YEREVAN, OCTOBER 2, ARMENPRESS: The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), in cooperation with the European Union (EU) held a trade finance conference on October 1-2, to increase awareness and facilitate better access to the trade finance instruments for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Armenia.

During the conference, EBRD National Program Manager, Small Business Support team, Tigran Aghabekyan, made a presentation on “Know How. From Advice to Access to Finance” as a follow up of the Know How Information Campaign. 

Mr. Aghabekyan presented EBRD’s work to help businesses benefit from a professional business advice and know-how. The EBRD supports a range of projects in strategy, marketing, technology, engineering solutions, quality management, energy efficiency and environment, financial management by attracting local consultants, or through international advisers for companies ready to compete internationally. 

“We understand the value and benefits of good quality external advice. That’s why we also offer local consultants lots of opportunities for continuous professional development via our Grow Your Consulting Business training series. Trainings are comprised of six courses that share essential skills, resources and techniques for effective and impactful consulting as well as for running a successful consulting business” noted Mr. Aghabekyan in his presentation.

Mr. Aghabekyan also introduced the upcoming EBRD Women in Business Program, in the framework of which the EBRD will assist women-led enterprises to access finance, via dedicated credit lines with partner banks, and to access advice and know-how via tailored advisory services projects, entrepreneurial skills training courses, business coaching and mentoring. The Program will also develop sustainable credit mechanisms targeted to women-led enterprises through technical assistance to EBRD partner financial institutions. 

The launch of the Women in Business Program is expected in early 2015.

The EBRD has been helping SMEs in Armenia access business advice and industry expertise since 2003. Over €5.3 million of donor funding has been committed to more than 900 advisory projects and market development activities in Armenia.

The EBRD, owned by 65 countries and two intergovernmental institutions, is supporting the development of market economies and democracies.