MCA-ARMENIA ENVISAGES TO RECEIVE 12 MILLION DOLLARS THIS YEAR
YEREVAN, JANUARY 30, NOYAN TAPAN. The companies Glocoms Inc. (US) and
Ameria (Armenia), which made a consortium, have been selected as the
fiscal agent of the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA)-Armenia
SNCO. These companies have already set up the fiscal agent office in
Armenia. Office Director John Berlin said at the January 30 press
conference that the office will bear full financial responsibility
during the program’s implementation. It will do accounting functions,
compile documents on purchases, etc.
By the way, although John Berlin assured those present that the main
goal of the office is to ensure transparency of the program, he
nevertheless declined to state the amount of his salary.
According to Ameria’s Director Andrey Mkrtchian, the office of this
type has been established in Armenia for the first time, which is due
to the high cost of the program.
General Executive Director of MCA-Armenia Ara Hovsepian said that it
is envisaged to receive 2 mln 201 thousand USD in the first quarter of
this year and up to 12 mln USD – in the whole 2007 from the Millennium
Challenge Corporation (MCC). The largest disbursement of about 75 mln
USD is envisaged in 2009. He noted that 700 thousand out of the 1 mln
389 thousand USD allocated last year has already been spent. The main
function of the office in 2007 is to hold tenders.
It was mentioned that out of the total program cost of 235 mln USD, 5
million USD will be allocated for salaries and maintenance
expenditures.