Thursday, 27 October 2011
Rural Population Gets Privilege In Handling Wildlife Resources
A Cabinet sitting was held today, chaired by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan.
As suggested by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, the meeting held a minute’s silence to pay homage to the memory of those statesmen killed by terrorists this day twelve years ago (The Prime Minister’s remarks are posted separately).
The government decided to provide the settlers of forest-close villages with a privilege in the use of wildlife resources for the procurements of residual firewood, exempting thereby some 60.000 rural households from the duty of paying 1200 drams for 1 cubic meter of dry firewood.
In this connection, the Premier noted that the decision has a clear-cut welfare bias: “This issue had been taken up during President Serzh Sargsyan’s meeting with the representatives of border regions after which the President instructed us to look into the matter and find a solution acceptable to both the environmentalists and the rural population. While ensuring sufficient control on the part of law enforcement authorities, the decision entitles rural households to legitimate enjoyment of wildlife resources.”
Whereas agriculture is seen as economic priority in Armenia, considering the upward dynamics of export-oriented greenhouse businesses, the government decided to get a 49% stake in the capital of Armenia Crop Advancement Center CJSC through the purchase of 490 shares to the nominal cost of AMD10 thousand each. The Government Staff will be allocated the needed amount of 4.9mn drams. The management of the public stake so purchased will be entrusted to the chief presidential adviser with the latter’s consent. Implying the involvement of private capital, the program will also have a positive economic and social impact.
Highlighting this fact, the head of government said this pilot project can trigger hosts of new jobs. “If the given model of greenhouse development proves successful, we can have a large network of greenhouse farms over time with some 40-50 thousand jobs available nationwide.”
The meeting approved a set of tax and tax-related draft laws relevant to the 2012 State budget exercise in a bid to enhance revenue collection, improve the business environment and combat the black economy.
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan called attention on the need to get EU experts’ approval of the proposed amendments which must comply with European standards. In addition, the opinion of coalition partners should be taken into consideration before a consultative meeting is held with the President of Armenia.
All those bills discussed at the meeting, as well as the government’s findings will be referred to the National Assembly for approval in the manner established by law.
