ArmenPress
July 30 2004

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT, WORLD BANK SEAL CREDIT PROJECTS

YEREVAN, JULY 30, ARMENPRESS: The Armenian government and World
Bank sealed today an agreement according to which the World bank will
allocate a US$10.15 million equivalent credit for the Public Sector
Modernization Project, a US$ 5.15 million equivalent credit for the
Armenia Social Protection and Administration Project, and a US$ 19
million equivalent credit for the Armenia Health System Modernization
Project.
The US$10.15 million equivalent Public Sector Modernization
Project will assist the government in its efforts to improve the
transparency, accountability, effectiveness and efficiency of public
sector management. This is the first World Bank-supported project
focused on public sector reforms. The project will support civil
service reforms, and will make specific innovations in core public
institutions, which should become a catalyst for further
modernization efforts.
The Health System Modernization project will assist the government
in improving the organization of the health care system to provide
more accessible, efficient and sustainable health care services to
the population, in particular to the most vulnerable groups; and, to
better manage public health threats.
The Social Protection and Administration project will assist the
government in improving the performance by the public employment,
pension and social assistance agencies in providing services to the
population. The performance will be improved through the introduction
of improved business processes, administrative procedures and
techniques designed to enhance social protection to poor and
vulnerable population groups. Social Protection management
modernization remains a key priority in Armenia. Recognizing the need
to protect poor and vulnerable groups, the Government is planning to
undertake a range of actions aimed at increasing efficiency and
sustainability of social protection programs The credits will be made
to Armenia on standard IDA terms, including 40 years maturity and a
10-year grace period.