The Armenian government today approved a $1.5 million grant agreement between Armenia and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IRBD) for the development of a program to clean up the defunct Nairit Chemical Plant in Yerevan.

The grant includes design and technical evaluation, and an assessment of environmental and social risks.

A large fire broke out at Nairit in August 2017, fueling fears that toxic fumes had escaped over the Armenian capital.

The Armenian government in 2018 spent AMD 177 million (then $367,200) to monitor the safety of chemicals being stored at the plant.

The plant has been embroiled in various environmental and financial scandals over the years.