ArmInfo. 2021 was a successful year in terms of the implementation of subvention programs in the regions of Armenia. Thus, in 2021, 678 programs were approved for a total amount of 48.5 billion drams, while in the period from 2018 to 2020 their number was 1192, and the amount of financing was 47 billion drams. This is stated on the official Facebook page of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures.
Due to the challenges of 2020, which were associated with the military situation and the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, the implementation of a certain part of the subvention programs for 2020, according to the head of the Department for Support of Territorial (Capital) Programs and Solid Waste Management of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures Narine Avetyan, was postponed for 2021. As she further noted, out of the programs envisaged in 2021, 605 were implemented, the share of co- financing from the state budget for which amounted to 13.7 billion drams. Of the total number of programs implemented in 2021, 256 programs are 2020 initiatives that cover various industries and a fairly wide geography.
In particular, the largest weight in 2021 fell on the programs for the construction, repair and asphalting of roads, with a share of 28% and funding of 18.5 billion drams. This is followed by programs for providing street lighting - 12.4% and 2.9 billion drams, providing drinking water - 8.8% and 4.9 billion drams, installing and repairing drainage systems - 11.6% and 3.3 billion drams.
In terms of geography, the leader in 2021 was Gegharkunik region, where 115 programs were implemented for a total cost of about 3 billion drams, followed by Lori - 111 programs for 1.5 billion drams, Kotayk - 95 programs for 1.9 billion drams , Aragatsotn region - 82 programs for 1.2 billion drams, Ararat - 78 programs for 2 billion drams and Armavir 60 programs for 2 billion drams.
According to Narine Avetyan, the procedure for submitting applications for the implementation of subvention programs will be changed from 2023. In particular, the programs, as she further explained, will be approved at the end of the year, which will allow them to start implementing them faster in the new year.