ArmInfo. On March 14, RA Minister of Economy Artsvik Minasyan received the delegation headed by the head of the World Bank (WB) Yerevan Office, Laura Bailey, the press-service of Armenian Ministry of Economy reports.
Welcoming the guests and highlighting the cooperation with the World Bank, Artsvik Minasyan expressed gratitude for support and effective partnership for implementation of Armenia's economic development and reforms. The Minister particularly referred to the results and projects supported by the World Bank and implemented by the Ministry of Economy of RA.
He pointed out "E-Society and Innovation for Competitiveness (EIC) Project" by the implementation of which tangible achievements have been registered, particularly WiFi connectivity in a number of rural communities, establishment and development of Venture Fund and Technological Center (Technopark) in Gyumri, which can be a model for development of many regional and international technology centers.
Artsvik Minasyan referred to two other projects implemented in cooperation with the Bank "Trade Promotion and Quality Infrastructure" and "Local Economy and Infrastructure Development Project" emphasizing the critical importance of increasing the level of competitiveness of the country, improving the investment climate for foreign trade and development opportunities of territorial expansion.
The Minister outlined the importance of increasing the effectiveness of cooperation with donor organizations and ensuring the necessity of systemization of program implementation, awareness of society and transparent governance, monitoring of programs, evaluation of results, as well as accountability.
Laura Bailey expressed gratitude to the newly appointed Minister sharing his positive impression for being so deeply familiar with the agenda of cooperation and activities carried out in a short period.
Subject of separate discussion was the investment policy, issues related to corporate social responsibility, the problems associated with the competitive environment and the necessity of new legislative regulations of the field, which is also a requirement stipulated by constitutional amendments.
The interlocutors discussed the necessity of ensuring sustainability of the results of programs implemented, which has a principal role in strengthening the achievements, turning to development potential. In this regard the sides exchanged views on a number of cooperation
programs and possible directions.