ECONOMY
USAID launches three new projects in Azerbaijan
Baku, October 9 (AZERTAC). US Agency for International Development (USAID) launched three new projects in Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan`s Competitiveness and Trade (ACT) project is a three-year project designed to improve the business climate, develop liberalized and more transparent trade environment and improve agricultural sector in Azerbaijan. ACT will be implemented by Sibley International in cooperation with the Economic Integration Forum, Pragma Corporation, and ASR Consulting. The project is also funded by the government of Azerbaijan.
USAID Azerbaijan will also partner with AccessBank and DemirBank till 2015 to improve access to financing of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including crediting of the agriculture sector. This agreement is part of the USAID Development Credit Authority (DCA) program. The DCA provides partial credit guarantees on loans or bonds, thereby lessening the risk of a lender.
Azerbaijan New Media Program (ANMP) is a three-year initiative, which supports the rights of production and use of independent news and information. The program will be implemented by International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX).