The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), with support from the European Union (EU), is financing the construction of a new customs and logistics centre on the outskirts of Yerevan, Armenia. The project is backed by a €39 million sovereign loan from the EBRD, complemented by a €6 million EU grant, aiming to modernize and consolidate the capital’s fragmented customs operations.
The facility will improve service quality and significantly reduce the time required for customs clearance by implementing a ‘single window’ system and high-quality scanning and inspection equipment. This modernization is expected to strengthen regional connectivity, support trade, and contribute to Armenia’s broader economic development goals.
In addition to operational efficiency, the centre will be among the first public buildings in Armenia to achieve green building certification, enhancing energy efficiency and environmental performance. Relocating customs operations outside the city will help reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and cut freight-related greenhouse gas emissions in Yerevan by an estimated one-third.
The project aligns with Yerevan’s Green City Action Plan and the EBRD’s Green Cities programme, addressing key environmental priorities while fostering sustainable urban development. It also forms part of the EU’s Global Gateway flagship initiatives for 2025 under the EU Economic and Investment Plan for Eastern Partnership, demonstrating strategic investment and sustainable development support in Armenia and the wider region.
Beyond infrastructure, the initiative will support nationwide digital customs training, enhance data literacy, and create new job opportunities across Armenia through technical cooperation, including collaboration with the TaiwanBusiness-EBRD Technical Cooperation Fund. Since 1992, the EBRD has invested over €2.5 billion across 231 projects in Armenia, with this project further strengthening its commitment to the country’s sustainable development.
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