ArmInfo. ACBA-Credit Agricole Bank jointly with German Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) has launched today the implementation of the second project of free "Certification of Organic Agricultural Products". The press-service of the bank has told ArmInfo that those entrepreneurs who wish to participate in the contest in 2016-2017 should download application form from , fill it and send to [email protected]. The deadline for submitting applications is December 1, 2016. One can call by the following numbers for any questions: (010) 544571 and (093) 420062.
The products presented by the participants for certification are subject to expert evaluation. After summing up the results the winners will be announced, to whom ACBA-Credit Agricole Bank with financial assistance from NABU will hand Organic Agriculture certificates. To recall the winners of the first program of free "Certification of Organic Agricultural Products" (2015-2016), the results of which were summed up in May, were "Mer Sarer" LLC (production of honey), "Mega Ararat" company (gathering of mountainous fruits and plants, production of tea), "Armberry" (raising of raspberry) and private entrepreneur Vahagn Hakobyan (raising of blackberry).
The program launched in 2015 is aimed at development of organic products market in Armenia and support of export. The program is designed for all those small and medium enterprises, which are interested in undergoing "Certification of Organic Agricultural Products".
To note, founded in 1899, Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU, Berlin, Germany) encompasses more than 520,000 members and sponsors, who commit themselves to the conservation of threatened habitats, flora and fauna, to climate protection and energy policy. NABU`s main objectives are the preservation of habitats and biodiversity, the promotion of sustainability in agriculture, forest management and water supply and distribution, as well as to enhance the significance of nature conservation in our society. According to the Financial Ranking of Armenian Banks prepared by ArmInfo as of July 1, 2016 the bank is in TOP-10 by the amount of lending to SMEs-33.8 bln AMD or 18% of the total loan portfolio of the bank. In the banks' total lending to SME the ACBA Credit Agricole Bank's share is 6%. The portfolio of agriculture loans of the bank reached 87.1 bln drams ($ 182.8 mln) by July 1, 2016 with 5.1% growth in the first half of 2016. In aggregate agriculture loans of the banking system ACBA-Credit Agricole Bank holds the major share-55% by July 1, 2016. As this bank is mainly specialized on agriculture lending the share of these loans in its portfolio reaches 41%.
To recall, "ACBA-Credit Agricole Bank" CJSC has been operating in Armenia since 1995. Since September 2006, the majority shareholders of the Bank have been Credit Agricole S.A. (15.56%) and SJSC "Sacam International" (part of Credit Agricole S.A - 12.44%). Along with them, 10 agricultural cooperative unions hold shares in the capital of ACBA- Credit Agricole Bank. By the coverage of the branch network and the number of regional branches, the Bank holds the second position. According to the key balance sheet figures, ACBA-Credit Agricole Bank is in the TOP- 5.
