{"id":42674,"date":"2025-10-15T06:44:56","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T03:44:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/visionest.institute\/2025\/10\/15\/visionest-institute-eestist-jagab-armeenia-ettevotetele-strateegilisi-teadmisi-ekspordiedu-saavutamiseks\/"},"modified":"2025-10-15T07:24:37","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T04:24:37","slug":"visionest-institute-from-estonia-shares-strategic-knowledge-with-armenian-companies-to-achieve-export-success","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/visionest.institute\/en\/2025\/10\/15\/visionest-institute-from-estonia-shares-strategic-knowledge-with-armenian-companies-to-achieve-export-success\/","title":{"rendered":"Visionest Institute from Estonia shares strategic knowledge with Armenian companies to achieve export success"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Armenian small and medium-sized enterprises face a challenge familiar to many small countries: how to break out of the limitations of the domestic market and find a path to international markets. Armenia is at an economic crossroads \u2014 regional constraints and a small domestic market have held back company growth, while the global market demands flexibility, innovation and export readiness.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Armenia has set an ambitious goal to make exports the main engine of economic growth for 2025\u20132030. While in 2023 there were 272 exporting companies in Armenia, the export development strategy aims to increase that number to 440 by 2030.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Locally this encourages job creation and the development of new products; internationally it improves the image \u2014 Armenia is no longer merely a small market but a potential partner in global supply chains. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The country of Armenia is focusing on infrastructure development, market diversification and supporting exporters.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The programme launched by Visionest Institute aims to develop participants\u2019 export capacity through acquiring practical skills and by creating market analyses and concrete export plans \u2014 from target market selection and pricing strategies to certifications, logistics and finding business partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The export training programme began in Armenia for the first time on September 10, 2025. Photo: Visionest \/ SIMONYAN HAKOB<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBy supporting Armenian entrepreneurs, Estonia shows solidarity with its Eastern Partnership countries and shares its experience in market-economy development and export success,\u201d explains Visionest Institute director Anu-Mall Naarits<\/strong>, describing why the organisation opened the training programme in Armenia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cEvery company that completes the training leaves with a concrete plan for how to export its products to Europe and the world market.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The export trainings provide targeted, practical support that helps Armenian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) systematically prepare for export activities. The Estonian-led initiative brings together experts, mentors and local entrepreneurs. The result is a framework that teaches entrepreneurs to think strategically: to choose the right target markets, understand cultural and regulatory barriers in global markets, and develop realistic export plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The entire programme design and activities implemented in Armenia are based on previous success stories from Estonia and Ukraine and are adapted to local needs.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

A structured, phased approach \u2014 preparation and participant selection, training and practical workshops, mentoring and impact analysis \u2014 ensures measurable results and sustainability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The multifaceted impact<\/strong> of the program<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Anu-Mall
Anu-Mall Naarits, director of Visionest Institute, encourages Armenian entrepreneurs to export their products to Europe and the global market. Photo: Visionest \/ SIMONYAN HAKOB<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

In the short term, the export trainings launched in Armenia increase local entrepreneurs\u2019 awareness of export readiness criteria and provide very concrete tools for entering new markets and refining business strategies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Successful and consistent application of the acquired knowledge will increase SMEs\u2019 competitiveness in the global market, help grow export volumes and create new business networks and partnerships more easily and quickly. Long-term impact includes diversifying Armenia\u2019s economy, creating new jobs and stronger integration into international value chains \u2014 outcomes that also align with Estonia\u2019s development cooperation goal to strengthen partner countries\u2019 business environment and support sustainable economic growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At least 80% of the 60 participants starting across five different sectors should, as a result of the programme, take the first concrete steps into exporting or enter a new market, which in turn will foster the emergence of an international business culture and a local network of export practitioners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Estonia has a special role in Armenia<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Our export success over recent decades is a vivid example of how a small country can, despite limited conditions, enter the global business arena through smart planning and a systematic approach. \u201cBringing this experience to Armenia means not only sharing knowledge but also solidarity and strategic partnership,\u201d Naarits from Visionest Institute affirmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLaunching the programme and our acceptance after long discussions and meetings with local organisations and entrepreneurs is a clear signal that Armenia has the ambition to be an active and successful participant in the world economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If new export success stories emerge from the programme, they could inspire many other entrepreneurs in the region.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Most important are the things we bring from Estonia: courage, openness, a practical business culture and community support from those who have faced the same challenges themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Estonians have reason to be proud: our expertise, tried-and-tested methodologies and growing development cooperation now extend to Armenia. This is not only about economic impact but also cultural ties and trust that position Estonia in Europe as a country notable for development and innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the opening event, ESTDEV executive director Klen J\u00e4\u00e4rats<\/strong> welcomed participants via video link, emphasising Estonia\u2019s development-cooperation commitment to strengthening Armenian entrepreneurship. Visionest Institute director Anu-Mall Naarits and European Union representative Frank Hess<\/strong> confirmed European partners\u2019 support and trust in the programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The programme created by Visionest Institute and supported by the Estonian Centre for International Development Cooperation (ESTDEV) is not merely a series of trainings \u2014 it is a strategic investment in Armenia\u2019s economic competitiveness and long-term growth capacity, creating conditions for local SMEs to find and seize international opportunities and build sustainable export businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today\u2019s development-cooperation priorities in Armenia are education, democracy, poverty reduction and now also support for entrepreneurship and innovation \u2014 practical measures that help elevate local businesses to a higher level and give them the chance to become part of a broader, Europe-based value space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Armenian companies are happy to learn from Estonia’s success stories. Photo: Visionest \/ SIMONYAN HAKOB<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

COMMENT<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Piruza Harutjunjan<\/a>, <\/strong>Honorary Consul of Armenia in Estonia:<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Piruza
Piruza Harutjunyan, Honorary Consul of Armenia in Estonia. Photo: private collection\/LinkedIn<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Since 2021 Armenia\u2019s economy has recovered rapidly after the COVID crisis and continues to show strong, above-average growth. In recent years the economy has been driven by the technology sector, construction, agriculture and tourism. As a landlocked country, exports and foreign investment play a central role in Armenia\u2019s development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Armenia and Estonia have for decades organised study visits and shared experiences. Now, as Armenia moves increasingly towards integration with the European Union, these contacts are becoming substantive and broad partnerships \u2014 primarily in digitalisation, but also in education, culture and tourism. Armenia wishes to learn from Estonia\u2019s success stories and apply best practices and business models in its reforms, while also taking cultural specifics into account. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some examples of recent cooperation initiatives:<\/p>\n\n\n\n