World Bank says Armenia’s Business Environment Improved

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 17, ARMENPRESS: The business environment and general management have improved in Armenia thanks to the implementation of important political and legislative steps, Jean-Michel Happi, the World Bank Country Manager for Armenia, told a news conference today, presenting the results of the " Development Policy Operations" program.

He hailed the application of electronic systems of tax and customs applications and the creation of department implementing operations through green way at customs clearance point. He said the latter improved Armenia's rating in "Doing Business 2012" report.

Despite the economic crisis in 2008-2011 the financing programs in the state budget were increased and preserved. "Taking into consideration the tax-budget cohesion, the increase of social expenditures gave an opportunity to the government to avoid reductions of assistance to very needy families, despite the noticeable increase of the number of such families," Happi said.

He also stressed the improvement of targeting of beneficiaries in the "Poverty Family Allowance" program.

Happi said the program has been reviewed to exclude the possibility of inclusion of non competent families and include bigger number of poor population.