Prime Minister of Armenia about corruption and monopolies: It is time to correct mistakes

"The four-day war has made us reassess the activity of the Government and launch effective steps to meet the current challenges," Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan said addressing the Government, on May 12.

"Our resources are limited, but it can be recompensed with efficient models and rapid rates of implementation," he said promising to launch weekly discussions with the public sector representatives to find specific solutions to the problems.

The prime minister said the government will shift to a more saving regime, though the budget had been approved already. "We should curb that expenses where possible, for instance, transport costs of official trips, expenses on representation, spending on the service of official cars etc., " Abrahamyan said. "All the saved resources will be spent to settle prior problems," Abrahamyan said.

The prime minister said the Government staff, the ministries, state non-commercial organizations, governmental agencies and departments will undergo staff cuts gradually, before launching discussions on the budget for 2017.  "I am expecting sober proposals from the deputy prime minister and his task group," he said.

He urged other power branches to do the same, though it may lead to certain tensions connected with jobs cuts in the government sector.  "We have not resorted to such measures previously not to cut jobs, but the security threats to Armenia and Artsakh make us do it. The situation is non-standard and we cannot avoid non-standard decisions," he said.

The addressed the fight against corruption, obliging the law-enforcement departments engaged in the field to make regular reports on the process. In case of no progress, the human resources policy will be revised.  He said the persons holding state positions and their relatives must not be allowed to participate in the state procurement and the program must be implemented on the government funds.

He said all these measures are impossible unless there is sustainable and long-term economic growth that will allow creating new jobs and reducing social tension. The prime minister admitted that the government was not consistent enough in fighting monopolies.

He charged Minister of Economy and the State Committee for Protection of the Economic Competition to study the situation with monopolies and suggest efficient solutions (within 3 weeks) with the help of the international organizations operating in the country. Hovik Abrahamyan charged the State Revenue Committee to intensify the tax collection procedures, apply soft administering with regard to SME, and manage risks in the taxation and customs fields.  

He said the government will be guided only with the economic expediency. "The Government has enough political will to implement all the necessary measures," the prime minister said for conclusion.