The draft medium-term public expenditure program for 2019-2021 was discussed in the parliament

September 14, the Republic of Artsakh National Assembly hosted a discussion of the draft medium-term public expenditure program in which NA President Ashot Ghoulyan, Vice-President of the National Assembly Vahram Balayan, responsible persons of the factions, members of the head commissions and representatives of the executive power headed by State Minister Grigory Martirosyan took part.

The Minister of Finance of Artsakh Republic Arthur Harutunyan, referring to the planned in 2019-2021 macroeconomic indicators, noted that GDP in 2019 will be 333.2 billion drams, in 2020 - 367 billion drams, and in 2021 - 404.2 billion drams.

Own budget expenditures in 2019-2021 are projected at a rate of 56, 68 and 70 billion drams respectively.

The expenditure part of the budget in 2019 will make 110.7 billion drams, in 2021 - 111 billion drams, in 2021 - 112.6 billion drams. According to the Minister of Finance, in the specified period, a budget with a surplus is planned.

Continuing to present the medium-term expenditure program, State Minister Grigory Martirosyan pointed to the expected changes in the spheres. In particular, in the sphere of agriculture, increase the financing of the drip irrigation system, as well as the programs implemented by the Fund for Assistance to the Villages and Agriculture, Increased assistance to districts for the purpose of carrying out work on improvement and removal of garbage, increased funding for research on underground water resources and capital investments. According to the state minister, it is also planned to increase tax revenues, and the main emphasis will be put on the development of agriculture and other sectors of the economy.

"2018 is projected to be completed with a GDP of over 300 billion drams, instead of the planned 291 billion drams," Grigory Martirosyan said.

The deputies asked representatives of the executive branch about the increase in the minimum wage, pensions, programs to stimulate the birth rate, the introduction of programs aimed at minimizing damage from natural disasters in the agricultural system.