“The Best Female Entrepreneur 2017” Award by the RA Prime Minister and the opening of the Expo-Fair in support of women entrepreneurs took place on March 16, at the Armenia Marriott Hotel.

The annual award is carried out under the auspices of the RA Prime Minister, with support of the RA Ministry of Economic Development and Investments. The event has been organized and conducted by the “Small and Medium Entrepreneurship Development National Center” Foundation (SME DNC). The Asian Development Bank (ADB), the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ), and the USAID/PRP program funded by the US AID have provided financial support to the organization of the Award.

This year's award ceremony was accompanied by a two-day expo-fair that has been initiated by the Asian Development Bank, with support from the English Speaking Association.

The RA Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan welcomed the participants and awarded the prizes to women entrepreneurs.

In his opening remarks, the Country Director of the Asian Development Bank’s Armenia Resident Mission - Shane Rosenthal noted that this event is a good opportunity to celebrate women's entrepreneurship in Armenia, to acknowledge accomplishments, and create awareness of the important role that women-owned and managed business are playing in today’s economy. “This is a story of leadership, of partnership, and of the incredible potential that Armenia has to diversify its economy, help individual businesses to thrive, and create jobs”, - said Mr. Shane Rosenthal.

The main objectives of the Award are: encouraging the entrepreneurial activity and initiative of women in the sphere of economic development of the Republic of Armenia, properly valuing and supporting the achievements of women entrepreneurs in the different sectors of the economy," - noted Levon Mnatsakanyan, Director of the SME DNC.

The following women entrepreneurs were awarded the RA Prime Minister's Award in 6 categories:

1. “The Best Woman Employer” category

Araksya Martirosyan – Yerevan city, IAB International Academy of Business

Irina Chibukhchyan – Yenoqavan village, Tavush Marz, “Apaga Tour” tourism activity

2. “The Best Woman Innovator” category

Marina Grigoryan – Yerevan city, “The Little Einstein” children’s home labs

Narine Khojoyan – Idjevan town, Tavush Marz. “Berq” company: based on modern technologies - production of strawberry, strawberry seedling and blueberry using hydroponic methods, in membrane-covered greenhouses and in open ground.

3. "The Best Brand by Woman Entrepreneur" category

Zaruhi Muradyan - Yerevan city, «Zara Wines» brand Wine production.

Margush Muradyan: Gavar town, Gegharkunik Marz, ANGRET brand, better known as Margush’s gata. Production of Gavar’s traditional gata and pakhlava.

4. “The Best Young Woman Entrepreneur” category

Irina Saribekyan – Yerevan city, public catering, Japanese cuisine: "Sushi Toria" trademark

Nelly Poghosyan – Amasia village, Shirak Marz, lavash bread production, which was the first in her native village

5. "The Best Start-Up Woman Entrepreneur " category

Hasmik Harutyunyan – Yerevan city, «YES! Republic» children's intellectual club.

Nelly Amirkhanyan – Koti village, Tavush Marz, bread/cereals production.

6. "The Best Exporter Woman Entrepreneur" category

Maria Soboleva – Yerevan city, Honey production. Exporting to Russia and the Benelux countries.

Nelly Nersisyan - Mastara village, Aragatsotn Marz, "Mastarachedo" Company: cheese production. Exporting to Russia.

Apart from the Prime Minister's awards, the Armenia’s SME DNC has also established the prizes.

SME DNC Executive Director Levon Mnatsakanyan awarded 2 women entrepreneurs from Artsakh.

Encouragement certificates, gifts and prizes were established by the Armenia SME DNC partner organizations as well: the "Partnership for Rural Community Prosperity» (USAID / PRP) project, implemented with funding from the USAID program, the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the "Young Entrepreneurs Support" program implemented by UNIDO, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the “Advice to Small Businesses" office of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD ASB) and the Business Support Office (EBRD BSO), the «Association of Young Women of Armenia" NGO (AYWA), the American University of Armenia (AUA), the Armenian Caritas (CARITAS).

The successful women entrepreneurs presented their experience to the participants of the event. At the end of the award ceremony, a round table discussion took place, which was dedicated to the problems of women entrepreneurs and the ways to resolving them. Then, the event participants walked through the Women Entrepreneurs’ products Expo, which was organized by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the English Speaking Association.