Armenia launches EU-funded business reform programme

Armenia BRIDGE was officially launched in Yerevan on 4 November, the Economy Ministry said. The European Union funds the programme, which the World Bank Group is implementing with public partner institutions.

The programme supports Armenia’s government in improving the rules and institutions governing how businesses start, operate and close. The EU says the planned changes are intended to make rules clearer and more transparent, simplify administrative processes and reduce regulatory barriers.

What the programme plans to change

The EU’s project page lists work on a companies law, a digital company registry, business licensing, competition policy and investment legislation. These are programme goals, not completed reforms.

The EU says the proposed registry is intended to improve transparency and access to business information and public services. Licensing changes are intended to make it easier to enter the market while protecting the public interest, with a simplified, risk-based licensing system among the expected results.

Investment law and next steps

At the launch, Deputy Economy Minister Aram Khachatryan emphasized lower administrative and business costs and cooperation between public bodies. He also called for businesses to participate directly in designing reforms and for adopted rules to be put into practice, the ministry said in an account carried by Civic.am.

Vassilis Maragos, the EU ambassador and head of its delegation to Armenia, and Fabrizio Zarcone, head of the World Bank’s Armenia office, also attended.

Khachatryan referred to further work to implement the new Law on Investments. The ministry’s account did not specify the programme’s funding amount, duration or arrangements for businesses to access it.