Thursday, 28 November 2019
Public expenditure management efficiency will be improved: Government approves PFM system reform strategy for 2019-2023
A Cabinet meeting was held today, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan.
The Government approved the strategy and the action plan to implement the Public Finance Management (PFM) system reform for 2019-2023. The reform will improve the efficiency of public expenditure management system and the quality of services provided. The PFM system’s primary task is to enforce compliance with the applicable regulations, as well as to ensure that the management of resources is consistent with the principles of conservation, profit-making and effective management, and that the principle of “quality at an affordable price” is respected.
The implementation of PFM reforms is aimed at improving financial discipline and compliance, as well as the level of control over the use of public resources. Tigran Avinyan stressed the need for introducing digital tools to address the issues specified in the strategy. With reference to the assessment of public services, the Deputy Premier noted that it is already under discussion. “I consider that the maintenance of sustained feedback with citizens, which has been discussed as part of our digital agenda, will be one of the best ways to understand how the citizens assess the quality of public services,” Tigran Avinyan said.
The meeting approved the Government’s 2019-2023 strategy for the penitentiary and probation sector, an action plan for its implementation in 2019-2023, the financial assessment of the project and the way of forming and organizing the Coordination Council’s activities, as well as the concept of state property management.
The Government passed a decision on allocating a site for construction of the Austrian Maternity and Child Hospital in Gyumri. On August 2, 2019, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Minister of Healthcare of the Republic of Armenia and the Foundation established by Vardan Srmakesh, a Swiss philanthropist of Armenian descent. The construction is planned to start in 2021.
Highlighting the decision, Tigran Avinyan noted: “The Government is making efforts to provide for harmonious regional development and, in particular, for the provision of high quality medical services. In this context, we highly appreciate the efforts made by any businessman or philanthropist to that effect. I think this is a very important project.”
The Government decided to allocate money to the Human Rights Defender’s Office with a view to establishing a regional office in Tavush Marz. As a result, the services provided by the Ombudsman’s office will be more accessible for the residents of Tavush Marz and especially for the inhabitants of border communities. Tigran Avinyan noted that the protection of human rights is among the Government’s priorities.
