OREANDA-NEWS. July 17, 2009. President Serzh Sargsyan received the Director General of the OPEC International Development Fund, Suleiman Jazir Al-Herbish and his delegation. Present at the meeting was also Henning Pedersen, Armenia country program Manager of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), reported the Official website president.am.

The International Fund for Development has been assisting Armenia since 2004. Until now, it has implemented two 15 million USD worth loan programs directed mainly at the restoration of Armenia’s industrial infrastructure. Another agreement for 14 million USD was signed last December and is aimed at fostering Armenia’s rural development through loans and investment.

Taking into consideration significant input of the OPEC International Development Fund’s and its Director General’s personal contribution to the strengthening of economic cooperation with Armenia, particularly for the development of rural areas, on July 13 President Serzh Sargsyan signed a decree to award Suleiman Jazir Al-Herbish with the Anania Shirakatsi medal.

Presenting the award, the President of Armenia expressed satisfaction with the programs implemented by the Fund in Armenia and noted that serious work has been done for the rural development and reduction of poverty. President Sargsyan highly praised the Fund’s five- and IFAD’s ten- year activities in our country, which contributed significantly to the development of Armenia’s rural areas and infrastructure development. The President said that along with the financial resources provided by the Fund, Armenia also benefited from its expertise and business culture which is obtained through joint work. He also expressed hope that despite the difficulties caused by the ongoing global financial crisis, the cooperation would go on.

Suleiman Jazir Al-Herbish expressed gratitude for the award, assessing it as a result and evaluation as well as the symbol of the Fund’s and its strategic partner IFAD’s cooperation with Armenia.