WB to launch Access to Finance for Small and Medium Enterprises Project for ArmeniaFebruary 26, 2009 - 20:56 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The World Bank Board of Executive Directors has approved Access to Finance for Small and Medium Enterprises Project for Armenia totaling $50 million with a 26.5 year maturity and a 5 year grace aims to improve Armenian small and medium enterprises' access to medium-term finance in an increasingly unstable global financial environment, by improving the ability of farmers and rural entrepreneurs to access markets and by stimulating market-oriented private and public investments in rural areas. The major focus will be to support the continued development of commercial activities in the rural areas by improving market linkages, product quality, competitiveness and capacity of Armenian rural entrepreneurs and producers. Enterprises whose annual turnover doesn't exceed AMD 50 million are eligible for the project. 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 | Armenia calls for prohibiting threats of attacks on nuclear facilities Armenia has raised the need for a treaty prohibiting attacks on nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes. Armenia Security Council chief traveling to Qatar Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan will travel on a working visit to Qatar. Pillars installed in Armenian border village of Kirants In the Armenian village of Kirants, three border markers have been installed, and border guards stand next to them. Armenian Foreign Minister regrets “tragic loss” of Iranian counterpart The Armenian Foreign Ministry has expressed shock over the death of the Iranian President and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. |