YEREVAN. - The discussion on the draft Armenian state budget for 2017 started in the government on Tuesday. It was presided by Armenian PM Karen Karapetyan.

The heads of various ministries and commissions submitted their proposals regarding the textual part Draft Law of the Republic of Armenia on State Budget for 2017.

Prior to the discussion, PM Karapetyan noted that it is necessary to radically review the tasks set before the state system and check the effectiveness of implemented work by means of measurable results. According to the PM, the expenses of the state system should be significantly reduced, ensuring the proper organization of necessary functions at the expense of the savings, which, however, should neither impact the work effectiveness nor be carried out at the expense of its quality.

Stressing the need for the structural changes and optimization of staff lists, Karen Karapetyan noted that the projects implemented by state budget shouldn’t be a burden for the taxpayers: they should be fixed in the state budget in case of ensuring necessary effectiveness in terms of meeting their goals.In this context, the PM stressed the importance of the economic feasibility for the function implementation of the institutions subordinated to the ministries and the resulting added value created for the citizens and economic entities.