Yerevan, October 18, ArmenPress: State subsidies to the province of Armavir rose from 29 million Armenians drams in 1998 to 142 million drams in 2004, which, according to the province's governor, Albert Heroyan, is an apt illustration of real economic growth. Another indication of the robust economic growth, according to the governor, is a significant increase in teachers' wages which have risen to 30,000 drams (approximately $60).

Heroyan said the sale of some 14,000 hectares of formerly state reserve lands in the province will bring some $23 million to the provincial budget.. He said more than 1,000 hectares of that land was already auctioned and the raised proceeds, according to the law, will go for improvement of local infrastructure facilities, health and education sectors.

The governor also said many families that had chosen to leave the provinces are now coming back. "We are planning to build three blocks of apartments for them," he said.