The 2011 draft budget is by no means different from the 2010 budget in terms of either structure or proportions – or even eloquent statements in the budget message, Artsvik Minasyan, a member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun (ARF-D) parliamentary group, told NEWS.am. The 2011 draft budget does not in any way facilitate the resolution of problems facing Armenia. “Moreover, I think that it makes the threats in Armenia’s socio-economic life even graver, whereas Armenian’s competitiveness will by no means be raised,” Minasyan said.

“According to the budget message, the Government is allegedly implementing an industrial or agricultural policy. However, in our budget package you cannot find any specific program confirming the existence or financing of such a policy. The draft budget does not provide for the increase in wages, allowances or pensions. We get a complete picture if we consider the fact that the population’s living standards will be lower next year then this year and even in 2009,” Minasyan said. In other words, the real incomes go on decreasing despite the attempts to show wage increase in some sectors, particularly in the cultural sector.

This is, however, mainly accounted for by an 85 increase in the minimum monthly wages – 32,500 AMD against the previous 30,000 AMD. The 2011 draft budget does not provide for any radical measures to raise the income to the subsistence level.