Thursday, 22 September 2016
PM Expects Bold Steps from Newly Appointed Ministers
A regular Cabinet meeting was held today, chaired by Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan.
Before discussing the agenda, the Prime Minister congratulated the newly appointed ministers and noted that they are modest, decent people and are carriers of the new management culture. The Premier stressed that the ministers will present their respective projects on the development of the relevant sectors. “Thank you that you have agreed to work together and I look forward to very bold and practical steps on your part,” Karen Karapetyan said.
The Prime Minister pointed out that an efficiency assessment system for ministries and government agencies is being discussed, the main criteria of which will be the attraction of investments.
Then Karen Karapetian ordered newly appointed Minister of Agriculture Ignaty Arakelyan concerning the process of grapes harvesting. In this regard, the Head of Government stressed the importance of developing conceptual options in order to address the problems in the long run. In particular, addressing the grapes harvesting in Aghavnadzor village of Vayots-Dzor Marz, he noted that Vedi Alco had not fulfilled its obligations.
“We are considering various options on how to solve the problem, including the management and financing by the State. I am convinced that the State is not the best and efficient manager, but at this point we need to embrace a new culture in a certain way,” the Prime Minister said.
The Cabinet approved a bill on amendments to RA law On Government Structure, which proposes to rename some ministries. Thus, the Economy Ministry will be renamed into Ministry of Investment and Entrepreneurship Support, the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources - Ministry of Energy Infrastructure and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Transport and Communications - Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology. The Ministry of Urban Development is due to be removed from the list of ministries.
Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan commented on the rationale behind the proposed changes. According to him, the Ministry of Investment and Entrepreneurship Support will act as a hub to help entrepreneurs discuss priority issues, objections, recommendations and address the existing barriers in industry.
As the Prime Minister said, the withdrawal of the word Economics from the name of the Ministry does not mean at all that this function will not be exercised. The Premier added that they are considering the possibility of transferring the State Water Management Committee from the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Agriculture to the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources.
Referring to the IT industry, Karen Karapetyan noted that the industry has its own characteristics, and it would be logical for IT-related issues to be dealt with by the Ministry of Transport and Communications. In addition, the General Department of Civil Aviation may be affiliated to the Ministry of Transport and Communications. A standalone committee for tourism may be set up after it is separated from the Ministry of Economy. As for the Ministry of Urban Development, the Premier deemed it expedient to create a committee of architecture and preservation of cultural values.
In conclusion, Karen Karapetyan advised that if necessary, the above questions will be taken up after the submission of the new government program.
The Government made a decision to streamline the air communications-related public procurement framework by setting standards for air services and air carriers to choose between the bids submitted by companies. In particular, the decision stipulates that the air ticket purchase process should only be carried out based on air carriers’ direct online offers, with the selection and procurement to be made following the principle of cost effectiveness.
Commenting on the decision, Karen Karapetyan said, “We will opt for quite complex mechanisms in order to rule out the incidences of primitive theft.”
The meeting next amended a previous resolution in a bid to enhance objectivity in the assessment of performance in the system of civil service, as well as to create a more competitive environment for civil servants.
With reference to the amendment, the Premier instructed the heads of government agencies to submit proposals that might create appropriate incentives for the staff, considering the existing possibilities.
