USAID Pioneers Public Investment Project Development and Financing Training in Azerbaijan

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), jointly with the Economic Reform Scientific Research Institute (ERSRI) and the Azerbaijan Ministry of Economic Development (MOED), will hold a Project Development and Financing Training Program Certificate of Completion ceremony at ERSRI on Monday, December 15, 2008 at 14.30.  (Address: 88A Zardabi ave, Baku) All media representatives are invited to attend.

Paul Davis, USAID Mission Economist, Sevinj Hasanova, Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Glenn Jenkins, Cambridge Resource International Program Director, Namig Tagiyev, ERSRI Director, and Natig Pashayev, Head of Public Investment Dept., Ministry of Economic Development, will be in attendance. 

The USAID-supported Public Expenditure Reform Support (PERS) Project training educated 35 public service employees from the Cabinet of Ministers, MOED, Ministry of Finance, and cooperating sectoral line ministries.  Dr. Glenn Jenkins, a world-renowned practitioner in the field of project preparation, appraisal, and management, led the training team in the presentation of modern Project Appraisal and Risk Analysis techniques.  The eight-week training program also provided practical applications, incorporating case-specific sectors recognized as priorities with the State Public Investment Program -- agriculture, education, industry and energy, water, and transportation.

The PERS Project objective is to advance public expenditure planning, cost-benefit analysis, and the effective utilization of public investment resources.  The next PERS training is scheduled to start in February 2009 and will place additional emphasis on regional issues.

For more information about USAID, please visit www.usaid.gov.  For more information about this event, please contact Sabina Ibrahimova, Public Relations/Information Manager at Sabina.Ibrahimova@pers.az or at + 99412 598 3147.