A Cabinet meeting was held today, chaired by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

On the basis of the relevant recommendation of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, the Government adopted a decision on solving the housing problems of homeless families in the disaster zone. The decision seeks to address the housing needs of those state-subsidized housing program beneficiaries who have opted for the possibility of getting housing purchase a certificate.

A survey of 453 families has revealed that 227 of them preferred to receive financial support in the form of a certificate to buy a house. The Prime Minister noted in this regard: “At present, there are 453 families in Armenia, with regard to which the State has assumed a commitment to provide housing. Naturally, we had the political task of solving the problem of our compatriots as soon as possible, and we increased six-fold the funds allocated to that end by more than 400 million. Next year, AMD 3 billion will be earmarked for this purpose.”

Nikol Pashinyan further noted: “Our task should be to guarantee the appropriate urban and economic development of the city of Gyumri, which is in reality the only tool for overcoming poverty in Shirak. Our decisions have already been marked by economic activity and will also expand in the context of the creation and operation of the external economic zone. You know, in the near future, Ryan Air will launch flights to Gyumri, which is expected to become quite a lively tourist destination. All our actions must be oriented toward the prospect of Gyumri’s strategic development.”

Nikol Pashinyan stressed that poverty can only be overcome by means of labor and that education is the only way to well-paid jobs.

The Government approved the program of state support for small and medium greenhouses. The project seeks to increase the cultivated area and output volume of greenhouses through increased state support for small and medium greenhouses and their technological support in order to raise Armenian farmers’ competitiveness and incomes.

Highlighting the program, Nikol Pashinyan noted: “We are telling our compatriots that if they set up a greenhouse with these models, we will pay up to 50% of expenses in cash. That is to say, a person takes out a loan, invests his own money, builds it according to the appropriate standards, and we reimburse 30% to 50% of this amount.”

The Executive approved the draft law on the drafting of an addendum to the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Armenia “On RA Constitutional Court” and the law “On civil servants’ activities and social guarantees.” The Government’s legislative initiative to amend the law on customs duties by the Government of the Republic of Armenia was next approved. It suggests abolishing the air duty for new flight destinations.

In this connection, Nikol Pashinyan noted that a political decision had been made. “As a result of this decision, we currently have an airline that has decided to fly to Yerevan and Gyumri. The privilege is for everyone, we invite all airlines to come enjoy these same conditions. This will have an impact on the pricing of airline tickets and the development of economic activity in general,” the Premier said.

The Executive approved the proposal to sign the Budget, Economic and Public Sector Development Policy Support Facility between the Republic of Armenia and the EBRD. The Republic of Armenia shall be provided a budget support loan of € 45.8 million under the agreement. The funds will be used to finance the deficit specified in the state budget law for 2019; it is therefore important to have timely credits from the point of view of financing the expenditures envisaged under the State budget categories.