Azernews.Az

By Rashid Shirinov

Armenian MPs have started discussions on the state-budget for 2018, which was assessed by economists as lamentable.

Armenia’s new state budget is obviously a failure, and the country will surely face very hard times in the coming year, says economists.

“For three years we have not raised pensions, social and family benefits, but on the backdrop of this the inflation rate continues to rise. A 4-percent rise in the prices is foreseen for 2018, and a 2.7-percent rise was recorded in 2017, that is we already have a 6.7- percent inflation,” Nikol Pashinyan, the head of the Yelq faction, told local media.

If Armenia does not raise pensions and family benefits, then the government will be pursuing a policy aimed not at overcoming poverty, but at its deepening, the MP noted.

He reminded that in January 2018 new customs tariffs of the Eurasian Economic Union will come into force, and this will increase prices for various consumer goods, thus leading to social consequences..

Armenian newspaper Zhamanak has recently reported that starting from January 1, 2018, the excise tax on gasoline will increase in the country and reach $83 per ton instead of the current $52. Moreover, the excise tax on fuel and lubricants will increase by five times. The excise tax on alcoholic beverages and tobacco products will also rise, according to the newspaper.

Thus, not being able to conduct a proper economic policy, the Armenian government seeks to replenish the budget by robbing the people.

Meanwhile, the government intends to cut 5,560 jobs in the state system, which accounts for 4 percent of all jobs in the country. By acting so absurdly, the Armenian authorities will further increase the critical unemployment rate in the country and lead Armenia into an even deeper swamp.

---

Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz