THE RA DEPUTY FINANCE MINISTER ASSURES THAT IN 2010 THE SOCIAL EXPENDITURES IN ARMENIA WILL AT LEAST BE PRESERVED ON THE LEVEL OF 2009

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 18, ARMENPRESS:In 2010 the social expenditures in Armenia – allowances, pensions, etc, will at least be preserved, in any case they will not be shortened over 2009. During today’s press conference in the Armenian Government the Armenian Deputy Finance Minister Vardan Aramian stressed that even in the difficult condition established in the state as a result of the world financial- economic crisis the expenditures have not reduced. Moreover, to smooth the social tenseness established in the state as a result of the crisis the Government enhances the social expenditures. “In the circumstance when we have 18.5% economic fall we intend to make social expenditures of 178 billion drams instead of 153 billion of the last year,” he said. According to the Deputy Minister this year 105 000 beneficiaries make use of the family allowance system instead of last year’s 122 000-123 000: the index has reduced as the illegal beneficiaries have been excluded from the list. The means saved are also addressed to the social expenditures. The unemployment allowance has also been preserved; instead of 2008’s 15000 this year it reaches 18 000 drams. V. Aramian considers it early to issue any figures on the 2010 state budget, as they are not yet final, nevertheless he stresses that during the next year the expenditures/GDP correlation will be 25-26% instead of 20-22% in 2009. In 2010 financing intended for a number of projects of vital importance are not liable to reduction, only reductions are possible in certain capital expenditures.