Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced today that the payment for non-cash purchases made by consumers will be increased starting from November 2023. Currently, 5% of this payment is covered by banks, but the government will now take on the remaining 5.2 billion drams. Pashinyan stated that if banks choose not to participate, consumers can work with another bank. He also highlighted the issue of landlords not accepting non-cash payments, a violation of the law, and expressed the need for comprehensive education on this matter. The Prime Minister instructed the Minister of Finance to focus on this issue and present a report.

Pashinyan also addressed the low utilization of cash terminals in the country, with only 7 million drams of non-cash proceeds being used this year despite more than 500,000 non-cash payments being received by residents. He urged the establishment of cash terminals in different regions and stated that 1,000 terminals have already been installed but have not been used for transactions.

Starting from January 1, the entire budgetary payment will be made from the state budget, and tenants and landlords must comply with non-cash payments to receive this payment. Pashinyan emphasized the need for awareness and promised to address the issue from today, working alongside the Minister of Finance to find a solution.