Wednesday, November 1 2023 14:32

ArmInfo. Armenia is taking an important step towards modernizing its public services delivery  with the Strengthening Transparency, Accountability, and Access to Public Services through GovTech project launched today. Funded by the UK Good Governance fund, implemented by the Armenian Government, the  launch of the initiative was marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the World Bank, the Embassy of UK to Armenia, and the Yerevan Municipality.

The project aims to simplify business processes within national and  regional government services, including streamlining and digitization  of notary services, construction permits, public sector internal  audit functions, and others, making their use faster for the public.

"The World Bank has supported public administration reform through a  series of projects since 2004. The Strengthening Transparency,  Accountability, and Access to Public Services through GovTech projec  seeks to lay the groundwork for digital infrastructure to ensure the  most efficient, cost-effective, and easy-to-use provision of public  services via digital means. We believe that initiatives like these  will contribute to a better business environment and will increase  the transparency and accountability of public sector service  delivery," said Carolin Geginat, World Bank Country Manager for  Armenia.

An important component of the project is an Annual Statistical  Satisfaction Survey, which will collect public feedback and assess  satisfaction levels on service delivery. To enhance government  personnel capabilities, a capacity building component is included in  the project to facilitate the practical implementation of acquired  knowledge, ensuring a sustainable approach towards the improvement of  public services.

"Public administration reforms are the most important package of  reforms in the state administration system. This is not an internal  process only, and directly affects the lives of businesses and  people. After the signing of this memorandum, I am sure that we will  start implementing the first actions with this great momentum and, in  parallel, Yerevan Municipality will start implementing a wide range  of public administration reform. Historically, the Municipality of  Yerevan had a perception of a rather bureaucratic system, and the  main goal of this project is to change those perceptions," said  Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan.

The project is aligned with Armenia's Digitalization Strategy, which  serves as a roadmap towards creating an efficient government.  The  project also complements the World Bank's Public Sector Modernization  Project-4 (PSMP4) lending operation, a comprehensive investment in  the country's public sector, aimed at modernizing Armenia's public  administration to improve efficiency, accessibility, and overall  public service quality.

The World Bank is currently financing 10 projects in Armenia totaling  $500 million. Since its inception in Armenia in 1992, the World Bank  has provided around $2.7 billion from International Development  Association (IDA) to which Armenia became a donor in 2023,  International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), and  trust funds. The World Bank is committed to continuing its support to  Armenia in its development path for reducing poverty and sharing  prosperity.