YEREVAN, 9 December, 2021 - The European Union (EU) has signed a Contribution Agreement with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to support sustainable economic development in Armenia. The EU is investing €4m in a new technical assistance project, “Support to Quality Infrastructure in Armenia with UNIDO”.  

This action is in line with the commitments of the EU and Republic of Armenia under the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to improve trade competitiveness and meaningful utilization of the benefits of the CEPA.  The benefits of Quality Infrastructure (QI) are not limited to trade. A robust QI also contributes to other areas including, but not limited to, food safety and security, health, climate change and the environment.

The project will support an upgrade of the metrology system of Armenia through institutional strengthening of the National Body for Standards and Metrology, and improving legal, regulatory and governance systems in line with international recommendations and best practices, and increase Armenia’s participation in the international and regional metrology communities, as well as interaction with the European Association of National Metrology Institutes (EURAMET). The project will help to establish four calibration laboratories by purchasing, installing and commissioning the measurement standards, measuring instruments and equipment required to develop the required calibration and measurement capabilities, and preparing them for international accreditation. As a result of this project, sustainable and internationally recognized metrology services will be provided to stakeholders.

By implementing this project, Armenia will be able to meaningfully use the benefits of the CEPA, improve the quality of goods produced in Armenia, and ensure international recognition of tests performed in Armenia, resulting in increased trade with the EU and other foreign markets.

The project will support participation in committees and working groups; conduct studies; provide training, internships, mentoring and coaching; procure equipment and services and develop visibility and communications materials and events.

The intervention will be undertaken over 39 months at a cost of €4.1m, with the EU providing €4m and UNIDO contributing EUR €100,000.

The EU Contribution Agreement was signed by Frank Hess, Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Armenia, and Anahit Simonyan, UNIDO Country Representative in Armenia.