ARMENIA EXPECTS TO RECEIVE OVER $16.6M UNDER MILLENNIUM CHALLENGES PROGRAM IN OCT-DEC

/ARKA/
September 16, 2009
YEREVAN

Board of Directors of Millennium Challenges Armenia Fund non-commercial
organization discussed and approved the 13th application to Millennium
Challenges Corporation for financing. According to the application,
the country expects to receive about $16.6 million in October-December
this year.

Of it, over $15.7 million is to be spent on irrigation, $259,300
on monitoring and evaluation and $614,900 on project management and
evaluation, the press service of Armenian Government reported.

The irrigation component amount will be used for repair of water
lines, pumping stations, construction of gravity systems, design and
rehabilitation of the drainage system in Ararat Valley, Chief Executive
Officer of Millennium Challenges – Armenia Fund Ara Hovsepyan said.

The Board of Directors has also discussed the agreement on
rehabilitation of 17 pumping stations, construction of a gravity
supply system in Spitak to ensure irrigation of some 800 hectares of
land in Shirakamut, Saralanj and Katnajur communities of Lori region.

Hovsepyan also reported that "New approaches – high income" exhibition
is to be held in Yerevan on October 13-14 to complete "From water to
market" program and to present its five subcomponents.

The program of the U.S. Millennium Challenges Corporation started in
Armenia on September2029 2006. Under the agreement signed on March
27 2006 the Armenian Government is to receive a $235.65 million
worth grant during five years. $108 million is to be allocated for
rehabilitation of irrigation systems and rural roads only. Armenia
received $28 million from Millennium Challenges Corporation in 2008
and $35 million in January-August 2009.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress