|
|
2016-04-20 00:00:00
|
A €5.5 million loan has been announced by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) which is set to see a new waste management system in Armenia. Kotayk and Gegharkunik are to be the regions to benefit from the the modern solutions. Armenia’s Minster of Finance, Gagik Khachatryan, signed the agreement in Yerevan last week.
The original plan, which was signed previously, was to see a €3.5 million loan go towards the construction of the waste management system in Kotayk but an additional €2 million has been signed off as part of a EBRD sovereign loan to cover Gegharkunik as well. This will be the first landfill in Armenia that is made in line with the relevant EU regulations and will be built in Hrazdan. The system, operating as a commercial unit with efficient waste management, is said to benefit half a million people in twelve municipalities including Chambarak, Gavar and Sevan.
The European Union Neighbourhood Investment Facility (EU NIF) and the Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership (E5P) will both be teaming up with the EBRD to make this project a success by providing financial support. In addition to this, the government of Austria will provide support with implementing and developing the system. Early Transition Countries (ETC) and the EBRD’s Shareholders’ Special Fund will also provide grant funds.
Armenia has long planned to raise the quality of their waste management systems up to EU standard and will be glad that they can finally take this huge step forwards. This project will also help the country to raise awareness of just how important sustainable solid waste management is.
Head of the EBRD’s Yerevan Resident Office, Mark Davis, has said “This investment will bring substantial benefits to the regions’ residents and environment and will help to develop a wider use of recycling. We are grateful for the strong support from our donors who see modernisation and environmental protection as much as a priority as we do.”
The EBRD are no strangers to Armenia having invested over €1 billion in nearly 150 projects since their first in 1992. Most of the investments have been in the private sector but the financial, corporate, energy and infrastructure industries have also been significantly helped along the way.
|
|
|
|