The Azerbaijani authorities will consider raising salaries and pensions in 2013. This will be done within the framework of traditional social policies pursued by the current head of state, the Minister of Finance, Samir Sharifov, told a meeting of the Economic Policy Commission of the Milli Mejlis of Azerbaijan, dedicated to the bill on the execution of the state budget for 2012.
"As you know, a decision to raise pensions and salaries is made at certain times of the year, due to the peculiarities of the execution of the state budget. Despite the fact that 2012 was completed with virtually no inflation against growth of the money supply on the market, the increase in pensions and salaries will be implemented in 2013 as well," the Minister said.
According to him, the state budget is transparent and presented openly to the parliament. "We have nothing to hide, all sections are open, but even if we do not provide you some information, the Accounting Chamber certainly will," Sharif said.
Sharifov also said that the question of the suspension of subsidies to the regions is pressing. "We probably will not be able to take such measures for all regions at once, but must provide them with an appropriate basis for development: to build conditions for the creation of new jobs, which will lead to an increase in tax revenues, and the income of the region as a whole. I think we will solve this problem," the Minister said.
