Dear Member,

Welcome to the third issue of your Chamber’s E-Newsletter, which we will be sending out on a monthly basis. ACCA Aware will keep you up to date with the latest information about Chamber happenings, in addition to news articles concerning business issues in both

The Sydney branch of the ACCA held another successful networking night on the 25h of July, at the Ensemble Theatre, in Kirribilli.
In a break from tradition, presentations on this night were given solely by chamber members, who were given this opportunity to promote their businesses to fellow members.

After some informal networking, and drinks in the theatre's bar, which overlooked the beautiful Sydney Harbour, Armen Gavakian from Mission Armenia and Simon Totonjian from Country Net Solutions outlined the activities and services provided by their respective organisations to the audience.

After a brief intermission, it was time for Joe Chnorhokian from Wizard Home Loans, and Armen Inejian from Hyecom to discuss their businesses.

After an informative evening, the 40 members who attended the function enjoyed some further networking before departing at around 10.00pm.

For full details on the presentations given please click here.

Whilst the 2005/2006 Armenian Platinum Business Directory will be launched in September, we will be postponing the official celebrations until November the 18th, to ensure we have ample time to organise a function that matches the caliber of our new directory.

The Platinum launch will be held at the Manly Pacific Hotel, with tickets costing $100 for members and $110 for non-members, including a three course dinner, beer, wine and soft drinks and live entertainment.

To book your tickets please contact Harmick Hacobian on 9427 1011.

Within the next couple of weeks, those of you who have paid your membership dues will receive your personalised, durable plastic membership cards. For those of you who haven't paid their dues- please do so ASAP.

To add value to your Chamber membership, the Board has decided to adopt a 'Benefits Scheme' which will be available to all financial members of the ACCA. As part of this scheme, all members are encouraged to offer discounts and special offers that are exclusive to their fellow members. For instance, a retailer may decide to offer all ACCA members a 5% discount. SHOULD YOU WISH TO OFFER OTHER MEMBERS A DISCOUNT, PLEASE CONTACT HARMICK HACOBIAN on (02) 9427 1011.

The discounts offered by Chamber members will be published on the Chamber's website, and in a quarterly brochure- thus ensuring that participating members gain positive exposure for their businesses.

The Chamber's next networking night will be held on the 7th of September at the Lane Cove Rive Steak House, located at 213 Delhi Rd, Chatswood. The function will start at 7.00pm.

Tickets will cost $45 for members and $50 for non-members, and will include a two course meal, beer, wine and soft drinks.

On the night, two members will be given the opportunity to promote their business- if you are interested in making a presentation, please contact Harmick Hacobian (NB, only one spot remains!!)

In our quest to assist Chamber members in promoting their businesses, we will be allowing 1-2 members to promote their businesses in this newsletter from September onwards.
Should you wish to have your company promoted in this space, please forward a summary of your business's activities/services, your website and email addresses, and any photographs/logos to Harmick Hacobian at your earliest convenience.

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR- SEND US YOUR SUBMISSION TODAY!!

At present, the Chamber has just over 150 financial members, however it is our goal to increase this number to 200 within the next three months.

To encourage you all to promote the benefits of ACCA membership to your friends and associates, we have put together a special offer:

For every two members you sign up to the Chamber before November, you will receive one ticket to the November Platinum Launch valued at $100!!

In addition, if your friends sign up at our next Networking Night, they will save $5 on their ticket, and we will waive the $25 joining fee.

 Sydney Networking Function: Presentation Summaries

1. Armen Gavakian: Mission Armenia
2. Simon Totonjian: Country Net Solutions
3. Joe Chnorhokian: Wizard Home Loans
4. Armen Inejian: Hyecom

 Armen Gavakian: Mission Armenia
Mission Armenia Ltd is an Australian registered charity (Registration No. CFN17305). Its purpose is to promote, support and help to expand the work of Mission Armenia NGO, one of Armenia's largest and most successful humanitarian agencies.

Since its inception in March 2001, Mission Armenia Ltd has sent over $30,000 - donated by Armenians and non-Armenians alike - to Armenia. These funds are used to meet the needs that are unmet by Mission Armenia NGO’s current funding.

Some of our current projects include:
• Winter heating for the elderly
• Cataract operations for the elderly
• Medicines for the elderly and refugees
• Vocational training and small business loans for refugees
• Back to school kits for refugee children
• Internship program for Armenian university students

Mission Armenia NGO snapshot
Mission Armenia NGO was founded in Yerevan, Armenia in 1993. Mission Armenia NGO is an implementing partner of the UN High Commission for Refugees. Mission Armenia has a paid staff of 450 social workers, doctors, nurses and other specialists, as well as hundreds of volunteers. The organisation is propelled by Christian values at the core of which is faith, hope and love.

The President of Mission Armenia NGO, Miss Hripsime Kirakosyan, with the Board of Directors of Mission Armenia Ltd: Mr Hratsh Kiujian, JP; Mr Robert Grigorian; Dr Armen Gakavian; and Mrs Alina Ghazarian (secretary).

The elderly: Mission Armenia NGO’s 29 soup kitchens and community welfare centres provide regular hot meals and a wide range of centre-based medical, social, legal services for over 6,000 elderly. Mission Armenia NGO also provides comprehensive home care for thousands of housebound elderly. In addition, through funds raised in Sydney by Mission Armenia Ltd, we have been able to provide much-needed winter heating for over 600 elderly. We are now inviting members of the public to sponsor post-operational treatment for elderly who have had eye cataract surgery.


Elderly Armenians enjoying a hot lunch at one of Mission Armenia's soup kitchens in Yerevan, Armenia.

Refugees: Over 10,000 Armenian refugees from Azerbaijan and Karabagh live in desperate conditions in temporary accommodation. Mission Armenia NGO provides these refugees with first aid, health education, small group sessions, advocacy workshops, food packages, repairs of ceilings, plumbing and other facilities, interest-free loans for small businesses and winter heating.In addition, through funds raised in Sydney, we have been able to provide back-to-school kits for refugee schoolchildren. We are now raising funds for vocational training and for interest-free loans for refugees who wish to start small businesses.


A refugee learning how to sew as part of Mission Armenia's vocational training program.

For further information about Mission Armenia NGO, go to www.mission.am

Join us today!
Make your tax-deductible donation to ‘Mission Armenia Ltd’ by sending a cheque to the following address:

PO Box 824
Chatswood NSW 2057
Australia

To pay by credit card, or for further information, please contact us:
Tel: 02 9436 3011
Fax: 02 9436 1394
E-mail: mission_armenia@yahoo.com
Website: www.missionarmenia.com

 Simon Totonjian: Country Net Solutions

CountryNet is an Australian owned Internet Service Provider specialising in solutions for corporations, business, education and residential users.

CountryNet has the technical expertise to design systems for the most demanding of customers requirements and can quickly identify how to resolve problems associated with current installations.

The company supplied internet hardware and software as well as custom designing and building equipment for specialised requirements.

Contact Details:

Head Office Information
CountryNet Solutions Pty Ltd
Address: 131 Henry Parry Drive, Gosford NSW 2250
Phone: 61 2 4323 7579
Fax: 61 2 4323 1482
ACN: 097 507 278

Corporate Emails
General: mail@countrynetsolutions.com.au
Sales: sales@countrynetsolutions.com.au
Support: support@countrynetsolutions.com.au

 Joe Chnorhokian: Wizard Home Loans

With extensive lending experience, Joe Chnorhokian invites you to visit Wizard Home Loans for a free mortgage assessment today.

Wizard Fairfield- We're local, like you

As a small business, all of us at Wizard Fairfield pride ourselves on delivering one-to-one service so you can deal with the same local person from start to finish. Our commitment to Fairfield is strong, and our team is available to help you find the right loan to suit your needs.

Wizard home loans offers flexible payment options allowing you to take control and build a better financial future. Ask us about some of the many features you can enjoy to help pay off your loan faster.

At Wizard Home Loans, we're local like you. Visit our team at Wizard Fairfield at 22 Nelson Street, or telephone (02) 9726 1182 to organize an appointment today.

 Armen Inejian: Hyecom

"Hyecom provides data, voice and mobile services and products. We help businesses to reduce the cost and increase the effectiveness of their communication resources by doing an in-depth analysis of their set-up, their future growth prospects and making recommendations based on the outcome. Our customers benefit from our industry expertise, honest advice and great service. Hyecom provides a variety of solutions to businesses from phone systems to Blackberry server, form simple broadband Internet to private Intranet, voice and mobile access and hardware. We have partnered with Optus, Alcatel, Avaya, Zultys and a selected few ICT companies to bring you the best in the world of communication technology.”

For every customer Armen finds through the Chamber, he donates a 'commission' to the ACCA, which we use to fund our activities. We would like to thank Armen officially for his support of our organisation.

Contact Details:

Armen Inejian

Mob: 0401 199 828

Fax: 1300 305 986

Email: armen.inejian@hyecom.com.au

Website: http://www.hyecom.com.au

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 Armenia's Economic Present and Future
Source: isc.hbs.edu

Current Macroeconomic Context

• Strong GDP growth in the post-1998 period; driven by net exports since 2001
• Low inflation reflecting steady improvements in Central Bank policies
• Dramatic reduction of the fiscal deficit, mainly through reductions in expenditures. The tax system remains weak
• A negative current account but this has been financed through remittances and foreign aid; the ratio external debt service to export revenues has improved due to export growth and the renegotiation of debt terms in 2003
• The real exchange rate has fallen between 2000 and 2005
• Armenia is the only CIS state with "half-free economy" rated 42d. Georgia occupies 100th place, Azerbaijan shared 103 and 105 positions with Chad and Egypt. Russia occupies 124th place and Turkey 112th.

Upgrading Armenian Competitiveness: Towards a Strategic Plan
• Secure existing Armenian strengths
– Strengthen educational institutions
– Continue the mobilization of the Armenian Diaspora
• Strengthen the foundations of competitiveness
– Address critical weaknesses in the business environment
– Launch an aggressive cluster development agenda
– Create a focused strategy to attract foreign direct investment
• Overcome the challenges of Armenia’s location
– Build an efficient domestic economy, not just the traded sector
– Upgrade telecommunications and air transport
– Build capabilities in clusters with less dependence on the physical transport of goods
– Create a long-term plan for cross-border economic cooperation in the region
• Redefine the roles of government and the private sector
– Strengthen the effectiveness of government
– Enhance public-private collaboration
• Articulate and build consensus around a long-term vision and strategy for Armenia based on the principles of competitiveness

For further insight into Armenia's economic present and future, please click here.

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 Join Fellow Armenians for the 170th Anniversary of the Armenian Church of St Gregory the Illuminator in Singapore...

The Trustees of the Armenian Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator, Singapore and the Armenian communities in Asia would like to invite you to join them and other fellow Armenians and friends from around the world in celebrating the 170th Anniversary of the first church in Singapore (built in 1835), the Armenian Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator.

CELEBRATIONS

The Celebrations, to be held in Singapore from 11-13 November 2005, will be honoured by His Eminence Archbishop Aghan Baliozian Primate of Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia, and will include a variety of religious, cultural and social events. The schedule of events includes:

Friday 11th November 2005

Evening welcome reception at the Church

Saturday 12th November 2005

Saturday evening prayers followed by cultural dinner in a five star venue with live entertainment

Sunday 13th November 2005

Sunday morning Badarak followed by reception in the Church gardens

A web-site – www.armeniansinasia.org – has been created to serve as your personal guide to the celebrations in Singapore. It currently includes information on the history of the Church, a program of events, recommended accommodations and tours/excursions of Singapore and the surrounding region. Please refer to the site frequently as it will be updated with the latest information regarding the celebrations. The site also contains reservation forms with specially negotiated pricing for two hotels located in the vicinity of the Armenian Church. You may complete the forms and fax them directly to the hotel to confirm your reservation. Please be sure to inform the Church committee of your attendance and where you will be staying during the celebrations.

FUNDING

The Church is currently solely funded by support from generous Armenians living in the region and abroad. To date, the majority of these funds have been deployed for the careful maintenance and repair of this historical monument and the surrounding gardens and parsonage. In order to help recover costs for the three dinners (including wine and beverages, other events and functions during the celebrations), the Trustees kindly ask that each participant donate a minimum of $550 Singapore Dollars (~$330USD) to the Church. Your early confirmation and remittance of the required donations for your participation will be most appreciated. Your generous support will ensure the success of the celebrations.

ENQUIRIES & CONTACT

Please send all questions and expressions of interest to:

Web: www.armeniansinasia.org

e-Mail: 170years@armeniansinasia.org

Fax: +65 6334-3279

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT – WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU IN SINGAPORE!

 Armenian Development Agency- How They Can Help You....

The Armenian Development Agency (ADA) was established in 1998 by the Government of the Republic of Armenia to facilitate foreign direct investments and promote exports.

ADA acts as “one-stop shop” agency for investors assisting them in setting up their business in Armenia, helping in project implementation, performing a liaison role with the Government, providing information on investment opportunities in the country, as well as investment related regulations and laws. In it’s export promotion activities ADA helps to find markets for products, undertakes market studies and seeks out partners for joint ventures aimed at increasing the volume of exports and development of Armenian enterprises. ADA also organizes international conferences, business-forums, trade fairs and exhibitions.

The Armenian Government considers ADA as the main national intermediary for bridging gaps between policy development and implementation and the public and private sectors. The Chairman of the Board of ADA is the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia.

ADA coordinates the work of the Secretariat of the Business Support Council of the Republic of Armenia , which provides an effective mechanism to channel issue of concerns in the Business Community to the Government, and the Secretariat of the IT Development Support Council of the Republic of Armenia.

ADA cooperates with many international organizations such as World Bank, Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), UN Development Programme (UNDP), USAID, Development Alternatives Inc. (DAI) and others.

Also, ADA works with “Enterprises Support Fund“, “Armenian Development Gateway” project, managing by “E-Armenia” Foundation, and “SiliconArmenia” High-Tech Portal.

Below is a list of the functions and services they offer:

• Pre-Investment services;
• Airport-to-airport services;
• Facilitation for entry and exit visas;
• Organizing business trips to and from Armenia;
• Accommodation;
• Transportation services;
• Logistic and administrative services;
• Office space;
• Meeting rooms;
• Translation/interpretation;
• Meeting arrangements;
• Site visits;
• Information provision;
• Consulting services;
• Facilitation for notary services;
• Aftercare services;
• General counseling and facilitation;
• Facilitation for company registration;
• Event management.

For more information about doing business in Armenia, please see their great new website: www.businessarmenia.com

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Source: www.armeniadiaspora.com

Yerevan, July 07, Armenpress: Deputy trade and economic development minister, Tigran Davtian, announced today that Japanese businessmen are showing an increasing interest in Armenia and are definitely set to enter its market.

Davtian said that he gained this impression from a June 23-24 Armenian-Japanese business conference held in Moscow. He said however, that before entering a foreign market, leading Japanese companies weighed all possible positive and negative consequences of doing so. "At any rate, the Moscow conference was the first and serious step as a follow-up to prime minister Margarian's visit to Japan last month," the deputy minister said, adding also that Japanese businessmen's impression about Armenia from the conference was "very positive."

According to Davtian, the next such conference is likely to take place in Yerevan, with the Japanese being especially interested in Armenia's tourist sector, electronics and trade. At the conference, Armenia presented 24 programmes to the Japanese, encompassing food, light industry, tools building and high technology sectors.

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 Annual Catalogue: "National Export Register- Armenia 2005" to be
Released in November
Source: www.armeniadiaspora.com



Yerevan, July 12, Arka: The annual publication: "National export register - Armenia 2005", is to be released in Armenia in November 2005. The Center for Promotion of International Integration reports that this register is aimed at informing prospective foreign partners of Armenia's leading enterprises and organizations who are interested in exporting their products or services.

The catalogue is disseminated to 50 countries by subscription with 200 business associations included in the subscriber base. The catalogue is also distributed at forums, congresses and business meetings held both in Armenia and overseas. Subscribers in Armenia include representative offices of almost all international organizations and foreign embassies, as well as top officials of ministries and institutions.

A CD-ROM version of the register will also be released, with the aim of the project being to help find new sales markets, increase exports, popularize Armenia goods and services, and establish new effective ties between the business communities of Armenia and other countries.

The catalogue was complied by the "Master" center, with official sponsorship by the RA Ministry of Trade and Economic Development, RA Foreign Office and RA Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen.

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