Armenian Trade Network

Foundation

The organization was founded in Yerevan, Armenia, on April 23, 2011, and officially registered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on June 27, 2011 (pending other international registration).

Mission

ATN-The Global Armenian Chamber of Commerce aims to strengthen the centuries-old transnational Armenian trade networks by promoting linkages within the global Armenian business community. It strives to become a platform for Armenian bilateral chambers of commerce and business organizations all over the world, to exchange knowledge and experiences and implement joint cooperative initiatives. ATN will serve the global Armenian business community in general and become its voice on matters relevant to Armenia and Diaspora. It will also aim to support the economic development agenda of Armenia.

Objectives

Strengthen member organizations particularly in the Diaspora.

Establish new business associations in strong Diaspora communities.

Provide services and organize activities for the global Armenian business
community with a particular focus on knowledge and information exchange, and
networking opportunities.

Enhance the credibility and brand of ATN as a Diasporan network in the
Diaspora.

Transfer knowledge and expertise on Armenia’s business environment.

Activities & Services

ATN’s target activities are:

Embark on a consultative and awareness building campaign to explore ATN`s development options, formulate the vision and strategic directions and raise ATN`s profile.
To this end, organize academic and youth events and determine Diasporan dynamics in economic activity and future trends.
Organize knowledge and experience exchange platforms for member organizations on institutional and organizational issues.
Organize sectoral business seminars in the Diaspora with high level participation from Diaspora and Armenia.
Organize business networking conventions adjacent to the biannual board meetings.

ATN’s target services are:

Provide business services in member countries based on the resources of member organizations.
Undertake a policy advocacy role with the objective of promoting improvements in the investment climate of Armenia (aside from promotion activities).
Provide virtual services to the broader Armenian global business community and make institutional services available for member organizations to use.

Membership Criteria & Responsibilities

Any Armenian business association or bilateral chamber of commerce, which is membership based and dedicated to private sector development at large and not focused on a single economic sector, may apply to join ATN.
All Armenian businesses around the world are deemed beneficiaries of ATN. However, membership at ATN is exclusive to Armenian business organizations and bilateral chambers of commerce from various countries.
Applying organizations should have been registered for at least two (2) years and should hold regular activities geared towards providing universal services to their members. ATN`s Central Board may grant temporary status to newly formed organizations.
Applications for membership are discussed and approved by a simple majority vote of the Central Board.
There are no limitations to memberships from a single city or country. However, it is advisable that organizations of similar aims and activities registered at a same location, try to join and apply as one entity.
Applying organizations should have at least twenty (20) Armenian members in good standing.
Applying organizations should be managed by an elected Board of Directors or an executive body composed of at least five members not related by family relations.
Applying organizations should designate one (1) member in good standing and willing to serve on the ATN Board to represent their organization at ATN’s Central Board.
Applying organizations should state their adherence to the goals and objectives of ATN and demonstrate readiness to undertake specific obligations.
Member organizations should use the ATN logo together with their own and provide an interface to ATN’s website through their websites.
In some specific cases and based on Central Board’s approval, an individual business person living in a region where no Armenian business organizations are active can apply for associate individual membership with consultative participation rights and no voting privileges.
All member organizations should complete an appropriate membership form provided by Executive Board of Directors.
Member organizations are responsible for transmitting information on their business communities, the list of their members and the wider list of Armenian businesses in their areas (where available), their agenda of events and activities and other relevant information to ATN for the purposes of consolidation and communication.

Founding Member Organizations & First Central Board Members

The following are the founding member organizations and their appointed representatives:

(1) Canada Armenia Business Council

(2) Armenian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry

(3) Union of Manufacturers and Businesses of Armenia

(4) Union of Manufacturers and Businesses of Artsakh

(5) American Armenian Chamber of Commerce

(6) Australia Armenia Chamber of Commerce

(7) Belgium Armenia Chamber of Commerce

(8) French Armenian Chamber of Commerce

(9) Groupment Interprofessionel International Armenien

(10) IranArmenia Chamber of Commerce

(11) Lebanese Assembly of Armenian Businesses

(12) Lebanon Armenia Friendship Association

Committees