GOVERNMENT – PRIVATE SECTOR COOPERATION CONCEPT APPROVED BY GOVERNMENT IN ARMENIA

ARKA
Jan 29, 2009

YEREVAN, January 29. /ARKA/. Armenian Government approved the concept
of cooperation between the government and the private sector in
the country.

The main aim of the concept is to strengthen cooperation between
the state and the private sector that is becoming widely spread all
over the world, Armenian Deputy Minister of Economy Ara Petrosyan
reported. Best international practice was taken into account while
developing the concept.

Creating conditions for better efficiency of partnership and full
use of cooperation potential are among main objectives set under the
concept, Petrosyan said.

The Deputy Minister reported that the concept also addresses public
services sector – transport, communication, energy and fields with
"established potential" (education, IT, tourism).

When implemented, the concept will lead to reduction in government
costs and commercial risks, to long-term economic growth and will
allow involving partners in distribution of profits.

Main types of partnership such as trust management, lease, concession,
privatization and transfer of assets are listed in the concept.

The Deputy Minister pointed to examples of successful cooperation
with private sector and to the Armenian Tourism Development Agency
among them.

According to Petrosyan, the concept will eliminate all the obstacles
on the way of the cooperation. It will also help reduce disproportion
in development of different regions of the country.

The concept will establish cooperation between the national center
for development of small and medium enterprises, the government
and the private sector and the prompt response office for support to
private sector. This, in its turn, will help implement major programs,
Petrosyan said.

Armenian Premier Tigran Sargsyan pointed out that the concept will
also help implement programs selected by the prompt response office for
support to private sector. Three programs have been picked up involving
procurements and subsidizing of agriculture, he reported. Instructions
are to be given to the national center for SME development to conduct
monitoring and prevent dissipation of government funds.