A number of trainings have been held for textile SMEs in the northern regions of Armenia, in the framework of the EU4Business initiative to support private sector development across the Eastern Partnership region.
The trainings were organised by the project ‘Textile for a sustainable economic development of the northern regions of Armenia’, implemented by the Gegharkunik, Shirak and Lori Chambers of Commerce and Industry, through an action grant from the EU-SMEDA project.
Among the actions was a business planning trainingheld in Armenia’s second largest city Gyumri. The final stage of the training took place on 26 September, where the participants – all self-employed individuals from the textile field – presented their products and business plans, which they had developed in the course of the one-week training.
Each participant made a presentation with assessment of similar businesses, market trends, prices, statistics on competitiveness and market, etc., which they had learned at the training. To complete their know-how, they developed a marketing strategy and made estimates of the investments needed to expand further (e.g. weaving machines, additional money for production, etc.).
A similar training was held in Vanadzor one month earlier targeting local SMEs and individuals from the textile sector. Out of them, the four best entrepreneurs were awarded with small grants by the GCCI to kick-start their business projects.
Trainings have also been organised in Vanadzor’s Gloria sewing factory for a small group of unemployed women who want to learn sewing techniques (see video demonstrating the training).
As part of the training, Gyumri’s Technological College presented a syllabus for a three-month sewing training course. An initial agreement was reached between the LENTEX textile company and Gyumri technological college to provide jobs to successful graduates of the training course.
The EU4Business SMEDA (Support to SME Development in Armenia) project supports the improvement of the business and investment climate for SMEs in Armenia. It aims to strengthen the private sector, support SME coordination mechanisms, and foster links between research institutions and the private sector, as well as providing access to finance for SMEs.
