Government Center for Strategic Initiatives opens in Armenia

ArmInfo. The Government Center for Strategic Initiatives (GCSI) officially opened in Armenia on  January 12. Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan attended the opening ceremony. 

The press office of the Armenian Government reports that welcoming  the guests and highlighting the opening of the Center for Strategic  Initiatives, the Prime Minister noted that the idea of setting up the  Center was one of the key tasks specified in the Government's Action  Plan. It is supposed to outline a long- term strategy for the  development of Armenia's economy.

The Premier said the Center will pin its activities on the principle  of public-private sector partnership and will serve as a platform for  private sector's participation in the debate on reform strategy. The  Head of Government emphasized that the GCSI will outline economic  development programs and shape the gradient how to develop the  country.

"By proceeding along the lines of public-private sector partnership,  we hope to really understand what we need to do in order to have  economic growth, attract investors, ensure long-term development and  make an effective use of our resources. The number of private sector  representatives involved in the Board of Trustees exceeds the number  of public sector representatives. We expect and would be very happy  if the best experts of the Diaspora and foreign countries might wish  to join this platform and participate in the Center's activities,"  Karen Karapetyan pointed out, adding that the Center shall boast of a  highly professional team. "The Center is going to be headed by my  adviser Alexander Khachaturyan, and I pin great hopes on his team. We  are open to constructive cooperation," the Premier said and wished  them good luck, every success and ambitious projects.

GCSI Executive Director, Adviser to the Prime Minister of Armenia  Alexander Khachaturyan said they have been set a sizeable task and  will do the maximum for proper implementation of the functions  assigned to them.

"Many challenges require combined creativity and responsibility,  while some of them do not call for long- term solutions and hard  day's work. We simply need to be coordinated and well-organized and  go forward.  There will be problems calling for more substantiated  approaches and preparations. I am confident that together, the  Center's team and our partners will be able to achieve a positive  result," Mr. Khachaturian said.

According to him, the GCSI will be financed from the State budget,  funds provided by international organizations and donors, as well as  private donations. By the way, the first contribution was said to  have been made by Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan.

The aim of the Government Center for Strategic Initiatives is to  promote key reforms, contribute to the growth of exports, as well as  attract long-term foreign investments. Sustained focus will be kept  on public administration, information and high technologies, tourism,  agriculture and processing industries, education, tax and customs  sectors, as well as on other areas if necessary. The Center will be  supervised and managed by the Board of Trustees, which will consist  of both public and private sector representatives.