NETHERLANDS TO ALLOCATE 390 THOUSAND DOLLARS TO ARMENIA FOR
INCREASING CAPACITIES OF RA MATIONAL STATISTICAL SERVICE

YEREVAN, MARCH 22, NOYAN TAPAN. With the aim of increasing the
capacities of the RA National Statistical Service, the International
Development Association, as manager of the grants provided by the
Dutch government, will provide a 390 thosand-dollar grant to Armenia.
The RA Minister of Finance and Economy Vardan Khachatrian and the World
Bank’s Representative in Armenia Roger Robinson signed an Agreement
on Statistical Capacities Development on March 22. The grant will
be aimed at developing the territorial statistics and working out
analytical mechnisms. Systems of strategical and financial management,
business registration and financial accounting will be developed
as well. R. Robinson noted that despite its limited resources, the
Armenian statistical service is carrying out considerable work. The
annual surveys of households conducted by the service are of special
importance since they provide data on poverty level. According to
V. Khachatrian, the Dutch government also co-finances the Poverty
Reduction Strategical Program. It has already provided a 4.7 mln-euro
grant for 2005.