SABIRABAD – Today, due to joint efforts between Azerbaijan and the United States, residents of the Memishler, Garalar, Asadli and Gafarli communities of Sabirabad rayon celebrated the completion of the Milk Collection Facility Cluster Construction Project.  The opening ceremony was attended by representatives of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID); along with the Ministry of Economy, the local Executive Committee, and the municipal governments.  USAID and the Azerbaijani government co-financed the construction, which was managed by the East-West Management Institute (EWMI) in close cooperation with UMID, a local NGO.

”The United States is committed to partnering with Azerbaijan.  By working together, we can achieve stability, democratic progress, and economic prosperity,” Mikaela Meredith, USAID Mission Director, said during the opening ceremony.  “A primary goal of the United States Agency for International Development is to help the Azerbaijani people come together to create solutions for themselves.  And these local residents can be proud that they have done just that.  It is because of their efforts we are here today opening this new milk collection facility.” She also thanked the communities for their dedication to mobilize local resources to improve their living conditions.

This newly constructed facility will improve the living conditions and income opportunities for more than 5,300 people in the four communities. 

In total, EWMI has implemented 90 community projects in 79 Azerbaijani communities benefiting more than 125,000 people. Through USAID’s Socio-Economic Development Activity (SEDA) program, EWMI promotes cooperation between citizens, civil society organizations, and government to advance socio-economic development and improve quality of life in rural areas.