Shadow economy, high unemployment, outflow of workforce and disappointing state of science are main challenges, Tatul Manaserian says
19.12.2012,
20:44
Shadow economy, high unemployment, the outflow of workforce and the disappointing state of science are the main challenges faced today by Armenia’s economy are, Tatul Manaserian, head of a think tank called Alternative, said to a news conference today.
YEREVAN, December 19. / ARKA /. Shadow economy, high unemployment, the outflow of workforce and the disappointing state of science are the main challenges faced today by Armenia’s economy are, Tatul Manaserian, head of a think tank called Alternative, said to a news conference today.
"From an economic point of view, the outgoing year was difficult, and, despite some progress, there were many challenges," he said. According to him, the government made some efforts to combat the shadow economy, but its level is still high.
Under the 2012 budget, the share of taxes in the GDP should make 17.36%, which is 0.6% more than in 2011. But according to the International Monetary Fund, there is a considerable reserve in Armenia for improving tax collection and increasing their share in GDP by 4-8%. The next year budget expects this indicator to grow to 21.88%.
"One can not fail to commend the government for organizing cash register receipts drawings aimed at changing the mindset of the people. However, there are still many problems, such as inflexible tax policy, and these problems are "closing oxygen", especially for small businesses, " he said.
On the outflow of young specialists Manaserian said the problem is not only lack of funding. Science today is given insufficient attention, and this is one reason of the outflow of young professionals and rising unemployment.
According to the State Employment Service, the number of jobless people, registered in regional employment centers, decreased by 10.8% from December 1, 2011 to 62,700. Some 21.2% of them were young people.
The 2013 state budget has earmarked 11.2 billion drams in funding for science, which is 0.246% of GDP. ($ 1 - 406.50 drams). -0-
"From an economic point of view, the outgoing year was difficult, and, despite some progress, there were many challenges," he said. According to him, the government made some efforts to combat the shadow economy, but its level is still high.
Under the 2012 budget, the share of taxes in the GDP should make 17.36%, which is 0.6% more than in 2011. But according to the International Monetary Fund, there is a considerable reserve in Armenia for improving tax collection and increasing their share in GDP by 4-8%. The next year budget expects this indicator to grow to 21.88%.
"One can not fail to commend the government for organizing cash register receipts drawings aimed at changing the mindset of the people. However, there are still many problems, such as inflexible tax policy, and these problems are "closing oxygen", especially for small businesses, " he said.
On the outflow of young specialists Manaserian said the problem is not only lack of funding. Science today is given insufficient attention, and this is one reason of the outflow of young professionals and rising unemployment.
According to the State Employment Service, the number of jobless people, registered in regional employment centers, decreased by 10.8% from December 1, 2011 to 62,700. Some 21.2% of them were young people.
The 2013 state budget has earmarked 11.2 billion drams in funding for science, which is 0.246% of GDP. ($ 1 - 406.50 drams). -0-
