Presidential Staff Returns Saved Funds to State Budget

The Presidential Staff of Armenia, headed by President Armen Sarkissian, has returned saved funds to the state budget after spending only 1 billion 700 million 267 thousand drams out of the allocated 2 billion 38 million 937 thousand drams from last year’s budget. This information was presented by the head of the Presidential Staff, Emil Tarasyan, during a joint meeting of the permanent committees of the National Assembly discussing the annual report on the execution of the 2018 state budget.

“The revised annual plan of the Presidential Staff for 2018 amounted to 2 billion 38 million 937 thousand drams, out of which 1 billion 700 million 267 thousand drams were actually spent. This constitutes 83.39 percent of the revised budget. As a result, 338 million 670 thousand drams were saved and returned to the state budget,” Tarasyan stated.

Throughout 2018, the Presidential Staff ensured the implementation of powers assigned to the President by the Constitution and laws. Tarasyan also noted that, in particular, 523 laws adopted by the National Assembly were ratified, 47 international treaties were signed upon the government’s proposal, 6,744 individuals were granted Armenian citizenship through decrees and orders, 7 highest diplomatic and class ranks were awarded, 6 highest military ranks were conferred, 13 honorary titles were granted, and 216 individuals were honored with medals and decorations.

During the year, 585 decrees and orders were developed and submitted for the President’s approval.

The majority of projects implemented by the Presidential Staff in 2018 were related to public administration and the preservation of republican territorial governance bodies. Under this program, the annual revised plan of the Presidential Staff amounted to 1 billion 694 million 840 thousand drams, with actual expenditures reaching 1 billion 391 million 216 thousand drams, making up 82 percent of the revised budget, and about 303 million drams were saved. Notable savings were made in employee salaries and bonuses, totaling 194 million drams. Savings from energy, utilities, and communications amounted to 28 million drams, 43 million drams from foreign operations, 12 million drams from office, transport, and household materials, 6 million drams from current repairs of structures and equipment, and 16 million drams from other expenditures.