TRDP Supports the Opening of Three New Businesses in Vayots Dzor

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YEREVAN, Armenia — The American University of Armenia (AUA) is delighted to announce the successful launch of three new businesses in the Vayots Dzor region of Armenia, beneficiaries of the Turpanjian Rural Development Program (TRDP). The program has been providing sustained support to entrepreneurs in the region, duly impacting the establishment of new businesses and creation of jobs.

The TRDP Vayots Dzor team, headed by Dr. Haroutune Armenian and Director of Field Operations Zorair Kirakosian, participated in all three opening ceremonies held on April 25. 

The official launch of the pumice block production business, established by Rustam Karapetyan and his wife Varduhi Poghosyan, was gratifying and brought joy and celebration to the entrepreneur’s family, relatives, friends, and fellow villagers. These TRDP beneficiaries’ vision is to expand the business in the near future. 

The production workshop is equipped with high-quality machinery and equipment, which enables the production of a highly competitive final product. The opening of the plant has created four new jobs, thereby measurably contributing to the village economy.

On the same day, another new business was launched in Aghavnadzor. Lilit Grigoryan and Varazdat Avagyan opened their blacksmithing workshop named Solid Steel Avagyan’s. The business offers a wide range of services to customers, including loft style furniture and metalware. The couple is much obliged to the TRDP program for the guidance and support that helped them establish this new business. 

“I am grateful to the TRDP staff not only for the financial support, but most importantly their inspiration and encouragement, without which we would have never been able to fulfill our dream,” remarked Avagyan.

The opening of the workshop has created two new jobs in the village.

Tsovik Sahakyan’s bed and breakfast (B&B) was the third business launched on the same day in the Horbategh community of Vayots Dzor. Sahakyan was a hardworking and consistently punctual TRDP trainee. She proudly asserts that her business idea was inspired by her desire to contribute to tourism development in her community. 

Sahakyan’s B&B is located 1,900 meters above sea level, with a breathtaking view of the Vardenis mountain range. The cozy two-story wooden house is equipped with all the necessary amenities for hosting up to four guests. 

Sahakyan values the support of TRDP in establishing her business and plans to further expand it by building more B&Bs.

Established back in 2006, the TRDP program remains committed to nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit in the regions and fostering new business opportunities for individual and community impact. 

The AUA Turpanjian Rural Development Program provides education, funding and consultations to the existing and startup businesses in the rural communities of Shirak, Tavush, Vayots Dzor, Gegharkunik, Lori, and Ararat provinces of Armenia, as well as in Artsakh and Javakhk (Georgia). The list of eligible communities and eligibility criteria can be found here. The program continues to accept applications for the next round of training.