Wednesday, 28 September 2016
PM Introduces Newly Appointed Sport and Youth Affairs, Nature Protection, Culture, Economy Ministers
Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan introduced today to the respective staffs the newly appointed ministers of Sport and Youth Affairs, Nature Protection, Culture, Economy.
The Head of Government thanked former Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Gabriel Ghazaryan for good work. Noting that Gabriel Ghazaryan was going to collaborate with newly appointed Minister Hrachya Rostomyan, the Prime Minister said to have great expectations from their tandem.
As the Premier pointed out, everything should be done to foster healthy lifestyle in the country, especially rural communities, and to this end, he expected the Ministry to come up with qualitatively new bold ideas with the involvement of appropriate foundations. In this connection, Karen Karapetyan emphasized: “We need a national program to ensure that sport turns into a basic necessity; we need to propagate this idea.”
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Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan introduced newly appointed Minister of Nature Protection Artsvik Minasyan to the ministry staff, wishing him every success and good performance. The Premier thanked former minister Aramayis Grigoryan for fruitful work.
The Prime Minister stressed that the Ministry of Nature Protection is expected to reinvigorate its activities, outline new areas of cooperation with the international community in an effort to help raise funds, inculcate new culture and develop new standards.
“You should take a stricter glance at today’s organizational setup, including SNCOs, and go after every penny. We should understand the targets behind each spending and realize whether the proposed target has been reached or not,” Karen Karapetyan emphasized.
The Prime Minister noted the importance of logical commercialization of the environmental industry and stressed the need to develop eco-tourism in Armenia, which may become one of the most attractive branches of incoming tourism. The Premier said efforts need to be made quickly and efficiently in this area.
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Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan next introduced newly appointed Minister of Healthcare Levon Altunyan and wished him productive work. The Prime Minister expressed gratitude for the work done by former Minister Armen Muradyan. Appreciating the creditworthy and important work carried out in the healthcare sector, Karen Karapetyan pointed to the need for reconsidering the governance structure in order to optimize it as much as possible.
“Any penny spent in the health sector should have a logic and efficiency. We need to create a fair and transparent environment for redistribution of budget funds and State orders,” he said.
Stressing the importance of public-private sector cooperation, the Prime Minister said to be looking forward to building such an environment as would help attract well-known international brands, develop a new culture and create a competitive situation. Karen Karapetyan deemed it important to consider the possibility of introducing an online healthcare system.
“You must definitely have an objective so that the value added to the GDP and your spending is proportionate,” the Prime Minister stated, adding that he had great expectations from health experts, since there is a good basis already established.
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Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan introduced to the Ministry staff newly appointed Minister of Culture Armen Amiryan. Appreciating the work done by former Minister Hasmik Poghosyan, the Head of Government noted that culture and history are the pride of our nation and, therefore, cultural experts are expected to maximize its value.
“Culture plays a major role in shaping a common taste and learning in Armenia. We need to think of ways of ensuring that our citizens and the outer world come aware of each other’s cultural values. Therefore, I expect highly productive teamwork from the new minister,” Karen Karapetyan noted.
According to Karen Karapetyan, Armenian culture plays a significant role and could well serve as a pledge in terms of attracting tourists. The Premier wished Armen Amiryan and his staff fruitful and creative work.
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Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan introduced newly appointed Minister of Economy Suren Karayan to the Staff of the Ministry. Appreciating the work done by former Minister Artsvik Minasyan, the Premier said to be looking forward to new organizational approaches and recommendations from Mr Karayan.
“We need to declare and provide all necessary evidence that we are supporting our consumers, investor and businessmen. We need to review the legislative and normative framework that shapes the business environment. Any bottleneck must be removed. We need to create such a business-friendly environment as would attract foreign investors and make them feel in a safe and fair environment. I expect you to develop new projects for presentation to the outer world,” the Head of Government said, adding that the Ministry was supposed to set an example with its high-quality management and working model, introduce modern management methods.
The Premier stressed the importance of close cooperation between the Ministry and the banking system. “We need to understand what we want to do in our country, which way we should proceed and what kind of playing field is to be created to accommodate businesses. We need to create a fair, level playing field. The Government should stand by those having the idea, courage and strength to create added value. They should be assured that we are on their side in all instances: taxation, enforcement and so on. Once we achieve this goal, the country will progress: there is no alternative. In view of the above, I look forward to your purposeful and devoted work.”
