By Siranush Adamyan
Armenia's government is set to approve three grant agreements with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) at its July 30 cabinet meeting, advancing plans to establish customs and logistics centers in Syunik and Yerevan.
The agreements will provide technical support for implementing the two projects, as well as advisory services to secure international green certification. They cover project implementation support for the Syunik customs and logistics center, project implementation support for the Yerevan center, and green certification advisory services for both facilities.
According to the draft decisions, the grants will not finance construction itself. Instead, they will fund project management, procurement, technical supervision, environmental and social compliance, and other implementation activities needed to deliver the projects in line with international standards.
The main loan and grant agreements for the two centers were signed between Armenia and the EBRD in May 2024 for the Syunik project and September 2025 for the Yerevan project.
The Syunik customs and logistics center is backed by approximately 12 million euros in financing, including a 10 million euro loan and a 2 million euro grant. The Yerevan project has secured around 45 million euros, comprising a 39 million euro loan and a 6 million euro grant.
The Syunik center will be built near the village of Shaki, about 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) from Sisian, while the Yerevan facility will be located in the village of Proshyan in Kotayk Province. Both centers are designed to operate under a "one-stop, one-window" model, offering modern customs services through extensive use of digital systems.
According to the explanatory notes, the green certification component will include advisory support on energy efficiency, resource conservation, environmental impact assessment, and compliance with internationally recognized sustainability standards.
An interagency review found no substantive objections from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Justice, Environment, Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, or the State Revenue Committee.
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