YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN. According to the 2006 programmed indices, the financing of the RA presidential staff was envisaged to make 2.625 bln drams (over 6.3 mln USD). The fulfilment made 99.98%. 60 mln drams was additionally allocated in 2006 from the government's reserve fund for regulation of some unforeseen current issues. The head of the RA president's staff Armen Gevorgian stated this at the September 4 joint sitting of the RA National Assembly standing committees for discussion of execution of the 2006 RA state budget. The speaker noted that since 2005, 100 mln drams is allocated annually to the RA president's staff for the purpose of allocating grants to NGOs. According to A. Gevorgian, the first two years showed that this is "quite an efficient mechanism" of state assistance to NGOs. 19 out of 102 NGOs, which submitted bids for participation in tenders in 2006, have been announced the winners.

---