SARGSYAN RECEIVED THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE OPEC INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND, SULEIMAN JAZIR AL-HERBISH

president.am
July 15 2009
Armenia

Today, President Serzh Sargsyan received the Director General of the
OPEC International Development Fund, Suleiman Jazir Al-Herbish and his
delegation. Present at the meeting was also Henning Pedersen, Armenia
country program Manager of the International Fund for Agricultural
Development (IFAD).

The International Fund for Development has been assisting Armenia since
2004. Until now, it has implemented two 15 million USD worth loan
programs directed mainly at the restoration of Armenia’s industrial
infrastructure. Another agreement for 14 million USD was signed last
December and is aimed at fostering Armenia’s rural development through
loans and investment.

Taking into consideration significant input of the OPEC International
Development Fund’s and its Director General’s personal contribution to
the strengthening of economic cooperation with Armenia, particularly
for the development of rural areas, on July 13 President Serzh Sargsyan
signed a decree to award Suleiman Jazir Al-Herbish with the Anania
Shirakatsi medal.

Presenting the award, the President of Armenia expressed satisfaction
with the programs implemented by the Fund in Armenia and noted that
serious work has been done for the rural development and reduction
of poverty. President Sargsyan highly praised the Fund’s five-
and IFAD’s ten- year activities in our country, which contributed
significantly to the development of Armenia’s rural areas and
infrastructure development. The President said that along with the
financial resources provided by the Fund, Armenia also benefited from
its expertise and business culture which is obtained through joint
work. He also expressed hope that despite the difficulties caused by
the ongoing global financial crisis, the cooperation would go on.

Suleiman Jazir Al-Herbish expressed gratitude for the award, assessing
it as a result and evaluation as well as the symbol of the Fund’s
and its strategic partner IFAD’s cooperation with Armenia.