YEREVAN— The Armenian government has introduced a draft proposal to restructure state spending limits for hosting foreign delegations, a move estimated to require an additional AMD 100 million (approximately $276,000) from the state budget.

Drafted by the Ministry of Finance, the new regulations aim to replace rigid maximum spending caps established in 2009 with general expenditure criteria. This shift will grant state bodies greater flexibility to determine representational expenses—such as hotels, meals, gifts, translation, and transportation—based on current market rates and procurement contracts.

The ministry noted that a complete overhaul is necessary due to significant price increases for goods and services over the past seventeen years.

Among the specific adjustments, the proposal updates hotel accommodation rules by tying reimbursement tiers directly to guest status. Official dignitaries and delegation members may have costs covered for 4- or 5-star hotels, while other categories will be capped at 3- or 4-star accommodations, replacing the current uniform 4-star limit.

Additionally, the draft tightens regulations on transit, stipulating that foreign guests will no longer have their travel expenses covered by Armenia's state budget except in rare, exceptional circumstances.