MONTHLY №7 NEWSLETTER for a Better Business Environment July 2019 AmCham is an independent INDEPENDENCE DAY AT U.S. EMBASSY business association operating in Armenia since 2000. AmCham represents the interests of 140+ On 2 July, 2019, RA government, National Assembly members, AmCham member company representatives, AmCham board members, member companies from almost the U.S. Embassy in Armenia staff, international donor organizations, all sectors of the economy. media representatives and other honored guests were invited to the U.S. AmCham’s goal is to enhance Embassy to celebrate the 243rd anniversary of the independence of the the US-Armenia business United States of America. relations and improve the During the event the guests enjoyed the evening with Motown music, business and investment climate American food and fireworks. in the country. The Chamber is At the event, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Deborah Grieser reaffirmed U.S. pleased to have both local support for democratic development in Armenia. “It has been exciting to companies and companies from be here in Armenia over the past year to see Armenians forge a new democratic path,” she said. “The United States is committed to all over the world among its continuing to work with our Armenian partners across all sectors of members. AmCham Armenia is society to ensure that the democratic vision of the Armenian people is a member of US Chamber of realized.” Commerce and European In her remarks, Chargé Grieser also noted the important role America’s Council of American Chambers third president, Thomas Jefferson, played in the founding of the United of Commerce. States, and highlighted his understanding that revolution was only the starting point of effecting change. The Embassy was pleased to welcome Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan as the guest of honor. CONTACT US 1 Amiryan St., Armenia Marriott Hotel Yerevan, 3rd floor, room 315, 317, Yerevan 0010, RA Email: [email protected] / [email protected] Tel: (+374 10) 599 902 (+374 55) 599 187 Visit our page: www.amcham.am PUBLISHED AND DESIGNED BY AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN ARMENIA AMCHAM BOARD MEMBER MS. DIANA GAZIYAN Please, meet Ms. Diana Gaziyan, who has been serving on the AmCham Board since 2018. Currently, she holds a position of the Head of Communications at HSBC Bank Armenia, covering Armenian and Russian markets. Her professional background includes working in the government, international development projects supporting decentralization reforms in the country, child protection, and advocacy. From 2008- 2016, Ms. Gaziyan was the AmCham Executive Director. In the AmCham history Ms. Gaziyan served the longest time period as an Executive Director and led significant changes and developments in the organization. She also teaches “Art of negotiation” course at the AUA extension program. Ms. Gaziyan holds MPA degree from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and MS degree in Management from New York University (NYU). Her hobbies are reading, attending gym, and collecting Christmas ornaments and charms. KARAS FEST - FRIEND'S DAY On 27 July, 2019, AmCham member Karas Wines (Tierras De Armenia CJSC) organized the Karas Fest to celebrate International Friendship Day at Karas Vineyards. The evening was full of Armenian wine with music bands and DJs playing in the background. Guests received little gifts from the organizers and later on enjoyed a breathtaking view of a beautiful sunset in a great atmosphere. Since 2002, Karas Wines, wineries and vineyards have been family-owned and a family-run projects. Their commitment is to make the highest-quality wines and it goes beyond the care they take in managing the vineyards and wineries. That philosophy also is extended to the Armavir local community, customers, grower partners and to the team. Karas, the winery name, means ‘amphora’ in Armenian, a sacred wine-making clay vessel which was used here for 6,000 years. Sustainability, family, tradition and expertise come together at Karas Wines; an Armenian winery seated under the eternal gaze of Mount Ararat. Their mission is to produce world-class vintages from their own vineyards in Armavir, Armenia. TRIP TO COAF SMART CENTER On 12 July, 2019 the AmCham Executive Team visited COAF SMART Center, which was opened in May 2018 in Lori Province. The COAF SMART is the world’s most innovative initiative for the advancement of rural communities. The COAF SMART Center seeks to empower the youth in the rural areas of Armenia through passing them the resources and opportunities to explore their intellectual curiosities and push the boundaries through novel holistic approach focusing on providing modern technological resources, encouraging idea collaboration and maintaining the highest quality instruction standards for critical thinking-based education in health, arts, sciences and renewable energy. The COAF SMART can help reverse the effects of poverty and provide rural Armenians with an access to the opportunities to achieve their unique potentials. DID YOU KNOW? US Independence Day Since 1776, 4th of July is celebrated as the Independence Day of the United States. More than two centuries ago thirteen colonies were declared free from the British monarchy. The Independence Day of the United States is one of the most remarkable holidays for the American nation. People celebrate this day with various games, carnivals, picnics, fireworks and major events. The U. S. Independence Day is celebrated in Armenia as well. Each year, on July 4th the U. S. Embassy to Armenia organizes a great Independence Day celebration event. BE MY GUEST WITH JERMUK GROUP On 20 July, 2019, in the scope of AmCham “Be My Guest” series, AmCham members were invited to Jermuk Group in the city of Jermuk, Vayots Dzor Province. Jermuk Group is the leading producer of mineral and natural spring waters in the Armenian market. It is a trustworthy and reliable company not only in Armenia but also abroad. Jermuk mineral water production started in 1951. Today Jermuk is exported to the USA, Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, EU countries, Israel and many other countries. Jermuk Group organized a plant tour with a short presentation in the company’s state of the art bottling operation. All AmCham members enjoyed the coffee break with tasty snacks and the networking over a delicious lunch. .