YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, NOYAN TAPAN. By the bill on the 2009 state budget, the budgetary revenues will make 905 billion drams (over 2 bln 938 mln dollars), which exceeds the 2008 index by a sum in Armenian drams equivalent to 500 million dollars. The budgetary expenditures are envisaged to make 946 billion drams, member of the parliamentary "Prosperous Armenia Party" (PAP) faction Vardan Bostanjian stated at the October 23 press conference. According to him, the budget's deficit is declining year by year. For example, in 2007 it amounted to 76 billion drams, in 2008 - 40 billion drams. V. Bostanjian said 30.5 bln drams of the 2009 deficit will be covered at the expense of domestic sources and only 9.5 bln drams - at the expense of foreign sources. The deficit will make up 1% of GDP. V. Bostanjian expressed an opinion that the 2009 draft state budget reflects the program goals of the government activities. As regards the ambitions to become regional financial, business and other centers, it is envisaged implementing such programs by 2012 inclusive.

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