ACCA Aware- April 2006
Dear Member,

Welcome to the third issue of your Chamber’s E-Newsletter for 2006, in which you will find the latest chamber news, and business related stories from Australia and Armenia. The new look of our newsletter is reflected in our updated website which can be viewed at www.armenianchamber.com.au. Make sure you add this site to your favourites list as we will be making some exciting additions to it in the near future. As always, your comments and suggestions on the website and this newsletter would be most appreciated. Should you wish to contribute, please contact our office on (02) 9418 9964 or at info@armenianchamber.com.au.
 
On behalf of the Armenian Chamber of Commerce, we wish you and your family a Happy Easter and safey holidays.


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ACCA News
 
 
COUNTDOWN TO 2007: A Dinner to Support the Re-election of Gladys Berejiklian MP, Member for Willoughby
The Armenian Chamber of Commerce urges its members to support the re-election campaign of Gladys Berejiklian MP, by attending the Countdown to 2007 function which will be held at North Sydney Leagues Club from 7.00pm on Friday 12 May 2006. The donation is $75pp which includes a three course meal with alcohol and a live band and entertainment. The master of ceremonies will be John Mangos, and special guests will include Mr Peter Debnam MP, Hon Dr Brendan Nelson MP, and the Hon Joe Hockey MP. RSVP/Enquiries: 0401 803 814 by May 5. For further information please click here.

 
ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL NETWORKING NIGHT FOR THE ARMENIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Another interesting night, the Chamber successfully put together an evening of exciting and dynamic people who with their wealth of info rmation managed to keep the 50 people audience on their toes listening and absorbing every word.

Our main speaker of the night was one of our own sons Mr Kerkyasharian (the chair of Community relations for a Multicultural NSW) whose knowledge in the subject has amazed the attendants. After the speech due to the never ending question time we had no choice but to terminate in order to give Mr Kerkyasharian the rest he truly deserved.

The Armenian Chamber Of Commerce Board Members extends their gratitude to Mr Kerkyasharian for his time and effort and we do hope that another visit could be scheduled pretty soon.

Also during the night 2 of our members presented info rmation regarding their businesses: Mr Artak Gioulambarian (Loans) and Mr Santo Soverino (Miramargarden Resort ). We wish them good luck and we hope that through our members and their friends their businesses prosper.

We also like to thank our special guests Mr Edward Mazzoni the president of the Chatswood Chamber of commerce and the Secretary Ms Julie Burgess for accepting our invitation.

We hope to see you again at our next Network night which will be during the month of June.

Come along and bring your friends and keep an eye on our news letters which are published monthly and distributed through the email system.

So please ensure that we do have your Email address on our system.

Till next time.

Gary Jamcotchian .


VISIT ARMENIA WITH THE CHAMBER IN SEPTEMBER 2006!

Travel Cafe Sydney is currently preparing a package for Chamber members who are interested in visiting Armenia to learn more about the business opportunities the country can offer. This trip is currently scheduled for September 2006, and a minimum of ten persons are needed. The highlight of this tour will be attendance at the Armenian Economic Forum (18-19 September), which is being held by the Ministry of Trade and Economic Decelopment. For those interested in learning more about the event, the Travel Cafe are holding an information night on Wednesday 29th March starting at 7.00pm. Please RVSP to Harmick Hacobian on 0418 646 246 by 20th March.
 
 

A MESSAGE FROM ARMENIAN TV
 
Dear Friend of Armenian TV,

Many of our dedicated viewers contacted me and inquired about the situation of CH31 and Armenian TV Sydney. I am happy to inform you that after an absence of 18 months CH31 is back on air. New licensee is TVS (TV Sydney).

Who is TVS? For more info on TVS please visit, www.tvs.org.au.

TVS is Sydney 's new free TV channel. Television Sydney (TVS) Limited is a not-for-profit company licensed to broadcast on UHF channel 31 under the provisions of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 governing Community Television.

TVS funds its operations by running up to seven minutes per hour of "sponsorship announcements" and by selling up to eight hours of program airtime per day.

TVS has a fully digital broadcast operations centre at Werrington South (Penrith). TVS broadcasts via a 20 kW transmitter located at the Broadcast Australia facility at Gore Hill.

TVS launched its service on the 21st November, and will initially offer a non-formatted schedule as a means of introducing Sydney to its newest free TV channel. They intend to launch the full service in mid February, and we will be advised the proposed slot for Armenian TV prior to this. We will inform you accordingly. Meanwhile tune in to TVS and watch the highlights including some from Armenian TV Sydney .

Most of the programs will be in English, if Armenian is shown it needs to be subtitled (very time consuming and expensive task)

Who is "Armenian TV Sydney Inc."? 
For more info visit http://armtv.tripod.com

I am sure most of you know about Armenian TV Sydney Inc., for those unfamiliar with our operation here are some facts.

Armenian TV Sydney Inc. is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the production and broadcast of matters concerning the local and broader Armenian community in Australia . Armenian TV Sydney is run entirely on a voluntary basis; financial assistance is not received from any one organisation. It is also not aligned to any one political persuasion and encourages free and open communication. Volunteers who wish to contribute in any capacity to the service are most welcome. Material for public broadcast, donation, sponsorship, advertisement and new ideas/comments are gladly accepted. Established in 1994, it is the FIRST and remains the ONLY Free to Air (FTA) Armenian TV broadcast service in Australia . Our volunteers produced over 1040 hours of Armenian program since 1994 and up to June 2004, initially one hour a week then we increased it to three hours a week. All this was done thanks to our volunteers and the support of many Armenian organisations and our dedicated sponsors and viewers.

I am sure we can continue serving our community with your invaluable support.

If anyone is interested in promoting their organisation or have interest in TV/Film or can help in any other way please come forward and be part of this new phase of Armenian TV. Already few Armenian Organisations and schools approached me for having programs on Armenian TV Sydney . We invite all without exception, we will be happy to advise and help in any way we can. We need sponsors as well. If you know anyone interested please let us know.

Regards

Sarkis Yedelian, (President)
Armenian TV Sydney, Inc. P.O. BOX 631, GLADESVILLE NSW 2111, AUSTRALIA
Ph: +61 2 9879 4159, FAX: +61 2 9816 3368, Mobile +61(0)4 12 048 330
Email. armtv2000@yahoo.com.au http://armtv.tripod.com

YOU SHOULD BY NOW HAVE RECEIVED YOUR PRIORITY INFORMATION PACK FOR ADVERTISING IN THE 2006 ARMENIAN PLATINUM BUSINESS DIRECTORY...

Most members and friends of the Armenian Chamber of Commerce should by now have received their information pack on advertising in the APBD 2006. This pack contains important information regarding advertising in this year's directory, including s colour brochure and application form. REMEMBER ALL MEMBERS ARE ENTITLED TO A $143 DISCOUNT OFF THE PRICE OF THEIR ADVERTISING!! If you have yet to receive your information pack, please call our office on (02) 9418 9964, and we will post one out to you. Alternatively, click on the image below to learn more about the Directory and to download an application form.
 


Australian Business News

Home Based Business Week
Source: www.business.nsw.gov.au



The NSW Department of State and Regional Development will be holding Home-based Business Week 2006 from 1 May - 5 May 2006.

The theme of the 2006 Home-based Business Week is “Home in on success”. The Week will provide home-based business operators with an opportunity to find out the latest thinking, newest ideas and practical tips to grow their business.

There will be around 25 events held across the State covering topics such as finding finance to grow the business, e-marketing, networking, database marketing, exporting from home and many more.

The home-based business sector is one of the fastest growing sectors in the NSW economy. They make up about two-thirds of the State’s small business sector.

The latest ABS statistics show that between 1999 and 2004 the number of home-based businesses in NSW increased by nearly 44 per cent.

The home-based business sector represents an array of industries with African hair braiders, builders, homeopaths, doll makers, mystery shoppers, accountants, marketing consultants, graphic designers and many others, signing up to the Department’s Home-based Business Action Programs.

Further details on Home-based Business Week 2006 are available at www.smallbiz.nsw.gov.au/hbbweek or telephoning
1300 134 359.
 
Sydneywins international recognition
Source: www.business.nsw.gov.au



Sydney was named runner up in the 2005-06 Asian City of the Future Award by leading international investment magazine fDi magazine, a Financial Times publication.

fDi magazine rated Sydney second only to Hong Kong , a major global economic hub.

Sydney was also named best city for human resources and was first runner up in the quality of life category.

fDi magazine said:
“Although Hong Kong’s lead in fDi’s competition was comfortable, overall runner up Sydney did manage to better it in the human resources category, proving that the Australian city’s primary strength is to be found in sheer people power.

“Sydney’s quality of life was deemed second only to Hong Kong’s, impressing our judges with its high-calibre housing and excellent schools, not to mention its array of cultural offerings. Situated on beautiful Sydney Harbour, anchored by the world famous Sydney Opera House, the capital of NSW boasts a culturally diverse and highly educated population, magnificent scenery and on Antipodean friendliness – all of which make it an exceedingly enticing place in which to live and work.” 

fDi magazine also named NSW as overall runner up in the 2005-06 Asian Regions of the Future Award, second to Tamil Nadu in India.

The awards were judged by a panel of fDi’s editorial team, international location consultants, corporate executives and other finance experts.

CeBIT Australia 2006
Source: www.business.nsw.gov.au




CeBIT Australia , Australasia's leading ICT event, will be held from May 9-11 at Darling Harbour , the fifth time the event has been held in Sydney .

Organisers are expecting more than 700 exhibitors and 30,000 business visitors from around the world to showcase products and search for technology solutions to improve their business.

All key technology areas will be covered by CeBIT 2006, making it a one stop event for keeping abreast of the latest developments in ICT.

The NSW Department of State and Regional Development is once again a major sponsor of CeBIT Australia, and will host the biggest stand at 162 square metres.

DSRD will use its stand to promote 18 of NSW's most promising ICT companies, from both regional and metropolitan areas.

This year's exhibition will include:

• The CeBIT e-Government Forum focusing on challenges in the e-government arena and developments around the world in areas including healthcare, defence, tele-working and security

• The CeBIT Tech Seminars that will focus on different types and areas of technology. They will include seminars on open source software, supply chain solutions, and digital working and living, as well as panel discussions with industry and business experts on different topics

• CeBIT will also feature a number of keynote presentations and a CeBIT Awards Night on May 10.

To book exhibit space phone 02 9280 3400 or email info@hannoverfairs.com.au

For more information visit www.cebit.com.au
Workchoices and Termination of Employment
Article Posted on 22.03.2006
Source: www.australianbusiness.com.au


WorkChoices will continue a legislative scheme under which it will be possible for aggrieved employees to bring claims alleging unfair dismissal against their former employers. The scheme under WorkChoices has much in common with the pre-reform laws. However, there are some significant differences, particularly with regard to the categories of employees excluded from making unfair dismissal claims.

As with the pre-reform laws, the Australian Industrial Relations Commission will be the forum in which claims are conciliated. The Commission will also retain powers to arbitrate claims that cannot be resolved through conciliation and to award compensation or reinstatement to unfairly dismissed employees. There are several procedural changes which are designed to improve the efficiency of the Commission’s processes. For instance, a claim can be eliminated at an early stage if the Commission is satisfied that it lacks jurisdiction to deal with the claim. In some cases the Commission will be able to do so without the necessity of a formal hearing.

Under the pre reform laws, various categories of employees are excluded from bringing a claim of unfair dismissal. Employees dismissed within probationary periods and employees engaged under contracts of employment for specified periods are examples. The pre-reform categories of exclusion will be continued with three notable additional categories.

The first of these new categories is based upon the size of the employer’s workforce. A person will be unable to make a claim of unfair dismissal if at the time of that person’s dismissal, there were 100 or fewer employees employed by the employer. In deciding upon how many employees were employed at the time of the dismissal, all full time and part time employees and regular long term casual employees will be counted. A regular long term casual is an employee employed on a casual basis for a continuous period of at least 12 months. Claims will still be open to be made against employers employing more than 100 employees at the time of the dismissal. Due to corporate grouping provisions, the total number of employees employed within a group of related companies will be taken as the relevant number of employees employed at the time of the dismissal.

The second additional excluded category concerns dismissals which are necessary because of technological, economic or structural changes within the employer’s business. These are dismissals most typically associated with redundancy. An employer will need to satisfy the Commission that there were genuine operational reasons for the dismissal in the event of a challenge to the dismissal.

The third additional category applies to those employees who are dismissed without having completed the qualifying period of employment. The qualifying period is taken to be 6 months, although it may be a shorter period, or no period at all, if the employer and employee agree so before the commencement of the employment. The qualifying period may be more than 6 months if the longer period is reasonable having regard to the nature and circumstances of the employment. Any agreement to either shorten or lengthen the qualifying period must be in writing. Pre-employment procedures and documentation should be checked by any employer wishing to rely upon these provisions.

As a consequence of the increase in the categories of employees who are excluded from bringing unfair dismissal claims, it is likely that there will be a reduction in the overall number of unfair dismissal claims. However, these exclusions do not diminish a person’s ability to bring other types of claims against the employer, such as those in which the employer is alleged to have committed unlawful discriminatory conduct. Various anti-discrimination laws of the States and Commonwealth already provide a forum for complaint against discriminatory conduct in employment. For example, 43% of the racial discrimination complaints received by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission in the financial year 2004-2005 concerned employment. With respect to complaints of age discrimination, 73% concerned employment, while 49% of disability discrimination complaints concerned employment. These laws will continue.

Consistent with pre-reform law, a dismissal for reason of a personal attribute or characteristic may be unlawful under WorkChoices. Personal attributes and characteristics include race, colour, sex, age, physical and mental disability, national extraction, union membership and non-membership, religion, family responsibilities, martial status and pregnancy. A dismissal is unlawful if it is based upon any of the prohibited reasons set out in the legislation. Even if a dismissal is supported by lawful reasons, the dismissal will offend the law if it includes an unlawful reason. Penalties, compensation and even reinstatement can be ordered against an offending employer. Certain types of absence from work are also covered by these laws. For example, an absence on maternity leave, or a temporary absence for illness or injury cannot be used as a reason for terminating an employee’s employment. Some exceptions are allowed in the case of extended absence or where the inherent requirements of the position cannot be fulfilled by the employee.

An employer will be in a stronger position to defend a claim if the employer can show through documents and records that the reason for the dismissal was not unlawful or discriminatory. Ideally warnings and records of counselling should be committed to writing and all employers should follow procedurally fair disciplinary processes. These actions are part of good risk management practice. They should be adopted by all employers regardless of the number of employees employed.

On top of claims that a particular dismissal occurred for a prohibited reason, termination of employment can provide the circumstances for disputes about the period of notice required to be given by the employer in order to terminate the employee’s employment. The law recognises that an employee is entitled to notice from the employer in accordance with the employee’s employment contract. In the absence of an express period of notice, there is an implied period of reasonable notice and there are many cases in which courts have been called upon to decide the implied period. The age of the employee at termination, length of service, seniority and specialisation of the position are some of the considerations which courts have found to be relevant to the determination of the period of notice. In some cases, senior employees of lengthy service have recovered substantial payments for implied reasonable notice. WorkChoices does not exclude the possibility of these claims. Employers can guard against these claims by issuing suitably worded contracts of employment. Professional advice should be sought to ensure that your business interests are protected.

Various trade practices and fair trading laws of the Commonwealth and the States can also provide statutory support for claims against employers. These laws are typically concerned with misleading or deceptive conduct. For example, the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) provides sanctions for misleading or deceptive conduct by corporations in relation to offers of employment. WorkChoices does not affect the capacity of these laws to support claims.
 
WorkChoices regulations are workable and sensible says business
Article Posted on 20.03.2006
Source: www.australianbusiness.com.au

Leading business organisation ABL/State Chamber has welcomed the release of the WorkChoices regulation saying it will bring to an end the deliberate attempts by State jurisdictions to circumvent WorkChoices.

“Overall the regulations are workable, sensible and are in keeping with the aims of the legislation, namely to bring greater flexibility to agreement making and to improve workforce productivity and participation”, said Minna Knight, Senior Workplace Relations Adviser for ABL/State Chamber.

“While the seven days notice for the start of the regulations is not ideal, business understands why the Federal Government is moving quickly, given the recent “scorched earth” decisions of various State administrations.

“The regulation is detailed, but it represents the unwinding of 100 years of complex, confusing and overlapping legislation. Employers would prefer these 400 pages than the countless pages of regulation and duplication they currently experience under the six separate workplace relations systems.

“Despite the union fear campaign, the regulations provide entitlements in sick, personal and compassionate leave that are far more generous than many existing awards. While this will be a cost to employers, it will be more than off-set from the shared benefits of improved agreement making and flexibility.

“People wanting to work part time will particularly benefit from the regulations which will remove part-time restrictions from the country’s awards and agreements. This will make a significant difference in increasing Australia ’s workforce participation.

“The regulation appears to make a concerted effort to ensure the administration of medical certificates is not abused, however employers will have a better idea as to the effectiveness of the new provisions in the coming months.

“We do have some concerns that the penalties for employers are harsh. The understanding of WorkChoices by employers is low and in such an environment we do have concerns about employers facing potential fines of $33,000 for failing to comply with the new minimum standards.
 

Rethinking regulation: a battle won in the war on red tape
Article Posted on 07.04.2006
Source: www.australianbusiness.com.au


The release of Rethinking Regulation and the series of announcements made by the Prime Minister and Treasurer today indicate a major change in thinking to regulation.

“Cutting the stock and growth of regulation is the next big challenge in making Australia more competitive”, said Mark Bethwaite, Chief Executive of ABL/State Chamber.

“Rethinking Regulation provides a recognition that the “one size fits all” approach of regulation has hindered the nation’s small business sector. Smaller businesses in particular are being stretched by Governments at all levels who have little understanding about the time costs of compliance.

“The move to greater national standards and harmonisation is welcome as is the decision to cut incorporation fees from $800 to $400. Australian Business Limited has been advocating for some time that the Federal Government suspend incorporation fees for six months to encourage smaller businesses to incorporate and enter the WorkChoices system. The cutting of the fees will assist that outcome. It is also a recognition by Government that incorporation fees should not be a substitute tax.

“Changes to FBT rules are long overdue and I am hopeful we will see further tax simplification in the Federal Budget.

“In a broader sense, we have to look at changing the culture of Government at all levels towards effective regulation. Reducing regulation should be a performance measure for Ministers, Department heads and agency CEOs at all levels of Government. We should be rewarding public servants who reduce the compliance costs of red tape.

“Red tape impedes economic growth and activity. The burden of compliance falls very heavily on small business people who are time poor. The 2005 Red Tape Register found that the average NSW business was spending 200 hours a year filling in paperwork required by Government departments.

“I am very supportive of the “one in, one out” approach adopted in the United Kingdom and this was part of our submission to Rethinking Regulation. Such an approach would curtail regulation growth and force departments to prioritise regulation.

“We need an approach to regulation that recognises the cost to business in compliance, the cost to Government in administering it and the cost to the wider economy through lost economic opportunity.

Mr Bethwaite said that whilst the Commonwealth and NSW Governments were both undertaking extensive inquiries into red tape including sector by sector analysis of regulation, undertaking greater use of the internet for compliance and seeking greater harmonisation of State regimes, there was growing concern amongst business about the performance of local governments.

“Increasingly, business is saying that local governments are finding new ways to tax and regulate. Business confidence in Federal and State Governments to undertake these reforms is tempered by a knowledge that another level of Government is under-performing. I believe this will become very apparent as business participates in the Business Costs Calculator.

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Armenian Business News


HEAD OF MILLENIUM CHALLENGES ORGANISATION TO VISIT ARMENIA
Article Posted on 31.03.2006
Source: Arka News Agency



Yerevan , March 31. Executive Director of the USA Millennium Challenges Corporation John Danilovich will visit Armenia on April 10-15, 2006, RA Minister of Finance and Economy Vardan Khachatryan told a press conference. The goal of Danilovich’s visit is to discuss the details of the Millennium Challenges Corporation’s program in Armenia and to become acquainted with preparatory work.

Danilovich intends to get acquainted with the progress that has been made in establishing the Corporation’s office in Armenia , which is expected to be opened in June 2006, as well as with the projects implemented and planned under the program.

On March 27, 2006, the Millennium Challenges Corporation and the Republic of Armenia signed a 5-year contract worth $235.5 million. The program envisages 6% poverty reduction through a steady increase in agricultural production.

The Millennium Challenges Corporation was founded in early 2004 under the US Department of State’s international program of economic development and poverty reduction. 


PRESENTATION OF "WORLD INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES 2005-2006" REPORT TO TAKE PLACE IN YEREVAN ON APRIL 3
Article Posted on 31.03.2006
Source: Arka News Agency 




YEREVAN , March 31. The "World Information Technologies 2005-2006" (WIT) report of the World Economic Forum will be presented in Yerevan on April 3. According to sources at the "Economy and Values" research centre, this is the first time that Armenia will be represented in the report.

According to the centre, data on information technologies in Armenia as well as information on the country’s efforts to stimulate competency in the IT-sphere through USAID’s "Competitive Armenian Private Sector Program" will be presented during the event.

The strengths and weaknesses of 115 nation’s information technologies are studied in the WIT report, with each country being assigned a "Networked Readiness Index". The aim of the report is to estimate and define the conditions of use of information technologies throughout the world.


THE GERMAN COMMERCE BANK READY TO EARMARK UP TO 100 MILLION EUROS TO ARMENIA  

Article Posted on 28.03.2006
Source: Arka News Agency

 

YEREVAN , March 28. The German Commerce Bank (Commerzbank) is prepared to earmark up to 100 million euros to Armenia , stated the bank’s representative Karslen George during the first international banking conference for foreign trade financing held in Yerevan .

According to George, the bank’s experts studied the situation and opportunities in Armenia and decided to extend their activities in the country.

According to the bank’s representative, “the bank’s activity in the CIS countries was quite a success”.
He pointed out that Commerzbank works mainly with small to medium-sized enterprises, principally playing the role of a confirming bank during foreign trade operations.

Commerzbank currently cooperates with Armeconombank, Agricultural Cooperative Bank of Armenia , “Anelik Bank”, Armimpexbank, Inecobank and Converse Bank in Armenia .

The conference was organized by the EBRD and Armeconombank.


"ARMAVIA" AIRLINE TO RESUME YEREVAN-TEL AVIV FLIGHTS 
Article Posted on 20.03.2006
Source: Arka News Agency


YEREVAN , March 20. From March 23 the "Armavia" airline will resume regular flights between Yerevan andTel Aviv. Press Secretary Zhasmin Velyan reported that in January 2006 the airline opened the Yerevan-Tel Aviv flight, which was temporarily suspended for lack of passengers.

"The reason for the small number of passengers is due to problems in getting entry visas to Israel . To resolve this problem, the airline is actively cooperating with the Armenian Government," Vilyan said.

On January 18, 2006, the national airline of Armenia , “Armavia", announced the opening of the Yerevan-Tel Aviv flight. The flights were carried out twice a week, on Thursdays and Sundays.

Velyan pointed out that a non-stop flight between Armenia and Israel was necessitated by the intensification of bilateral economic and humanitarian cooperation. The airline also considered the wish of the Armenian Apostolic Church to contribute to the development of pilgrimages to the Holy Land .


"ARMAVIA" LEASED A-319 TO START CARRYING OUT FLIGHTS LATE IN MARCH 
Article Posted on 20.03.2006
Source: Arka News Agency 




YEREVAN , March 20. Armavia airline’s new Airbus A-319 is ready to commence regular flights in late March according to the airline’s Press Secretary Jasmin Vilyan. Vilyan reported that the airline plans to replenish its fleet with the addition of the Airbus A-319, which was constructed in 2004.

"The modernization of the fleet is one of the priorities of our activities," Vilyan said. The Airbus À-319 is different from the other Airbus planes operated by the airline in a number of characteristics: it is furnished with more up-to-date equipment, consumes less fuel and has a more comfortable business class.

From April 15, 2003 Armavia airline took over the flights of Armenian Airlines. In June 2005, the MIKA Armenia Trading, which had held 32% of "Armavia" shares purchased the remaining 68% of Armavia’s shares from the Sibir airline.

The Armavia airline was founded on December 12, 1996. Its fleet is composed of three Airbus A-320 planes, one Yak 42, one An 24 and two leased TU-154 planes. In 2006, the airline plans to lease one A-319 and one A-320. The airline has a staff of 520.


2 MILLION AMD TO BE TARGETED FOR TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN NAGORNO KARABAKH 
Article Posted on 17.03.2006
Source: Arka News Agency  



STEPANAKERT, March 17. Two million Armenian drams are to be spent from the state budget of Nagorno-Karabakh for tourism development in the republic, according to NKR’s Regional Administration Minister Armo Tsaturyan.

In Tsaturyan’s words, an advertising programme will be created for the republic as part of the development scheme.

Tsaturyan said the ministry has recently started cooperating with the Armenian Tourism Development Agency. In addition to this the Karabakhi agency of development is working now on creating a proper database.

GREEK DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER DESCRIBES ARMENIA AS "BEST PARTNER"
Article Posted on 29.03.2006
Source: ArmInfo



YEREVAN , MARCH 29. Armenian agriculture minister David Lokian, who is also a co-chairman of the Armenian-Greek intergovernmental commission on economic, industrial, technical and research cooperation, described Greece today as 'a country that has been Armenia's friend for centuries.’

Addressing the 4th session of the commission that opened today in Yerevan , Lokian said Greece has a serious presence in Armenia . He said this level of relationship may sometimes result in what he described as 'deviations,' and stated that one of the goals of the commission was to settle any problems that arise. He said president Kocharian's visit to Greece last November gave a fresh push to boosting various bilateral contacts and ties. Lokian said he hoped that all major and minor discrepancies existing in bilateral relations would be solved during the meeting.

Greek deputy foreign minister Evripides Styliandis, the Greek co-chairman of the commission, said the Greek party would work to promote political and economic relations with Armenia . "We shall resolve all problems inherited from the past and will try to breath new life into our economic relationships and raise them to the level of political interaction”, he said, adding that part of these problems had been discussed and there was hope that they would be settled. Mr. Styliandis also said his government would help Armenia to take forward its Plan of Actions developed to boost relations with the EU as part of its European Neighborhood Program (ENP). He then emphasized the role of the Armenian community of Greece in attracting new Greek investments to Armenia , saying Greek investments in Armenia have now reached 1 billion euros.

“ Armenia is one of the best friends and partners of Greece ," said Mr Styliandis at the close of the day. The Greek delegation is also expected to visit the Genocide Memorial in Yerevan , meet with Prime Minister Andranik Margarian, Armenian Catholicos Karekin II and president Robert Kocharian.

EXHIBITION OF ARMENIAN PRODUCTION TO BE HELD IN ATHENS IN OCTOBER
Article Posted on 30.03.2006
Source: MediaForum

 



YEREVAN , MARCH 30. An agreement of cooperation was signed on March 29 between the Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia (UMBA) and the Industrial Federation of Greece (IFG). The agreement was signed by the UMBA Chairman Arsen Ghazarian and the IFG Coordinator of International Relations Ioanis Patsiavos.

According to A. Ghzarian, the implementation of the agreement will enable Armenian businessmen to enter the business information field of the European Union and use the EU business infrastructures.

The UMBA Chairman said that the sides reached an agreement to organize an exhibition of Armenian production and an Armenian-Greek business forum in Athens in October, which will constitute a serious step aimed at increasing the commodity turnover between the two countries to 100 million dollars in 1-2 years.

According to Armenia ’s official data, in 2004, the commodity turnover made 29.7 million USD, in 2005 - about 26.1 million USD. Arsen Ghazarian said that in 2005 the total amount of Greek investments in Armenia made more than 150 million USD, with the ArmenTel company accounting for most of the investments. He noted that 25 companies with Greek capital are now operating in Armenia .
AIR FRANCE CARRIES OUT FIRST PARIS-YEREVAN-PARIS FLIGHT ON MARCH 28
Article Posted on 28.03.2006
Source: MediaForum
 


YEREVAN , MARCH 28. The French company Air France carried out its first Paris-Yerevan-Paris flight on March 28. As Noyan Tapan correspondent was informed from the company's Yerevan office, French Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Armenia Henri Cuny left for Paris by this flight. To recap, Air France will carry out three Paris-Yerevan-Paris flights a week.
 
 
INTERNATIONAL BANKING CONFERENCE ON TRADE FINANCING TO START ON MARCH 28 IN YEREVAN
Article Posted on 27.03.2006
Source: MediaForum



YEREVAN, MARCH 27. Representatives from about 80 Armenian and foreign organizations will participate in the 3-day international banking conference on trade financing to open in Yerevan on March 28. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Armeconombank are the event's organizers.

The following reports will be made during the conference: "The Role and Problems of the Armenian Banks in Connection with Trade Promotion", "The Peculiarities of Trade Financing in Armenia (Currency Regulation and Control, Customs and Tax Legislation)", "The RA Payment Balance, the Structure and Problems of Import and Export", "The Exporters and Cooperation of Banks with Respect to Import and Export Activities", "The Financial Audit as An Instrument to Strengthen the Confidence of the Banking System".

A seminar on issues of trade promotion and financing will be held for bank representatives and businessmen within the framework of the conference.

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Calendar- Community

April

16th April: Hamazkaine Nairi and Homenetmen Ararat present an Easter Party with lunch, games and live music including Lucine, Styop, Goggo and Garnick. The event will commence at 12.30pm. For more information please call Silva on 0414 524 946.

19th April: Armenian Apostolic Church of Holy Resurrection 40th Anniversary Celebration Youth Night starting from 7.30pm at the Armenian Apostolic Church of Holy Resurrection, 10 Macquarie St, Chatswood. For more information contact 02 9419 8056.

24th April:
Locate Worldwide Armenian Genocide Commemoration Events in your area and GET INVOLVED!
Click on www.GenocideEvents.com

24th April: Commemoration of the 91st Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide at 7pm at Willoughby Town Hall, Victoria Ave, Chatswood with international guest speaker Ara Safarian (Archival Historian and Founding Director of Gomidas Institute).

29th April: Ara Gevorgian and Maestro Henrik Anassian head the largest Armenian Show ever to be staged in Australia with over 100 dancers and performers. NEWLY RELEASED Tickets start at $50pp, and the event will be staged at the State Sports Centre, Sydney Olympic Park. For bookings please call:
Giragos: 0414 951 301 - (w) 9724 6917
Hagop (Anto's): 9417 1266
Melbourne Contact- Rouben: 0408 282 849
For credit card purchase please call Alfred on 0408 282 849
May
 
12th May: Countdown to 2007 function at North Sydney Leagues Club to support the re-election of Gladys Berejiklian MP, Member for Willoughby. Donations are $75pp and include a 3 course dinner, alcohol and entertainment. RSVP/Enquiries: 0401 803 814 by May 5.

13th May: A.G.B.U Centennial Celebration at Willoughby Town Hall. Featuring Arax Mansourian and Razmik Babikian performing arias from Anoush Opera. Admission $45, Pensioners $35. For information call:
Marie Kouyoumdjian – 9412 3794
Alenush Hagopian - 0412 849 489
Lucy Aroyan- 0412 216 307

21st May: Hambartsoom at Cabarita Park, Cabarita from 11am.


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Shop 8, The Village, 43 Burns Bay Rd, Lane Cove, NSW 2066; PO Box 647 Lane Cove, NSW 1595
Phone: (02) 9418 9964; Fax: (02) 9418 6911; Web: www.armenianchamber.com.au; Email: info@armenianchamber.com.au