I have got no information about the business activity of the Cabinet members, Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan said in the parliament today when submitting the government's programme for 2014-2017.
He said the businessmen will have to leave the Cabinet. "This is prohibited by Constitution. If there are any, they will leave," Abrahamyan assured. "Some people will criticize my personnel policy, but for me it is important not to hurry and appoint skilled personnel," PM emphasized.
For his part, the head of the opposition Armenian National Congress faction, Levon Zurabyan, pointed at appointment of Gagik Khachatryan as Armenia's finance minister. The latter owns several companies, including the net of supermarkets, UCOM telecommunication company, etc. Hovik Abrahamyan replied that by his activity Gagik Khachatryan proved to be a professional. He emphasized that Khachatryan had a big part in development of the Customs and tax systems of the republic. As for the off-shore scandal linked with the name of the former prime minister Tigran Sargsyan, Abrahamyan said he has got no information if that was an off-shore bargain or not.
To note, according to the government's programme for 2014-2017, minimal salary in Armenia will amount to 65 thsd AMD, at present, it is 50 thsd AMD. Economy will grow by 5% for a year and the poverty level will reduce by 10%.