Thursday, 9 December 2010
Dear National Assembly Speaker,
Dear Members of Parliament,
First of all, I wish to thank the members of parliament for interested discussion of the proposed State budget bill. We realize very well that there are numerous questions which still go unaddressed, but the package of proposals on the agenda and the planned joint actions inspire hope that the forthcoming reforms will yield tangible results for our citizens.
Indeed, we share those concerns expressed by the Speaker of the National Assembly concerning some outstanding issues - fair distribution of the tax burden on economic entities, fight against the black economy, betterment of tax administration and business environment. You may rest assured that they will be the center of our attention.
By saying “we,” I mean the Coalition, the Government and the National Assembly. We expect that with the assistance of coalition parties we will be able to cope with problems at issue.
At the same time, I want to advise you that at today’s cabinet sitting we approved a serious package of reforms which as included in the agenda of the National Assembly’s emergency meeting will provide responses to several outstanding questions.
Firstly, the set of business environment-related legislative amendments imply better conditions for economic entities: reduction of tax reports and tax payments, simplification of tax administration and licensing procedures, more transparency in all functions. The package to be submitted to your attention at the extraordinary sitting is believed to considerably improve the business environment in 2011.
Of course, the above will provide favorable conditions for budget execution in 2011. I understand that we will face some risks in implementing the budget of 2011. However, these risks will be kept in focus and we will take the necessary measures against such risks as may appear ahead.
Dear colleagues,
I also want to assure you that the package of proposals both submitted and yet to be produced by the opposition will be examined in detail, and we will accept any such proposal as will prove acceptable to the coalition government.
We hope to have a constructive dialog with the opposition on economic reform-related matters.
It is likewise obvious that the FY2011 State budget has a well-pronounced social dimension. If we compare it to the budget of 2010, we can see that the surplus revenue raised in 2011 will be used to finance welfare spending. This is believed to create a favorable environment for us to cope with those challenges facing the citizens of Armenia.
Dear colleagues,
In conclusion, thanking you once again for interested discussion, I would like to urge you to vote for the proposed State budget bill.
Thank you.
