ArmInfo.On November 29, Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan held a consultation involving the ministers and heads of departments, who delivered progress reports for the past two months, the press office of the Armenian Government has told ArmInfo.
Minister of Finance Vardan Aramyan said that over the period under review the Ministry took measures towards elaboration of the draft budget 2017 and enhancement of transparency of the public administration system.
Minister of Justice Arpine Hovhannisyan stressed the importance of approving two anti- corruption packages - the bills on penalization of illegal enrichment and on restriction of cash transactions.
Minister of Science and Education Levon Mkrtchyan pointed out the steps aimed at ensuring transparency when appointing school headmasters.
Minister of Economic Development and Investments Suren Karayan said that over the past few months an institutional platform has been created for a dialogue with the country's business environment, particularly, in the areas of tourism, industry, export, investment, as well as jewelry. He added that international forums and exhibitions have been held and 45 cooperation agreements will be signed.
As regards culture, the Prime Minister pointed out the need to involve business in this field and find different ways for implementation of projects.
Head of the General Department of Civil Aviation Sergey Avetisyan said that on December 1 Pobeda low-cost air carrier will launch flights to Shirak airport in Gyumri. He added that in 2016 civil air transportation will be record high (over 2mln) mostly due to the increase in inflow.
The reforms in the fiscal and customs bodies are still going on. Head of the State Revenue Committee Vardan Harutyunyan said that all the instructions of the Prime Minister are being carried out. He added that "one-stop-shop" service is being introduced in the State Revenue Committee of Armenia in collaboration with the State Food Safety Service.
Minister of Territorial Administration and Development David Lokyan noted that 24 investment programs were launched following the Prime Minister's visits to the provinces. 6 investment programs on processing of agricultural products will be completed by late 2016.
Minister of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources Ashot Manukyan said that the operations of modernization of the Yerevan TPP are still going on. It has become possible to increase the TPP capacity by 7 MW and to save 10 mln USD. The date of the tender on construction of the Armenia-Georgia power transmission line has been approved. The construction of the Armenia-Iran power transmission line has been resumed.
Minister of Agriculture Ignaty Arakelyan pointed out that the processing enterprises' debt to the farm enterprises has been reduced from 820 mln AMD to 211 mln AMD. Measures have been taken to organize export to Iran.
Minister of Health Levon Altunyan noted that as much as 1.8 bln AMD will be saved due to the optimization. The Prime Minister pointed out the need to attract well-known healthcare companies to the Armenian market.
Minister of Labor and Social Issues Artem Asatryan stressed that in January 2017 a new model of registration of people with disabilities will be presented. He said it is necessary to conduct a survey to find out the needs of physically challenged people in order not only to provide them with relevant benefits but also to make medical services and medicaments affordable to them.