ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT NOT YET READY TO UNDERTAKE EXTRA COMMITMENTS IN SOCIAL SPHERE

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
25.12.2009 16:32 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Government is not yet ready to undertake
extra commitments in social sphere considering the unpredictable
nature of financial crisis, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said.

"In 2009, we increased budgetary expenditures by AMD 100 billion,
spending over AMD 900 million instead of last year’s AMD 810 million.

Those sums were spent for stimulating growth in separate sectors
of economy and mitigating social tension," he told a resulting news
conference in Yerevan.

At that, he noted that pensions and salaries have this year increased
by 16% and 11% respectively "despite the 15% economic slump".

According to the Premier, 3000 workplaces were opened in disaster
zone and activities in that direction will continue in 2010.

With regard to the achievements in construction sphere, Prime Minister
noted that republican and rural roads with a total length of 415 km.

were repaired and a 300 km. irrigation system was restored

"Infrastructure development is in Government’s spotlight," Mr.

Sargsyan said, adding that Government plans to construct 500 water
supply systems next year.

Touching upon Government’s priorities, the Premier stressed the
importance of providing assistance to unemployed individuals and
families whose number has increased in 2009.