On 16 November 2018, American Chamber of Commerce in Armenia (AmCham) held its regular Annual General Meeting. The meeting was chaired by the AmCham President, Mr. Ara Hovsepyan. Among the presented and discussed issues were the achievements, development prospects of the organization, and the financial reporting for 2017-18.
The amendments to AmCham’s Charter were discussed and voted. The status of the Chamber, due to the legislative changes in Armenia, changed from the Union of Legal Entities to Public Organization.
Prior to the start of elections, the nominated candidates for the AmCham Board delivered short speeches on how they could contribute to the promotion of AmCham goals. The General Meeting re-elected Mr. Ara Hovsepyan as the President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Armenia for a term of two years. Ara Hovsepyan is the General Manager of ContourGlobal Hydro Cascade CJSC, an energy company that owns the Vorotan hydro cascade and is considered as the single largest private US investor in country.
Ms. Elina Markaryan, Public Affairs and Communication Director of Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company Armenia, and Mr. Aharon Levonyan, the Chief Financial Officer of Seraphim Industries, were re-elected to serve as the First Vice President and Second Vice President/Treasurer, respectively.
The General Meeting also elected the new Directors, as follows:
- Hayk Aloyan, Managing Director, Lydian Armenia CJSC
- Irina Dumanyan, CEO, Mentor Graphics a Siemens Business
- Diana Gaziyan, Communications Manager, Armenia/Russia, HSBC Bank Armenia
- Karen Garaseferyan, Corporate Affairs and Communication Manager, Japan Tobacco International (JTI Armenia)
- Tigran Gasparyan, Managing Partner, Director, KPMG Armenia LLC
- Ashot Ghazaryan, Vice President of Operations, COO, American University of Armenia
- Diana Ghazaryan, Country Manager, Microsoft Armenia
- Arthur Hovanesian, Executive Director, Synergy International Systems Inc.
- David Sargsyan, General Director, Legal Partner, Ameria CJSC
The new Board, according to the Charter, will serve for a two-year term.
In 2019, AmCham will continue its efforts towards the protection of Intellectual Property Rights and the promotion of best business practices in Armenia, in particular Corporate Social Responsibility projects in the scope of AmCham’s Responsible Business Network. AmCham will advocate the rule of law via its committees and working groups, also will cooperate with other Chambers and expand its cooperation with other AmChams in region and Europe.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Armenia is an independent business association operating in Armenia since 2000. AmCham represents interests of more than 130 member-companies from almost all sectors of Armenian economy. In pursuit of better business environment and promotion of the best business practices, AmCham partners with the U.S. Embassy in Armenia and closely cooperates with the Armenian Government, international organizations, and wider business community. AmCham is a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and European Council of American Chambers of Commerce.
