YEREVAN, October 21. /ARKA/. The Armenian National Assembly committees are to open the 2016 draft budget discussion on November 2, the press office of the National Assembly reported on Wednesday.

The draft 2016 budget, approved by the Armenian government on October 1, projects a 2.2% GDP growth, a 4% GDP deflator index, 12-month inflation at 4% (± 1.5%) and a budget deficit of 3.5% of GDP. The budget calls also for 1.373 trillion drams in revenues and 1.183 trillion drams in spending.  The projected deficit is 197 billion drams.

On the first day of the discussion, the committees will gather for a joint session, which will be attended by Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan, Vice-Premier and International Economic Integration and Reforms Minister Vache Gabrielyan, Head of the Central Bank of Armenia Arthur Javadyan and Finance Minister Gagik Khachatryan.

Specialized committees are scheduled to embark on the budget discussion on November 9.
The discussion will be completed on November 12, and one day later the parliament's administration will submit written proposals to the government.

On November 16, the speaker will propose to put the draft budget on the National Assembly's floor. ($1 – AMD 472.99). ----0-----