2011 budget earmarks 454 million AMD to Diaspora Ministry Artak Davtyan, Chair of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Science, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, today stated that 140 billion AMD was earmarked in the 2011 budget for these sectors. Last week, the National Assembly wrapped up the first phase of budget reviews and sent a list of proposed modifications back to the government, which has four days to come up with a new draft to submit to the legislators. According to MP Davtyan, the 140 billion comprises 3.7% of GDP and amounts to 14% of the total budget. Breaking down the figure, he said that 108 billion would go towards education, 9 billion more than last year. 9.4 billion is earmarked for the sciences; an increase of 1 billion over 2009. The Diaspora Ministry would be getting 454 million; communications and publishing – 4.5 billion, and culture/religion – 17 billion.