WB REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR SOUTH CAUCASUS FAMILIARIZES HIMSELF WITH IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS OF WB-FUNDED PROGRAMS IN ARAGATSOTN MARZ
NOYAN TAPAN
JULY 9, 2009
ASHTARAK
ASHTARAK, JULY 9, NOYAN TAPAN. The World Bank Regional Director for
the South Caucasus Asad Alam, who is on a working visit to Yerevan,
on July 8 visited the villages of Aghdzk, Vardenut, Ara and Mulk
in Aragatsotn marz to familiarize himself with the implementation
process of WB-funded programs there. He was accompanied by the WB
Yerevan Office Head Aristomene Varudakis.
The work on installation of a gas network is being done in Aghdzk under
the WB program on development of rural enterprises and small-scale
commercial agriculture. The program’s cost is 2 million USD, 53 million
drams of which has been allocated for the gas network installation. 15%
of the sum necessary for the indicated work has been paid by the
local residents.
The WB representatives also become acquainted with the process of
repairs of 3,5-km road connecting Vardenut and Ara villages. The road
was previously in poor condition and almost impassable in the winter,
which resulted in problems for the local population.
At the end of his visit, A. Alam went to Mulk village where a pumping
unit for drinking water is being built thanks to the additional
financiang of 8 million USD allocated by the WB to the Social
Investment Fund of Armenia.
Attaching importance to the implementation of the indicated programs,
A. Alam said that they will have a positive impact on the communities
in terms of raising their standard of living. After the installation
of a gas network in Aghdzk village, about 600 families, the school and
the kindergarten will have heating, as a result of which fewer trees
will be cut down. The repairs of rural roads will result in higher
competitiveness and prosperity of the community as the village will
have a link to a republican highway and the transportation costs of
agricultural products will decline.