USAID ready to continue cooperation in energy sector

On February 2 Ashot Manukyan, Minister of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources received the USAID Armenia delegation headed by Mission Director Deborah Grieser. Welcoming the guests the Minister said that the Government highly appreciates the projects being implemented jointly with USAID in economy and various fields of public life.

Talking about specific projects, Ashot Manukyan stressed the importance of supporting digitizing works of geological fund archive.

This is very important and it is the first step towards the mining sector reforms in Armenia. The second step will be Armenia's joining the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).  It is included in the government program and hopefully we will submit a membership application by the end of this year. These steps will help to increase transparency in the mining sector and attract investments, said the Minister.

Mr. Manukyan highly appreciated the USAID role in Armenia's energy market liberalization, expert training and assistance in various spheres, and expressed confidence that the cooperation will continue in upcoming years. 

Expressing gratitude for the reception Mrs. Grisier in her turn assured that the Ministry and USAID have had a long and productive history of cooperation in energy reform and regional integration. As to adopting a plan for market liberalization the mission director noted that market liberalization will help foster competition, accountability, transparency, and effectiveness in the energy sector.

''We will continue to stand ready to partner with the Ministry in support of reform in Armenia's energy sector and the diversification of energy resources," said ​ Deborah Grieser.