Monday, 17 October 2011
PM Receives EBRD Board of Directors Delegation
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received the delegation of EBRD Board of Directors. In attendance were EBRD Regional Director for Caucasus, Moldova and Belarus Paul-Henri Forestier and Head of EBRD Yerevan Office Valeriu Razlog.
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 Sargsyan noted: “This 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.
Asked so by the guests, the head of government briefed on the current status Armenia’s economy. Speaking on the lessons learned from the global financial and economic crisis, Tigran Sargsyan made a point of economic diversification in Armenia by curbing the “black 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 he key to combating corruption and introducing democratic values in Armenia.
Concerning the fight against corruption, Tigran Sargsyan advised 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 Sargsyan, 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 “black economy.”
With reference to the EBRD’s new country strategy for Armenia, Tigran Sargsyan 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.
