EDB to provide $40 million loan for modernization of Armenia`s irrigation systems

According to the press-service of the Armenian Ministry of Finance, the program mainly aims at the modernization of Armenia's irrigation systems and the development of institutional capacities of water consuming units. Within the framework of the program it is planned to 

raise the efficiency of irrigation systems, to expand the areas of irrigated lands, to develop managerial capacities, to raise the density of equipment of water consuming units, etc.

 

The program consists of 4 main components: replacement of mechanical irrigation with gravity irrigation, recovery of main and farm ditches, modernization of in-house irrigation systems of water consuming units and development of institutional capacities of water consuming units.

 

The ensuring of stable and quality water supply for agriculture purposes, as well as the development of institutional capacities will substantially boost the development of agriculture, creation of jobs  and growth in export of agriculture products. 

 

Armenia became a full-fledged member of EDB in April 2009. The country's deposit in the bank's capital totals 100 thousand dollars. In its activity in Armenia, EDB highlights the following priority 

areas for 2013-2017- infrastructure projects aimed at reducing the country's transport dependence and ensuring its energy security; export growth that can be generated through investment financing of projects in its mining, metals, and processing industries, and its 

priority sectors identified in the <Strategy of Export-Led Industrial Policy of the Republic of Armenia>; to ensure the country's food security and improve its external competitiveness, EDB will support projects in the agro-industrial sector involving modernisation and introduction of modern technologies, as well as creation of vertically integrated agro-industrial enterprises with an export potential. EDB will also support projects to facilitate food imports, primarily from EDB member states, on conditions acceptable for Armenia; to ensure the country's food security and improve its external competitiveness, EDB will support projects in the agro-industrial sector involving modernization and introduction of modern technologies, as well as creation of vertically integrated agro- industrial enterprises with an export potential. EDB will also support projects to facilitate food imports, primarily from EDB member states, on conditions acceptable for Armenia.