The Strategic Development Agency NGO held a joint annual partners meeting within the framework of the “Digitizing Sectors for Competitiveness” (RECONOMY) and “Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia” (LILA) projects on December 13 in Yerevan.
Themed “Empowering Economic Growth through Sustainable Tourism Practices and Digital Solutions,” the event aimed to promote innovative approaches to sustainable tourism development and digital transformation. It brought together representatives from government agencies, international organizations, foreign embassies, industry experts, and international partners from Moldova, the Czech Republic, Georgia, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom (participating online).
In his opening remarks, Mkrtich Ayvazyan, Chairman of the Strategic Development Agency NGO, emphasized the role of both projects in promoting sustainable development and supporting small and medium-sized businesses, particularly in remote communities.
“I am confident that by bringing together key stakeholders from the tourism and hospitality, agriculture and light industry, and advanced technologies sectors, this platform will create new opportunities for cooperation,” said Ayvazyan.
The event was also welcomed by Gevorg Mantashyan, First Deputy Minister of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia; Arman Khojoyan, Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Armenia; Lusine Gevorgyan, Chairwoman of the Tourism Committee of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia; Klas Waldenström, Head of Development Cooperation at the Embassy of Sweden in Armenia; and Elene Tkhlashidze, Head of Operations at RECONOMY. They highlighted the Strategic Development Agency NGO’s role and the longstanding cooperation with their respective institutions.
The panel discussions were held on the topics of Regional Advocacy Initiatives: Sharing Insights in EaP’s Digital Economy and Driving Change: Balancing Economic Growth and Environmental Responsibility Through Sustainable Tourism Practices. These sessions were attended by representatives from relevant ministries, project beneficiaries, and international experts.
Mher Sahakyan presented the progress and achievements of the “Digitizing sectors for competitiveness” project, and Alla Ghazaryan outlined the results already achieved under the “Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia” project.
Following these presentations, partners and beneficiaries participated in sector-specific workshops, discussing targeted challenges and planning future collaboration opportunities for 2025.
RECONOMY is an inclusive and green economic development program of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), implemented by HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation in partnership with Strategic Development Agency NGO and others in the Eastern Partnership and the Western Balkan regions.
The Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia LILA is a conservation and sustainable tourism development project, which is implemented by the World Wide Fund for Nature Armenian office (WWF Armenia) and the Strategic Development Agency NGO (SDA). The project is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
December 31, 2024 at 13:30