Useful resources

The SME Cooperation Association unites people who believe that resources and opportunities are not the only determinants of success with a mission to create a society where any citizen who has an idea and is determined to make it a reality has the opportunity to launch their own small business, develop it, operate ethically within the law, be profitable, and aim for continuous development. SMECA NGO was established in 2014 by professionals with many years of experience in the SME sector to focus its efforts on protecting SME interests. Since its establishment, the Association has garnered more than 500 members, and implemented many local and international programs and projects. Currently, the SME Association is the co-founder of IRIS Business Incubator, co-chairs the NA-SME Council under the NA Committee on Economic Affairs, and is a member of 14 public councils.

Enterprise Armenia (former National Center of Small and Medium Entrepreneurship Development of Armenia) strives to be a trusted partner for investors seeking to take advantage of the many opportunities that Armenia has to offer. Its mission is to foster a supportive environment for both foreign and domestic investors, positioning Armenia as a highly desirable investment destination on the global stage.

The Investment Council (IC) of Armenia has been established in 2007 based on the memorandum between the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Government of Armenia. IC Armenia serves as a public-private dialogue platform between the Government of Armenia and SME Associations targeted at the development of business-oriented legislative reforms and operates through monthly sub-council meetings led by the Minister of Economy, quarterly council meetings led by the Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia. IC Armenia is supported by the EBRD and funded by the UK Government's Good Governance Fund (GGF).

RUEA is a non-profit, non-governmental organization representing the interests of employers in Armenia. It carries out business promotion and socio-economic development programs. RUEA is the only official social partner in Armenia, together with the Government and the Confederation of Trade Unions of Armenia, in the framework of the Tripartite Collective Agreement.

DICA aims to support business development and consolidation of the economy of Armenia becoming a reliable and trustworthy partner for entrepreneurs, as well as to keep and consolidate the credence of present customers and make the crediting process for potential customers easy and available.

The Export Insurance Agency of Armenia provides insurance against financial losses incurred as non-payment by a foreign buyer or by a bank obligated to pay on behalf of a foreign buyer for goods supplied by RA resident exporting companies. The provided insurance services are an effective solution for clients' export risk management.

The Intellectual Property Office of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia (IPO) is the state body granting patents for inventions and industrial designs and registering trademarks and geographical indications in Armenia.

The National Accreditation Body ensures the implementation of the accreditation process, in particular, accepts and registers the accreditation application, carries out the examination of accreditation documents, assessment of conformity.

National Body of Standardu and Metrology ensures uniformity of measurements in Armenia, which is the main pillar of the quality infrastructure of the national economy. The company carries out metrological control of diverse types of equipment: calibration, examination, testing and type approval.

ANIF was established in 2019 with a mandate to consolidate and effectively manage the ownership of Armenian state-owned enterprises, to promote export growth and investments in Armenia by providing co-financing in large-scale projects at their initial stage of development. ANIF’s mission is to support and empower Armenia’s economic development potential, to explore, identify and help develop investment and business opportunities for the mutual benefit of the Armenian people, the country and its investors.

Established in 2022 and registered and licensed by the Central Bank of Armenia, ARFI helps achieve investment goals. ARFI operates an innovative investment crowdfunding platform for delivering exceptional investment experiences.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Armenia was founded in 2002․ Functioning as a non-profit and non-commercial organization, the Chamber represents the interests and the framework of SME activities embracing all business areas including industry, local and foreign trade, agriculture, financial system and other directions.

The Market Surveillance Inspection Body is a body subordinate to the Government that carries out control and other functions defined by law, which applies measures of responsibility in the areas of non-food products, precious metals and ensures the uniformity of measurements by the law.

“National Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship” State Non-Commercial Organization was formed in 2009. The Center implements innovative and entrepreneurship processes, supporting to the preparation and implementation of innovative ideas, projects.

The Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia with the current structure was formed as a result of the unification of the Ministry of Economic Development and Investments and the Ministry of Agriculture in 2019.

This website brings together the electronic governance tools and databases of the Armenian state agencies as well as provides comfortable environment for their use.

Development and Investments Corporation of Armenia contributes to the development of enterprises and industries of strategic importance for the Armenian economy and the balanced development of the Armenian communities.

Programmes to address the economic impact of COVID-19 for Armenian SMEs can be found here presented by loan purposes.

The State Revenue Committee is a tax and customs authority established under the RA laws “On Tax Service,” “On Customs Regulations” and “On Customs Service.”

EU4Environment is helping Armenia finalise the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) laws, raise awareness campaigns, apply Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) in SME activities, strengthen green regulations for enterprises and compliance assurance, reinforce policy dialogues on green finance and investment, assess and reinforce administrative capacity and develop Green Growth Indicators (GGIs).

The European Union’s EU4Digital Initiative supports the digital reform agenda in Armenia to promote key areas of the digital economy and society in line with EU norms and practices, to bring economic growth, generate more jobs, improve people’s lives and help businesses. It aims to improve online services for Armenian citizens, at better prices and with greater choice, attract investments, boost trade and employment as well as strengthen cooperation with EU Member States and within the Eastern Partnership.

Horizon Europe is the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation. It tackles climate change, helps to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and boosts the EU’s competitiveness and growth. Within the Global Support Service Facility, it facilitates a stronger participation of the 5 EaP countries making resources available to help increase participation in Horizon Europe.

Erasmus+ is the EU programme that supports international collaboration actions in the fields of Education, Training, Youth and Sport through mobility and cooperation, being more inclusive, more digital, and greener.

EU4Youth aims to actively involve young people from Eastern Partnership countries in policy dialogue and decision-making process. It provides substantial capacity-building support to key stakeholders of the youth sector and promotes networking, exchange, and mutual learning between key state and non-state actors within the EaP region and relevant peer organisations from the European Union.

The project aims to support SMEs in the Eastern Partnership to become more competitive through digital transformation.

It seeks to:

- Develop the abilities of public and private sector actors to drive digital economic development. For this, it offers capacity-building workshops and study visits and supports the necessary research.
- Promote cross-border and regional cooperation and establish cooperation networks within the EaP.
- Support SMEs with implementing digital solutions for business and production processes in their companies.