NATIONAL CENTER OF DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES CONTINUES ITS PROJECTS ON SUPPORTING SME
ARMENPRESS
July 18, 2009
YEREVAN, JULY 18, ARMENPRESS: The National Center for Development of
Small and Medium-sized Enterprises continues its programs on supporting
small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in Armenia.
The Director of the center Ishkhan Karapetyan told Armenpress that
Armenian government pays a special attention to the development of
SME in Armenia, particularly, to the activity of the Center for
Development of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, which is an
institution implementing projects of state support.
According to him, in the 5-6 years of its activity the center has
developed a number of mechanisms and experience aimed at arranging the
support to SME more efficiently. Within the frames of its activity
the government provided the center with relevant resources, which
contributed to the implementation of a number of business projects.
Particularly, support of 1, 7 billion Drams has already been displayed
for the implementation of nearly 10 business projects. The SME Support
Operative Headquarter adjusted to the Armenian Prime Minister approved
it. A number of producers in the spheres of cans, sand-polymer tiles,
textile and informational technologies are among those provided
with support.
"We have about 15-20 projects waiting for financing within the frames
of about 3, 5 billion Drams," I. Karapetian noted.
He said that the crisis influenced on the centre’s activity, its works
have essentially increased. The analysis of a semester has shown that
the number of SME applying to the center for support has increased
by 25-30 % over the same period of the last year.
According to I. Karapetyan, the drafting of correct business projects
is very important for getting financial support from the center.
As to June 1, over 5000 applications for support were received, about
2000 were provided with support for the first time, and about 1500
received support in several program directions; they were provided with
consultation, information and trainings besides the financial support.
At present the Center for Development of SME has 10
provincial branches, 8 representations, the central office is
in Yerevan. I. Karapetyan attached importance to the extension
of provincial offices and missions noting that in such a way the
work with SME is being facilitated, as it is difficult to implement
different support programs for different provinces from one country.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress