The Poverty Reduction Program Embraces 50 Destitute Communities

Yerevan, March 30. ArmInfo. A press conference on poverty reduction in Armenia was held in Yerevan today.

Ms. Consuelo Vidal, UNDP Resident Representative to Armenia, said that economic growth and poverty reduction take place not in all districts of Armenia. Poverty and unemployment levels are high in Shirak and Kotayk districts. As threats are high, investments into these regions are also large.

Samvel Galstyan, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, said that scattered agriculture lands, inefficient use of the lands, lack of proper general an irrigation equipment as well as inaccessibility to the market ban development of state agriculture.

Vardan Oskanian, Acting Foreign Minister of Armenia, said there is a stark difference between development of Yerevan and far districts of the republic. These issues were raised at the Armenia-Diaspora conference. Development of the regions will be in the focus of the further 10 years. "The poverty reduction program embraces 50 villages and will be realized from the near-to-border territories. The diverse approach to communities' development defers the program from the previous ones. We should focus on particular clusters and after completing work with them can proceed with the next villages," V. Oskanian said. He pointed out that the Government won't afford the program alone. That is why participation of international donor organizations and the Diaspora is crucial. The Acting Foreign Minister said that Armenian National Fund "Hayastan" could take over the role of the cooperation bridge. The program will be launched in May 2007.

The poverty reduction program has three objectives. The first is infrastructure rehabilitation - including renovation of schools, highways, gas distribution system, and the telecommunication system. The second - focuses on village economy development. The third - actual work of the villages. Special informative trainings will be held for villagers. Previous mistakes and experience of international organizations will be taken into consideration when implementing the program