to establish business links between Dutch companies and SMEs operating in different countries over the world with a view to the development of their entrepreneurial potential and expansion the scope of business activities. To read more

ORIO (Facility for Infrastructure Development)

ORIO (Facility for Infrastructure Development) contributes to the development, implementation and exploitation of public infrastructure in developing countries (including Armenia).

Ideas for projects are identified by consortiums made up of the national government concerned and private sector actors.

The assessment process will consider the extent to which projects are demand driven and development related, and the level of involvement from SMEs (Small and medium-sized enterprises). Preferably, the choice of sectors will relate directly to areas in which Dutch companies have distinctive knowledge and expertise.

In the phase of development the intermediate result agreement is made. If intermediate results are not achieved, or if otherwise the acceptable developments should occur, the project will be halted. If intermediate result is achieved the co-operation will last during the entire process, including operation and maintenance, and 35% would be co-financed.

Maximum total project budget should be between €2mln and €60mln. Read more
For more information visit www.evd.nl.

Private Sector Investment Program (PSI)

The Private Sector Investment Program (PSI) is a program of the Dutch government that supports innovative investment projects in emerging markets.

The goal of PSI is to promote sustainable development by means of stimulating innovative pilot investments in developing countries. By doing this, the Government of Netherlands aims to contribute to poverty reduction through the creation of economic activity, employment and better income.

A PSI project is an investment project, executed by Dutch (or foreign) company in cooperation with a local company, in one of the developing countries. 50% (max €750.000) of project will be co-financed by PSI. Read more

More information about PSI can be found on the website of EVD www.evd.nl/psi.

USTDA (United States Trade and Development Agency)

USTDA (United States Trade and Development Agency) is an independent U.S. Government foreign assistance agency that is funded by the U.S. Congress.

Mission
USTDA Mission Statement is to promote economic growth in developing and middle income countries, while simultaneously helping American businesses to export their products and services.

Since greatly expanding its program in Europe and Eurasia with the political changes in 1990, USTDA has provided funding of over $300 million for studies and other assistance on many major infrastructure projects in Europe and the countries of the former Soviet Union.

USTDA assistance in the region is often focused on feasibility studies that help create long-term relationships between U.S. firms and their local counterparts that open the door to U.S exports.

With whom does USTDA work?
USTDA provides grants directly to foreign project sponsors. A foreign project sponsor is the local entity with the decision-making authority and ability to implement a project. The sponsor may be a government institution at the national, state/ provincial, or local level, or it may be a local private sector company. USTDA is open for business in more than 100 nations around the world. Read more
For more information visit official website of USTDA www.ustda.gov.

USEFUL INFORMATION

On December 9, 2008 the European Commission has approved the list of the countries which may use the "Generalized systems of preferences" (GSP+) trade mode from January 1st, 2009 until the end of 2011.

These are the countries, which may use the GSP+ mode: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mongolia, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Sri Lanka and Venezuela.

The GSP+ system provides the opportunity to export around 6400 description of goods to EU market with zero ор off-peak tariff (it is expected the reduction of tariffs on cigarettes – 52%, different natural juices-30%, fruits-20%, vegetables-14%, fish-20%, honey-17%).