2000-2002

In early 2000’s ICHD focused on supporting the just emerging business networks in Armenia promoting the interests of businesses. The local societies of business owners advocating on behalf of the business community in Armenia have been in the basic stage of their evolution in the beginning of the century. The regulation of the chambers of commerce emerged in late 2001, while the founding meeting of Armenia’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Armenian (CCI) has been convened a year later in April 2002. The CCI got privileges in organizing business exhibitions in Armenia, in particular International Exhibitions and Trade Fairs. Years should have passed before the CCI became the member of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), World Chambers Federation (ICC WCF), Eurochambres, Associations of the CCI of the Black Sea Zone and the Business Council of the Organizations of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation. Meanwhile, the major business association in Armenia in early 2000’s has been the Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia (UMBA, currently UMB(E)A) founded back in 1997, a member to various credible international organizations of business associations  and partner of many national business association in different countries. In this situation ICHD focused on promoting business relations among Armenian businesses and their potential partners in various countries.

In June 2000, ICHD convened the first Armenian - Korean Business Meetings and hosted representatives of a number of Korean businesses. Opportunities for investing in Armenian economy have been presented to the Korean businessmen and partnerships between the Armenian and Korean businesses have been established.

In February 2001, ICHD hosted the first Armenian - Spanish Business Forum. Investment opportunities and the overview on starting business in Armenia have been presented to the Spanish businessmen. Four months later, in June 2001, ICHD in cooperation with The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain, the Chamber of Commerce of Spain, the Mission of Armenia to Spain have organized the second Armenian - Spanish Business Forum in Madrid (launched on June 14, 2001) and in Valencia (launched on June 19, 2001). Over twenty enterprises represented the Armenian business community in the Forum. These companies promoted their products and services in the markets in Europe. ICHD has also presented the Armenian economy and business opportunities, as well as the regulatory and institutional frameworks on doing business in Armenia to the Spanish business community.

In collaboration with UMBA and supported by the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Armenia to Spain and Portugal H.E. Edward Khojayan, ICHD organized an Armenian - Portuguese Business Forum in Lisbon and Porto, Portugal in June 2002. Through the forum ICHD and UMBA have showcased Armenian businesses to Portuguese businessmen. The leading Armenian businesses participated in the Forum and introduced their products and services. Various B2B partnership agreements have been settled in the forum.