No essential improvement has been registered this year, and the Government-reported figures will sup up the 2-2.5 per cent economic growth, the ex-premier of Armenia Hrant Bagratyan told journalists Dec. 23.

“The Government will be praising itself, the Opposition will be criticizing it. Economists showing a realistic approach will say the situation is really bad – a 14% economic decline worldwide against a 2% economic decline worldwide. This year, the world economy has shown a 4% growth, while Armenia’s economy a 2% growth,” Bagratyan said.

“With respect to reforms, we have not seen a singe step forward,” he said.

As regards the 2011 budget, he said: “The budget is 850 billion AMD. However, with a 26% inflation considered, it means next year’s budget is even smaller than the 2009 budget,” he said.