Thursday, 7 March 2013
New Social Policy Methodology Being Drafted
A Cabinet sitting was held today, chaired by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan.
The Prime Minister opened the meeting with the following statement: “You are well aware that we closely follow developments in the international ratings of Armenia. A new report was published yesterday, which summarizes Armenia’s competitiveness in the field of tourism. It is my pleasure to state that our country has improved its position by 11 points ranking 79th among 140 countries.”
The government instructed the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources to have Ministry-affiliated public enterprises settle AMD142m from the proceeds of retained profit to HayRusGasArd CJSC as partial refund to vulnerable households for the amount natural gas consumed in October-December, 2012.
Reaffirming that only the most needy families will get refund and that the list of beneficiaries shall be submitted by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, the Prime Minister said that the government should significantly extend the scope of targeted assistance in 2013-2014 with a corresponding record made in the poverty index.
The meeting approved the 2013 program of business environment improvement in Armenia. Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said while Armenia has the 32nd best average index for its business climate improvement effort, our country ranks below the 100th position for many other indicators. He went on to stress as follows: “I mean the international trade regimes, as well as the way business disputes are settled at court. We must make a breakthrough in this field in order to ease judicial pressure on business entities and simplify the procedures applicable to international regimes.” The Minister of Economy said the above areas will be given a special emphasis this year considering that the situation rather than the indicators will matter most.
The meeting approved the concept of the law on Yerevan smaller center development. Highlighting the need to introduce the concept to the public at large, the head of government added, “As a featured electoral promise, this question will be kept in spotlight by Yerevan residents.”
Amending a previous decree, the government simplified the process of child adoption. “We had arranged to conduct extra surveys in order to eliminate the existing corruption risks. Our study has shown that the central body is free of corruption risks, while there still remain many risks within the subordinate structures.”
Felix Tsolakyan was appointed Governor of Shirak Marz. Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan congratulated the newly-appointed Governor and wished him fruitful work.
Wrapping up the meeting, Tigran Sargsyan addressed Women’s Day congratulations to Armenian women: “On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, I am offering holiday compliments to our mothers, wives, sisters wishing them endless love and homely happiness. Also, I would like mass media to convey our congratulations and warm greetings to our beloved women.”
