The Ministries of Economy and Finance in Armenia are set to exchange certain responsibilities. On January 22, during a session of the National Assembly, Finance Minister Vahe Hovhannisyan announced that this change is part of a package of amendments to the Law on the Structure and Activities of the Government.
Under the proposed changes, the Ministry of Economy will take over responsibility for the gambling sector, while the Ministry of Finance will focus on developing relations between the state and the private sector. Minister Hovhannisyan explained, “Gambling is a part of the economy, and the Ministry of Economy should be responsible for its development.”
He also noted that regulating relations with the private sector, particularly in the area of procurement, aligns more closely with the competencies of the Ministry of Finance.
However, the opposition in parliament has criticized the proposed changes. The “Armenia” opposition alliance argued that the amendments are “entirely inappropriate” and refused to participate in the vote, signaling their disapproval.
This initiative raises questions about its potential to improve governance efficiency and strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors.