US ambassador congratulates Tigran Sargsyan for improvement in World Bank ‘Doing Business’ index

YEREVAN, October 24. / ARKA /. A telephone conversation took place between Armenia’s Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan, and the U.S. Ambassador John A. Heffern at the latter’s initiative, the government press office reported.

It said Ambassador Heffern congratulated the Prime Minister for Armenia’s progress in the World Bank “Doing Business” index, which rose 18 notches up to the 32 nd place.

The Ambassador pointed out the particular importance of developing the business environment to maintain sustainable economic growth in Armenia. He also highly evaluated the Armenian government’s efforts aimed at reforming the public administration system and its resolution to bring the process of reforms to its completion. 

Prime Minister Sargsyan expressed his gratitude to the Ambassador and mentioned the importance of the technical assistance that the US government has provided to Armenia in order to ensure progress in this area. 

Mr. Heffern also mentioned the recorded positive developments in the taxes collection and protecting investments, and emphasized that the measures taken in this regard should be continued. 

At the end of the conversation, the Ambassador pointed out the readiness of the US government to continue providing technical assistance to the Armenian government for the implementation of its reform agenda and in particular for further development of the country’s business environment. In response, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan expressed his appreciation and stated the willingness of the Armenian government to continue the cooperation. 

According to World Bank, Armenia has moved up by 18 notches in the annual Doing Business - 2013 ranking, rising from the 50th to the 32nd place. It is now between the Netherlands (31st) and Belgium (33rd), ahead of France (34), Israel (38), South Africa (39) and Spain (44). -0-