ArmInfo. According to forecasts laid down in the basis of the state budget of Armenia for 2020, the debt of the government of Armenia will reach 3.419 trillion drams ($ 7.177 billion) by the end of next year, which will be higher by 162 billion drams ($ 341 million) than the results of 2019. This was announced on December 19 during expert discussions at the RA Ministry of
Finance, at which a loan program for 2020 was presented with the participation of representatives of the financial market and international financial institutions. According to the official statement of the financial agency, in 2020, 448.7 billion drams will be required to pay off and service the government debt, of which 280.6 billion drams will be paid out by debt, and 168 billion - interest payments. In 2020 the weighted average interest rate on government debt will be 5.2%, and debt service costs - 2.4%.
The Ministry of Finance noted that it is planned to finance the budget deficit in 2020 without attracting budget support loans. The signing of a new loan agreement by the 2020 budget is not provided.
As for foreign currency government bonds (sovereign securities), repayment is planned on September 30, 2020 alone- in the amount of 46.5 billion drams ($ 97.7 million), for which the funds generated as a result of operations on foreign currency bonds in 2019 will be mainly used. At the same time, an increase in the debt balance of foreign currency government bonds is not expected, keeping it in the amount of $ 1 billion, while having in circulation 2 reference issues to be repaid in 2025 and 2029. According to the source, the borrowing program for 2020 is developed in accordance with the goals and benchmarks provided for in the strategic program of government debt management for 2020- 2022.