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Projects
E-governance as an Electronic Tool for Facilitating the Government to Attract Foreign Investments
Short Description:
Overall goal
The overall objective of the project is to improve the investment and doing business environment in Armenia, thereby strengthening Armenia’s competitiveness.
Expected results
• At least 12 procedures related to investment are publicly accessible online in English and Armenian (such as land lease or acquisition - purchase of, or investment in existing companies - construction permits - business licenses - work permits, Environmental Impact Assessment, etc.)
• Local counterparts publish new procedures and administer the system autonomously
• Simplification proposals are made for 4 priority procedures
• One or various local counterparts are able to simplify procedures using the eRegulations system and applying UNCTAD’s “10 principles to simplify administrative procedures”
Target group / Beneficiaries
The outcomes of the project will become strategically important tools not only for the counterpart government agencies, but also for foreign and local businesses, business associations and labour unions, civil society organizations, the donor community and other stakeholders. In total the Project will reach an estimated number of 19.000 people.
Activities
The main activities include installation and operation of an electronic tool to publish detailed online information on investment procedures in Armenia. Procedures will be described step-by-step and show, for each step, all contacts, forms, requirements, costs, duration, ways of recourse and the legal basis. The information will be displayed on existing government websites, such as investmentprojects.am, and/or on a new Trade Portal, with comprehensive sections for Investments and Exports serving as a single information window for investors and exporters.
Context
The Government of Armenia in its new Program for 2017-2022 adopted in July 2017 prioritises digitisation of the state government and local self-government systems. The Program states that it “refers to both introduction and enhancement of information collection, exchange and analysis systems and mechanisms both within the public administration system and digitisation and electronic rendering of services to citizens and businesses by public authorities.”
Moreover, the Government officially announced an “open door” policy for foreign direct investment and foreign trade at the beginning of its independence in 1991. Thus, it has continuously been working on improving the country’s business climate and it resulted in improved positions in different international ratings.