Government must ensure economic growth to be able to boost the social sector, Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said.

“We will henceforth counter the reasons generating poverty and not the poverty as a serious challenge,” Prime Minister Sargsyan said during the discussion of 2012 state budget execution.

He noted lack of education and unemployment as the two key factors causing poverty. In this context, he attached special importance to the salary reform, with minimum wage to increase by 30% starting July 1.

“The reform will affect all fields starting January 1. A single scale will enable to reach consensus on the salary policy,” Prime Minister Sargsyan said, adding that the measures will target the internal resources in the face of the negative influence of the foreign markets.

“The state must pursue industrial policy. Consistent export growth rates will be henceforth ensured,” the prime minister said.