Republican Party of Armenia

 A Cabinet sitting was held today, chaired by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan.

The Government took note of the Ministry of Finance-submitted preliminary draft budget for 2014. Within a week’s time, the heads of public agencies will have to submit proposals to the Ministry of Finance concerning the initial version of the Bill. It was decided to hold 2014 budget bill-related discussions with the Premier starting this September 17.

The Government decided to allocate AMD 14.5mn to Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute SNCO to organize the activities of the expert group and the Secretariat of the State Commission for coordination of Armenian Genocide 100th anniversary commemorations, set up a Genocide 100th anniversary logo and slogan prize fund, as well as to launch the State Commission’s official website.

Armenia’s first free economic zone was established on February 2, 2012 under a government decree. A number of practical issues arose during the preparative stage, which call for a corresponding regulatory framework. The free economic zone is situated on the sites of RAO Mars CJSC and YCRDI CJSC. The decision seeks to streamline premises- and site allocation-related issues.

The government next redefined the deadlines and the list of commodities specified in an earlier decision made by Alternative Energy Ltd for the activities implemented under the investment program. The Company is set to invest over 2 billion drams on a 5-hectare greenhouse facility in Kotayk Marz, which is designed to annually produce some 1.4 billion dram-worth of output, most of which will be exported to Russia and Georgia. About 100 new jobs are expected with an average salary of AMD80 -90 thousand.

The meeting decided to create Justice Academy SNCO to develop knowledge and skills among the candidates for judge’s and prosecutor’s positions, harmonize academic programs and implement joint educational programs.

The Government amended an earlier decision, which used to set a procedure applicable to the care of elderly and disabled citizens. The amendment seeks to clarify the scope of people in need of special care, as well as to make a distinction between the target groups eligible for accommodation in special type and common-type asylums. The decision features a provision on “labor therapy” as a tool for social rehabilitation, and is expected to improve the quality of services provided in welfare institutions.