OREANDA-NEWS. On 13 March 2009 was announced, that the high-level Industrial Policy and Private Sector Development Branch (UNIDO) official arrived in Armenia to participate in the VI Annual Economic Forum “BRIDGE”, in Tsakhkadzor. During the forum Mohamed-Lamine Dhaoui made a presentation entitled “UNIDO PSD development program with focus on development of productive and trade capacities of SMEs in the context of the international financial and economic crisis”.

Using the opportunity, Mr. Mohamed-Lamine Dhaoui met with the Minister of Economy Nerses Yeritsyan on February 23. He presented to the Minister the focal points developed by the Industrial Policy and Private sector Development Branch, such as improvement of business environment for private sector development (providing of consulting and expert assistance, building capacity); designing of the efficient system of linkages between national and global enterprises and cementing business ties between local and international enterprises (formation of clusters and consortiums, stimulation of Public-Private partnership, information and ICT support services, etc.)

The possibilities of future cooperation and providing for assistance were discussed during the meeting.

Nerses Yeritsyan underscored that the interactions with the UN Industrial Development Organization could be very fruitful for Armenia in both cluster formation and capacity building support trends.

Touching upon the business environment’s improvement issues, Minister of Economy mentioned that Armenia is in process of negotiation to signing the Free Trade Agreement with EU and ready for the institutional changes. Nerses Yeritsyan also informed Mr. Mohamed-Lamine Dhaoui about the Accounting Centre, recently opened in Yerevan, aimed at providing the audit services to SMEs. The Minister added that it is expected to enlarge and remodel it into the Centre which provides various services for entrepreneurs and start-up companies.