Upload
smriti-sharma
View
231
Download
1
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
DECENTRALIZATION IN ARMENIA:FRAGMENTATION AND INERTIA
ARMENIA
• Attained independence from Soviet Union in 1991
• Achieved double-digit growth for several years• GDP started declining post 2009• GDP growth in 2012 – 3.8%• GDP - $ 10.5 billion (official exchange rate)• Population – 2.97 Million (July 2013 est.)• GDP per capita - $ 5,600 (2012 est.)
ARMENIA - GOVERNANCE
Govt. of Armenia
10+1 Administrative Regions(Governed by State Appointees)
915 Communities- 866 Rural- 49 Urban
FRAGMENTATION
• 915 Communities – Avg. community size 3,245 people
• Narrow scope of responsibilities and revenue sources
• Local government expenditure – 5-6% of consolidated public expenditure
• Lack of capacity & diseconomies of scale
RECOMMENDATIONS
• Emphasis on voluntary consolidation and inter-community collaboration
• Focus on strengthening capacity of local communities
• Sound local budget processes and improved local tax administration
• Equalization grant + Capital Development Grants + Expansion of local borrowing