WB to back Armenian state budget with $80 millionFebruary 17, 2012 - 13:06 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved on February 14 financing designed to help Armenia to protect its poorest children, women and men, support greater human capital development, and reinforce competitiveness by providing a more favorable private sector environment and strengthening governance. The Third Development Policy Operation (DPO) for Armenia totals $80 million, Jean-Michel Happi, the World Bank Country Manager for Armenia said at a press conference on February 17. The Third DPO includes an IDA credit equivalent of US$ 50 million and an IBRD loan of US$ 30 million. The IDA credit carries a maturity of 25 years including a grace period of 5 years and the IBRD loan has a maturity of 25 years including 10 year grace period. Jean-Michel Happi, the World Bank Country Manager for Armenia noted that implementation of the program will provide an opportunity to save spending of Armenia’s state budget in the social sphere, in particular, ensure its targeting, promote increased access to pre-school programs in poor communities of Armenia, and improved efficiency of education management, as well as the introduction of co-payment policy in health services delivery. As to enhancement of Armenia’s competitiveness, Happi stressed the importance of establishing one-stop-shop for business registry process, e-filing system, etc.
Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | Turkey extends military presence in Azerbaijan The Turkish parliament has adopted a bill submitted by Recep Tayyip Erdogan to extend the mandate of Turkish troops. Russia to begin assessing migrant workers' speaking skills Rosobrnadzor is planning to change the Russian language exam for migrant workers and include an assessment of speaking skills Armenian, Saudi Foreign Minister meet in Riyadh The two commended the positive dynamics of the development of political dialogue between Armenia and Saudi Arabia Pashinyan: Azerbaijan’s proximity shouldn’t worry border residents At the same time, he said that he “does not guarantee [the security of villagers] one hundred percent”. |