ADB identifies 3 priorities for beginning operations in Armenia

People’s Daily Online, China
Aug 4, 2006

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) identified three broad priorities for
beginning operations in Armenia as accelerating rural development,
promoting the private sector and enhancing regional cooperation,
an ADB report said on Thursday.

Armenia, which joined ADB in September 2005, has made substantial
progress in several key areas of economic development. However,
significant challenges remain if the country’s high level of poverty 39
percent of the population in 2004 are to be lowered, the report said.

"ADB’s Interim Operational Strategy is designed to be responsive to
the development challenges faced by Armenia. It will guide prospective
assistance to areas that have been identified as having the highest
potential development impact," said Shikha Jha, an ADB’s Country
Programs Specialist.

For improving living standards in rural areas and creating livelihood
opportunities, ADB will concentrate on water supply systems and waste
management, rehabilitation of rural roads and developing alternative
sources of energy, according to the report.

To strengthen enabling environment for private sector development,
ADB will explore potential assistance to improve regulatory oversight
and economic governance.

To augment Armenia’s regional cooperation and integration initiatives,
ADB will consider assistance to rehabilitate its existing regional
transport infrastructure to reduce costs of trade and transport,
and to upgrade regional energy transmission networks.

Source: Xinhua