AmCham Monthly Newsletter №8 2019

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MONTHLY â„–8 NEWSLETTER for a Better Business Environment

August 2019 AmCham is an independent business association operating in Armenia since 2000. AmCham represents the interests of 140+ member companies from almost all sectors of the economy.

AmCham’s goal is to enhance the US-Armenia business relations and improve the business and investment climate in the country. The Chamber is pleased to have both local companies and companies from all over the world among its members. AmCham Armenia is a member of US Chamber of Commerce and European Council of American Chambers of Commerce.

CONTACT US 1 Amiryan St., Armenia Marriott Hotel Yerevan, 3rd floor, room 315, 317, Yerevan 0010, RA Email: info@amcham.am / events@amcham.am 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

FMCG 1ST COMMITTEE MEETING On 16 August, 2019 the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) Committee 1st meeting took place at the Armenia Marriott Hotel Yerevan.

AmCham board members and representatives from AmCham member companies discussed the FMCG AmCham Committee mission and objectives, the rules and procedures, after which the executive team introduced the Committee Set-up quick guide.

During the meeting, elections of FMCG Committee chair and co-chairs were held. Elina Markaryan, Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company Armenia, was elected as a Chair of the FMCG Committee, Maria Sahakyan, Jermuk Group and Lilit Gevorgyan, Philip Morris Armenia were elected as co-Chairs.

AmCham member 7 company representatives participated in the meeting: Elina Markaryan, Anahit Tunyan, Lusine Mnatsakanyan, Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company Armenia, Karen Garaseferyan, JTI Armenia, Catalina Susan, Armenia Marriott Hotel Yerevan, Irina Chaltikyan, McCann Erickson, Maria Sahakyan, Jermuk Group, Lilit Gevorgyan, Philip Morris Armenia, Nune Stepanyan, Pepsi-Cola Bottler Armenia, Ara Khzmalyan, ADWISE Business and Legal Consulting.

The FMCG 1st Committee will play a significant role for developing strategic actions with main focus on Sustainable Packaging and Waste Management (SPWM).

On 14 October, 2019 AmCham seminar on SPWM will be organized by the FMCG Committee with participation of international experts, Government of Armenia representatives, producers, media and other interested parties.

AMCHAM BOARD MEMBER MR. KAREN GARASEFERYAN Please meet Mr. Karen Garaseferyan, who has been serving as an AmCham Board member since 2016. Mr. Garaseferyan has been re-elected to AmCham Board for a two-year term in 2018.

Currently Mr. Garaseferyan holds the position of Corporate Affairs and Communications Lead at the Armenian office of the Japan Tobacco International, one of the leading multinational tobacco companies in the world. He is responsible for a wide range of activities, including Government and Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Relations, Public Affairs, Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility practices in line with the company priorities and policies.

Mr. Garaseferyan holds MBA degree from the Rotterdam School of Management and possesses long-term project management and consulting experience in business development, operations and transformation management. His career spans from working at USAID’s contractor organizations and Swiss Development Cooperation contractor to Management and Business Consulting in Telecom and FMCG. As a hobby he prefers travelling, hiking and sports/tennis.

BE MY GUEST WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY ARMENIA On 16 August, 2019 AmCham Be My Guest took place at Norogi Resource Center established by Habitat for Humanity Armenia.

Norogi Resource Center is founded within “Restoring Living Conditions in Armenia” project implemented by Habitat Armenia. The main objective of the center is to improve low and middle-income families’ living conditions by suggesting low-cost household goods, furniture and building materials – new and used, remodeled and refurnished.

During the event, the organizers of the event represented the project of Norogi Resource Center and their mission, after which they gave away handmade cup coasters and other gifts. The event was concluded with drinks and snacks to celebrate the Norogi Resource Center 1-year anniversary.

AMCHAM MEMBERS – GLOBAL CITIZEN FORUM (GCF) MEETING

On August 27, 2019 AmCham members had a meeting with the representatives of Global Citizen Forum (GCF) Mr. Oliver Sodeik and Mr. Vladimir Tchountoulov.

The Global Citizen Forum is a social action platform built on a community of leaders committed to improving the state of global citizenship for the generations to come.

Next year, the GCF will take place in Yerevan. The GCF is under the patronage of President Mr. Armen Sargsyan office in cooperation with GCF senior management and famous speakers, distinguished guests, journalists, anchors, comedians and actors to be visiting Armenia to participate in the Forum.

The Forum representatives introduced to the AmCham members mutually beneficial cooperation and partnership opportunities for critical thinking-based education in health, arts, sciences and renewable energy.

DID YOU KNOW? International Youth Day On August 12, 1999, UN General Assembly designated International Youth Day. Its purpose was bringing youth issues to the attention of the international community and celebrating the potential of youth as partners in today’s global society.

International Youth Day in Armenia is celebrated in various ways. This year’s theme was “Transforming Education”. It highlighted the efforts to make education more inclusive and accessible for all youth, including efforts by youth themselves. Ways are being sought how the Governments, young people, youth-led and targeted organizations and other stakeholders are transforming education so it becomes a powerful tool to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

GRAPE BLESSING DAY WITH ARMENIA WINE COMPANY On August 19, 2019 AmCham Member Armenia Wine Company organized a festival for celebrating the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The event started with the grape blessing ceremony and a wine tasting. During the event guests enjoyed marvelous performances by “Michael Voskanyan and Friends” band, "Taronants" folk dance group and music by DJ Vakcina.

On August 18, the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the holiday of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Steeped in history and tradition the feast predates Christianity, and has its roots in pagan times. However, today the blessing of the grapes has turned into a religious ceremony dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It is the day when grapes are taken to the church as a “forbidden fruit” and are brought out blessed. By blessing the grape Armenian priests also bless the harvest and the whole country.