The Representatives of IMF in the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources

On March 31, the RA Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Yervand Zakharyan has received the head of Armenian mission of the International Monetary Fund Mark Horton, the Permanent Representative in Armenia Teresa-Daban Sanchez, the economists of the Permanent Representation Francisco Parod and Armine Manukyan.

During the meeting there were discussed a number of issues related to the Armenia's energy sector and the mining industry.

In particular the discussions were about the issues of the energy-generating stations, extension of Armenian Nuclear Power Plant operation term and new power unit construction. The Minister Yervand Zakharyan has informed, that the works for the purpose of plant's operation term extension are in progress.

According to the agreement signed dduring the yearend in Moscow, the Russian side will provide a preferential loan of 270 million US dollars(a 15-year repayment period, interest rate of 3%)  and 30 million of US dollars as a grant: These funds will be used for the plant's operating unit extension.

The Minister also informed that the construction of new nuclear power unit construction scheduled to begin in 2018, so that the new power plant will be put into operation in 2027 and today is done everything possible for these dates.

Yervand Zakharyan has spoken about the mining sector of the Armenia and has mentioned, that the reforms implemented in the legislative field of mining sphere will make the investment field of the sector more efficient and attractive.