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ASSISTANCE TO IT AND SMALL AND MEDIUM BUSINESS ARE ARMENIA'S PRIORITIES IN COOPERATION WITH EBRD
/ARKA/
October 18, 2011
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, October 18. / ARKA /. Armenian prime minister Tigran Sarkisian
received October 17 a delegation of EBRD Board of Directors.
Present were EBRD Regional Director for Caucasus, Moldova and Belarus
Paul-Henri Forestier and Head of EBRD Yerevan Office Valeriu Razlog,
the government press office told ARKA.
It said the delegation is in Armenia to discuss issues of mutual
interest, get a first-hand view of Armenia's economic position and
specify the Bank's strategic priorities in our country. Welcoming the
guests, Tigran Sarkisian said that the meeting is a nice opportunity
to discuss the path covered together and, what is more important,
the way ahead. Thanking the Premier for reception, the delegation
congratulated him on Armenia's independence 20th anniversary.
Sarkisian then briefed on the current status of Armenia's economy.
Speaking on the lessons learned from the global financial and economic
crisis, he made a point of economic diversification in Armenia by
curbing the "shadow economy" and implementing a business environment
improvement reform. In this context, he stressed that the formation of
a small and medium-sized enterprise-brokered middle class is the key
to combating corruption and introducing democratic values in Armenia.
Concerning the fight against corruption, Tigran Sarkisian said that a
new law will be effective as of January 1, 2012, under which 500 top
officials will be required to submit income declarations including
details on family members and other relations. He emphasized the
importance of having an ethics commission supposed to deal with the
assets owned by public officials. According to Tigran Sakisian,
greater public control may help reduce corruption risks through
enhanced transparency in the activities of decision-makers and other
State officials.
During the exchange of views that followed, the parties looked at
the steps underway in a number of spheres. In this connection, the
Prime Minister dwelt on his government's efforts aimed at ensuring
equal conditions for economic competition, improving tax and customs
administration and reducing the scope of "shadow economy."
With reference to the EBRD's new country strategy for Armenia, Tigran
Sarkisian prioritized the need for boosting small and medium-size
enterprise and start-up businesses in the sphere of information
technologies. The meeting agenda also featured discussion of regional
issues. Pointing to the strength of Armenia's reform capacity,
the guests reiterated the Bank's readiness to support reforms in
our country.
The head of government thanked the EBRD Business Support Office for
assistance with the inspection and business environment improvement
reforms, as well as for the Bank's support in the launch of the small
and medium-size enterprise development council.
/ARKA/
October 18, 2011
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, October 18. / ARKA /. Armenian prime minister Tigran Sarkisian
received October 17 a delegation of EBRD Board of Directors.
Present were EBRD Regional Director for Caucasus, Moldova and Belarus
Paul-Henri Forestier and Head of EBRD Yerevan Office Valeriu Razlog,
the government press office told ARKA.
It said the delegation is in Armenia to discuss issues of mutual
interest, get a first-hand view of Armenia's economic position and
specify the Bank's strategic priorities in our country. Welcoming the
guests, Tigran Sarkisian said that the meeting is a nice opportunity
to discuss the path covered together and, what is more important,
the way ahead. Thanking the Premier for reception, the delegation
congratulated him on Armenia's independence 20th anniversary.
Sarkisian then briefed on the current status of Armenia's economy.
Speaking on the lessons learned from the global financial and economic
crisis, he made a point of economic diversification in Armenia by
curbing the "shadow economy" and implementing a business environment
improvement reform. In this context, he stressed that the formation of
a small and medium-sized enterprise-brokered middle class is the key
to combating corruption and introducing democratic values in Armenia.
Concerning the fight against corruption, Tigran Sarkisian said that a
new law will be effective as of January 1, 2012, under which 500 top
officials will be required to submit income declarations including
details on family members and other relations. He emphasized the
importance of having an ethics commission supposed to deal with the
assets owned by public officials. According to Tigran Sakisian,
greater public control may help reduce corruption risks through
enhanced transparency in the activities of decision-makers and other
State officials.
During the exchange of views that followed, the parties looked at
the steps underway in a number of spheres. In this connection, the
Prime Minister dwelt on his government's efforts aimed at ensuring
equal conditions for economic competition, improving tax and customs
administration and reducing the scope of "shadow economy."
With reference to the EBRD's new country strategy for Armenia, Tigran
Sarkisian prioritized the need for boosting small and medium-size
enterprise and start-up businesses in the sphere of information
technologies. The meeting agenda also featured discussion of regional
issues. Pointing to the strength of Armenia's reform capacity,
the guests reiterated the Bank's readiness to support reforms in
our country.
The head of government thanked the EBRD Business Support Office for
assistance with the inspection and business environment improvement
reforms, as well as for the Bank's support in the launch of the small
and medium-size enterprise development council.