Karen Hilliard, the USAID’s Director in Armenia, talks about her agency’s priorities for the country.
European Times: What are the USAID’s main activities in Armenia?
Karen Hilliard: The USAID has been active in Armenia since the 1988 earthquake, when we offered humanitarian aid and then basic life services. The US government has provided over €1.4 billion in assistance to Armenia. We are about to launch a new five-year strategy here which focuses on economic development, democracy and good governance. This programme includes a social aspect. Our other focus in Armenia today is the final phase of our health-assistance programme. We are interested in fostering economic-policy reform in order to increase the competitiveness of the Armenian economy globally. The idea is that by reforming key policies, we will be able to help Armenia attract FDI. We have indentified four growth sectors which we are supporting. They are ICT and engineering, agribusiness (which includes implementing international food-safety standards), tourism and pharmaceuticals. We are also supporting development outside the capital.
European Times: What are some of the USAID’s major projects in Armenia?
Karen Hilliard: Our flagship programme in Armenia is a five-year, €12.9-million effort to promote economic development and market competitiveness. It has two purposes: one is to remove any policy and regulatory obstacles to business growth, and the other is to increase the competitiveness of the four key sectors we have targeted. This programme also strives to enhance human-resources development. We want education in Armenia to match the demands of the market. We also have a new programme to foster higher-education partnerships and we will establish ties with four US universities which will work with the government and the private sector in Armenia. As SMEs are the drivers of the Armenian economy, we are aiming to provide better access to credit for them. We also support reforms in tax collection, customs administration and others. We work with all other international institutions here in Armenia.
European Times: What is your personal message to investors?
Karen Hilliard: While economic reform is progressing quickly, democratic reform is moving more slowly, and new laws need to be implemented more efficiently. We are working very closely with the Armenian government, and the USAID is an enthusiastic partner for Armenia. There are very promising signs of economic development here, and for investors, Armenia is definitely a country to keep an eye on.
