YEREVAN. - Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan on Saturday visited the Public Council of Armenia and met with its members and President Vazgen Manukyan.
The Premier noted that such meetings give an opportunity to discuss the questions of concern to the public, the prospects of the country’s development and ways of their solution.
Karapetyan briefed the council members on the results of his 100-day activity and future actions. He underscored the importance of establishing the Center for Strategic Initiatives, whose aim is to promote the public-private sector cooperation.
The PM also referred to the investment programs, noting that in the future the agencies will present the packages of investment programs. “We will sum up all our investment programs next week. As to the Center for Strategic Initiatives, we will have brief information on certain programs and reforms already by March. We pin great hopes on this Center,” he stressed.
Touching on the issue of promoting local production, Karapetyan noted that he has instructed the Ministry of Economic Development and Investments to study the composition of import and discuss the issue of replacing the import by competitive local production.
President of the Public Council, Vazgen Manukyan, fo his part, pointed out to a number of factors hindering the development of Armenia, including the close borders, unfinished war, as well as the rooted stereotype in internal psychology and mentality.
The PM stressed that changing the psychology and mentality is one of the key issues, the main aim of the Government being to have educated, intellectual and literate society. “We should have educated, literate citizens and businessmen, literate farmers and soldiers,” he stressed.
Apart from this, Karapetyan responded to the questions of interest to the Council members and listened to their proposals and opinions on a number of issues of concern to the society. In particular, issues related to the economic policy, spheres of education, science, health, agriculture and nature protection, as well as bank sphere were discussed. Karapetyan proposed to present precise solutions to all the issues raised, as well as again meet and hold an additional discussion in case of proposals.
In response, Vazgen Manukyan stressed that the Public Council is ready to support the Government in all the initiatives stemming from the interests of the country and public.
