ARMENIAN LEADER, WORLD BANK OFFICIAL PLEASED WITH BILATERAL RELATIONS

Arminfo
31 May 06

Yerevan, 31 May: Armenia takes first place on the World Bank’s
rating scale by the implementation of the bank’s programmes and by
the improvement of the business and investment climate, the regional
director of the World Bank on Europe, Central Asia and the South
Caucasus, Donna Dowsett-Coirolo, said at a meeting with Armenian
President Robert Kocharyan, the presidential press service has told
Arminfo.

The director of the World Bank’s representative office in Yerevan,
Roger Robinson, also attended the meeting.

The sides highly rated the implementation and results of joint
programmes. Expressing his satisfaction with the fact that Armenia
takes first place on the list, Kocharyan pointed out that the country
does not intend to stop at what it has achieved and will continue
the process of reforms.

The parties touched on tasks and work to be carried out in different
spheres. Kocharyan said that serious steps are being taken in order
to make the work of the customs and tax services more and more
transparent. An attempt is being made to minimize contacts between
the customs and businessmen.

The sides also discussed the fight against corruption. Kocharyan said
that active reforms have started in the judicial-legislative sphere
and that consultative assistance in this issue is expected from the
World Bank.