YEREVAN. – The shape and approach, whereby the 2013 State Budget draft is introduced to the National Assembly (NA), is unacceptable for the NA Prosperous Armenia [Party] (PAP) Faction, PAP MP and NA Standing Committee on Economic Affairs Vice Chairman Mikayel Melkumyan stated during a press conference on Monday. “But a final decision has not yet been made,” he added.     

Also, he called into question the “Government’s forecasting capabilities.” As per Melkumyan, this June the Government had predicted a 3.8 percent economic growth, but the 2013 State Budget proposal is based on a 6.2-percent growth. “It is incomprehensible as to why the economic growth forecast changed in a matter of few months,” the PAP MP noted. 

Also, he expressed a view that the tax obligations need to be equitably redistributed between small and large businesses. In addition, Armenia’s mining industry royalties constitute a mere AMD 500 (approx. $1.24) for each ton of ore being extracted. “[And] I leave this for you to comment on,” Mikayel Melkumyan said. 

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan