Armenian president charges new govt with accelerating growth in 2012

Interfax, Russia
June 18 2012

Armenian president charges new govt with accelerating growth in 2012

YEREVAN. June 18

Armenian President Serzh Sarkisyan said at an extraordinary cabinet
meeting on Monday that the new government formed after the
parliamentary elections in May must ensure economic growth of 7% in
2012.

Armenia’s state budget targets GDP growth of 4.2% for this year.

“The main expectation from the activities of the government in 2012 is
ensuring 7% economic growth. But economic growth is not a goal unto
itself. Our objective is to build strong foundations for sustainable
and gradual economic development, reduction of poverty and its
elimination in the foreseeable future,” Sarkisyan said.

He said the new Cabinet has not changed dramatically, “but this does
not meat that we don’t expect revolutionary changes from the
government.”

At the Monday meeting, the Cabinet approved a five-year program of
action. Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisyan said the program targets
annual economic growth of 5-7% in 2012-2017.