DFID ROUNDS UP ITS PROGRAMME IN ARMENIA

armradio.am
25.11.2008 16:50

After more than 10 years of operations, the UK’s Department for
International Development (DFID) rounds up its bilateral programme
in Armenia, following the country’s classification as a Middle Income
Country by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
(OECD).

Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia Mr. Charles
Lonsdale said: "The UK Government’s decision to close its bilateral
aid programme in Armenia s a clear sign of the country’s successful
efforts to reduce poverty and create a stronger economy. Although
DFID may be leaving, the UK remains strongly committed to supporting
development and reform in Armenia."

The UK began providing assistance to Armenia in 1993 – first through
direct cooperation with the Armenian Ministry of Finance and Economy,
then through the Know How Fund (KHF), managed by the UK’s Foreign
and Commonwealth Office (FCO). DFID became involved in Armenia
in bilateral and multilateral aid in 1997. Throughout this period
the UK has supported Armenia on its path to democracy and a market
economy. Over that time DFID has provided a total of over £70 million
to Armenia, in bilateral and multilateral aid.

Pauline Hayes, Deputy Director, Central Asia and South Caucasus,
DFID, said: "DFID came to Armenia to work with the government at all
levels to deliver policies and programmes which help the poor and
improve governance.

We are confident that our projects have made a real difference to the
lives of Armenians, from modernising central government to improving
the quality of life in remote villages."

DFID’s assistance has focused on reforming the public sector, managing
public finances, and supporting economic and social development in the
regions. DFID has contributed to improvements in the effectiveness,
accountability and transparency of public administration at all levels.

Over the last five years DFID worked with the regional administrations
of Gegharkunik and Tavush in identifying their key economic and social
needs and helped them to prepare and implement Regional Development
Plans (RDP). A key priority within the RDPs was supporting small
and medium sized enterprises to grow and create more jobs in rural
areas. Since 2005 funds have been used to provide business-training
courses and help businesses to access loans. DFID also provided around
1.5 billion AMD to fund projects in the two marzes, such as repairing
schools and hospitals and improving water supplies.

DFID, together with the Government of the Netherlands, has helped
the Government of Armenia to establish a more coherent and integrated
approach to budgeting by introducing new processes to manage the way
the public finances are allocated within the State budget. Since
January 2008 the new revised bu dget format, in parallel with the
old formats, has been rolled out across the whole of government. The
Government intends to produce the country’s entire 2011 budget using
the new budgeting format.

In cooperation with local and international partners, DFID has
supported a series of activities to strengthen Armenia’s cooperation
with the EU and raise public awareness of the roles of the key
European institutions.

Although DFID is leaving, the UK is continuing to work for a stable,
prosperous and secure Armenia, founded on democracy, good governance
and respect for human rights. This work includes support for conflict
prevention; assistance with defence reform and military training;
projects to support democracy and vulnerable social groups;
EU integration; and raising awareness of climate change and the
environment.

The UK will continue to support Armenia’s development through the
multilateral institutions, such as the European Commission, the World
Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
and the UN Agencies, to which the UK makes significant financial
contributions.

–Boundary_(ID_fBHJO8kWq wpi8zK04sWAlw)–