For a Better Business Environment
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American Chamber Of Commerce in Armenia
September 2017 AmCham is an independent business association operating in Armenia since 2000. AmCham represents the interests of more than 100 member companies from almost all sectors of the economy. AmCham’s goal is to enhance US-Armenia business relations and improve business and investment climate in the country. AmCham is a member of US Chamber of Commerce and European Council of American Chambers of Commerce. AmCham is pleased to have also British, French and other European companies as members.
CONTACT US 1 Amiryan St., Armenia Marriott Hotel, 3rd floor, room 315, 317, Yerevan 0010, RA Email: info@amcham.am/ amcham@arminco.com Tel: (+374 10) 599 187 (+374 10) 599 902 Visit our page: www.amcham.am
PUBLISHED AND DESIGNED BY AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN ARMENIA
GM BREAKFAST MEETING TALKS AmCham Executive Office was pleased to host several company executives during its regular breakfast meetings held on 5 and 26 September 2017. The attendees from the following member companies were present at the event: American University of Armenia, Grant Thornton Armenia, Opera Suite Hotel, Hovhannisyan & Partners, Phillip Morris Armenia, RSM International, QSI International School of Yerevan, Publicis Hepta Armenia, NASDAQ OMX Armenia, Filuet Armenia, Microsoft Armenia, and Enterprise Rent-a-Car, a new AmCham member. As a non-member companies, AmCham hosted the executives of Smart Gate VC, TonTon Invest, Lilly Diabetes, and Limitless Hedge Fund, which later became AmCham’s GOLD Member (see Welcoming New Members section).
AMCHAM “BE MY GUEST” WITH THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ARMENIA In the scope of AmCham’s “Be My Guest” series, on 8 September 2017, the American University of Armenia (AUA) hosted several AmCham members for a site visit and meeting with the AUA leadership. The AUA executive team: AUA Provost Dr. Randall Rhodes; Vice President of Finance, Gevorg Goyunyan; and Admissions Director, Arina Zohrabian, provided their assistance during the tour at the University. The participants had the opportunity to visit AUA’s AGBU Papazian Library, newly opened Entrepreneurship and Product Innovation Center (EPIC), College of Humanities and Social Sciences, newly installed solar panels, and much more. Later, AUA President, Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian welcomed the guests and talked about history of the university and various achievement. Provost Dr. Randall Rhodes and Extension Director, Sergey Tantushyan were among the speakers who introduced the growing number of academic programs, and the special discounts for the courses offered by the Extension to AmCham members.
AmCham Advocacy News “UNLOCKING EXPORT POTENTIAL TO THE US: GENERALIZED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES” On 13 September 2017, “Unlocking Export Potential to the US: Generalized System of Preferences” event was organized by the U.S. Embassy in Armenia jointly with AmCham. During the event, the participants heard key remarks from H.E. Richard M. Mills, Jr., the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, and Mr. Garegin Melkonyan, the First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Investments. In his remarks, U.S. Ambassador Richard Mills underscored that the goal of the U.S. delegation is to demonstrate real results for U.S.-Armenia trade relations by raising awareness in the Armenian business community about the benefits of GSP. “We hear from many Armenian businesses leaders that they don’t know about GSP and don’t know enough about who is qualified and how it works. The delegation is here with us today to share information on how Armenia can unlock its export potential to the United States by fully utilizing GSP,” Ambassador Mills noted. Mr. Edward Gresser, Assistant US Trade Representative for Trade Policy and Economics, shared the benefits of GSP program, which allows Armenian companies to take advantage of preferential duty-free access to the U.S market. This GSP conference is an outcome of the U.S. government’s commitments under the U.S.-Armenia Council on Trade and Investment. For more information on the GSP program, visit: https://am.usembassy.gov/business/gettingstarted-usa/.
AMCHAM AND OVERSEAS SECURITY ADVISORY COUNCIL (OSAC) On 14 September 2017, the U.S. Embassy in Armenia and AmCham organized an information session on the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) of the U.S. Department of State. During the session, participants heard from Mr. Rafik Mansour, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Armenia; Ms. Amanda Philpot, Regional Security Officer; and Mr. Joseph Benyam, OSAC Europe Program Officer, on the importance and benefits that OSAC provides to American companies around the world. Based on feedback from AmCham members, we will establish an AmCham-OSAC Council in Armenia. The AmCham-OSAC Council will promote an open dialogue and information exchange on security issues between the U.S. Government and American companies in Armenia. The AmCham-OSAC platform will arm AmCham’s American companies with access to OSAC security networks, security-related research and analysis, threat notification, and country council meetings and events. More to come on this AmCham-OSAC initiative!
MEETING WITH THE CENTER FOR STRATEGIC INITIATIVES On 19 September 2017, Center for Strategic Initiatives (CSI) hosted selective AmCham members for a round-table discussion on gaps, improvements in the tax and customs and barriers to trade. The purpose of the meeting was to provide a platform that will allow CSI to solicit feedback from AmCham members regarding constraints businesses are experiencing on tax, customs and overall “barriers to trade” fronts. Aleksandr Khachaturyan presented CSI’s proposals towards attracting ceritifed professional workforce from abroad and incentives for employees through the compensation of the part of income tax amount paid for the cerified specialists. Another pilot project CSI proposed was elaboration of alternative mechanisms of VAT payments when importing raw materials. Problem of taxation on food delivery was also highlighted. As a result of this discussion, AmCham resubmitted its alternative taxation proposal and communicated the concerns members had for further discussion and consideration.
Upcoming Events Calendar
MEETING WITH US CONGRESSWOMAN, MS. JACKIE SPEIER
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On 20 September 2017, several AmCham board members and the Ex-Officio member from the U.S. Embassy had a business breakfast with Ms. Jackie Speier, U.S. Representative for California's 14th congressional district, who has been serving in Congress since 2008. The purpose of the discussion was to hear the voice of business community in Armenia in regards to the challenges that hinder and opportunities that would allow further advancement of the Armenian economy.
Oct 17
Arbitration Awareness: Resolving Business Disputes – Think about Your Options
Oct 27
Be My Guest with Megerian Carpets Armenia
Nov 17
2017 Annual General Meeting
For more information, please contact the AmCham office
MASTERCLASS FOR AMCHAM MEMBERS: "BECOMING A CYBER HERO" On 28 September 2017, AmCham in partnership with IE Business School (URL: https://www.ie.edu/es/business-school/) hosted AmCham members at masterclass “Becoming a Cyber Hero,” led by professor Tomás de Lara Aguilar, cybersecurity expert with an extensive experience of developing strategies for organizations to secure them from cyber-attacks and challenges. The participants learned about the current threats and avoidance strategies and networked during the reception.
GOLD Member
Welcoming New Members!