IDeA, SME Development Center to aid businesses in Tatev, Dilijan

PanARMENIAN.Net - Initiatives for Development of Armenia (IDeA) foundation and the SME Development National Center signed on Thursday, June 18 a memorandum of understanding and cooperation to provide support to entrepreneurship in Tatev, Dilijan and adjoining communities, ARKA reports citing the press office of SME Development National Center.

The parties expressed readiness to cooperate within Support to Young Entrepreneurs program envisaging comprehensive support to small businesses in the indicated regions.

The memorandum was signed by IDeA general director Armen Gevorgyan and executive director of SME development center Gegham Petrosyan.

Gevorgyan said Tatev Revival project and the construction of Wings of Tatev ropeway have considerably boosted tourism in these regions.

He also noted that they were happy to cooperate with the SME support national center to help develop B&B hotels in these communities. Loan funds as well as professional advice are important for local entrepreneurs to properly conduct their businesses, he said. Joint efforts will help create new jobs and raise living standard in these communities, he added.

According to the head of SME Development National Center Gegham Petrosyan, Tatev and Dilijan are hot touristic routes that could benefit from more new infrastructures, guest houses, etc.

As part of state programs, together with international partners, the center provides support to entrepreneurs for starting new guest houses or developing the existing ones, Petrosyan said.

IDeA was established by the entrepreneurs and philanthropists Ruben Vardanyan and Veronika Zonabend. It focuses on programs assisting Armenia in transition from survival model to prosperity model. IDeA is committed to promoting social entrepreneurship in Armenia through investments in long-term, non-profit projects, as well as ensuring their sustainability.

It implements large-scale charitable initiatives in Armenia, Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) and the Armenian Diaspora which strive to preserve historical and cultural heritage of the Armenian people and revitalize the nation in an ever-changing world. Among the flagship projects of IDeA Foundation are UWC Dilijan, Tatev Revival, reconstruction of St. George Cathedral in Tbilisi, Dilijan Development project and many others.

The SME Development National Center was established in Armenia in 2002, in accordance with the government’s decision, to establish links between government bodies and SMEs, enhance efficiency and competitiveness of small and midscale businesses, help them get funds and implement innovative programs.