TIGRAN DAVTYAN: REFORMS REQUIRE YEARS

news.am
Nov 3 2009
Armenia

In his interview with NEWS.am and the Chorrord Ishkhanutyun (Fourth
Estate) newspaper, RA Minister of Finance Tigran Davtyan stated that
Armenia’s 2010 state budget is "a realistic and stabilizing one." In
his turn, Bagrat Asatryan, the ex-chairman of the Central Bank of
Armenia, designated it as "weak and false." Minister Davtyan strongly
disliked the designation and stated that he has "no wish to accept
this designation. It is inappropriate language."

Davtyan pointed out that the Government "have presented a budget
within the limits of the possible. We are constantly saying that the
government system be more economical. Considering these goals and the
actual state of affairs, we have launched an austerity policy in the
state government expenditures."

As regard the 25% and 20% reduction in education and defense expenses
respectively, Davtyan pointed out the structure of the fields. "One
fact should be noted: capital expenses have been reduced, while current
expenses, including expenses on wages, have remained unchanged." So
the reduced expenses, particularly the defense expenses, do not affect
the army’s tasks at all.

The Minister disagrees with the opinion that administration expenses
have remained unchanged. "They have been reduced by almost 5bn AMD,"
Davtyan said, without specifying the percentage. Deputy Minister
Pavel Safaryan pointed out that the administration expenses have been
reduced by 3%.

As to whether the Government has succeeded in structural reforms –
less dependence on private transfers and excessive construction
volumes — in implementing its anti-crisis program, Davtyan said:
"Structural reforms are not to rake place within months, they require
years. Of importance is the work aimed at accomplishing the tasks."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress