Wednesday, 19 June 2013
Prime Minister Introduced To Work Done Under His Instruction And New Investment Programs In Lori Marz
As part of his June 18 visit to Lori Marz, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan called at several communities.
In Martz community, Tigran Sargsyan got acquainted with the current state of the local high school, which serves 84 pupils from some 110 households. On instructions from the head of government, funds had been allocated from the State budget to overhaul of the school and build a new gym hall. The project is due to complete in September, 2014.
The Prime Minister also talked to the residents of the community to learn their problems. The latter thanked the Premier for attention and thoughtfulness of their needs. A preparatory class is due to be operational in Martz as early as this September.
Then Tigran Sargsyan visited the completely renovated primary health center in Shahumian community, where he was introduced to the work done on his instructions. To remind, last year the residents of Shaumyana addressed personally to the Prime Minister to carry out the reconstruction of the center, which was in a deplorable condition.
The overhauled center serves some three thousand inhabitants. AMD30mn was spent on the reconstruction of the center. The staff expressed satisfaction with the work done and once again thanked the Prime Minister for tackling their problems.
The Prime Minister last stop was at Gloria clothing factory in Vanadzor. Tigran Sargsyan walked around the factory, getting acquainted with the activities and upcoming programs of the company.
It was reported that the factory produces clothing of various types in accordance with the market demand. Originally the company used to cooperate with several client organizations from Germany (Lebec, GB, Kubler, Grafegger, cooperation with which continues to this day). Later on Gloria expanded its operations and signed a new agreement with the Italian company “SARTIS” in 2009. The latter commissioned Gloria to make high-quality men's and women's jackets for export to Europe, mainly to Italy.
To comply with the European standards, SARTIS provides Gloria with modern equipment as stipulated in the contract.
To prop up corporate operations and generate additional jobs in the region, the government supports Gloria on a regular basis by providing tax incentives. In particular, a decision has been made to apply the “temporary import" customs regime for the goods imported by the company, which will be extended until September 29, 2013.
In general, the customs regime covers some 59 names of sewing machines and 913 pieces of equipment. As a result, in 2012 alone the company produced and exported garments to a total cost of AMD213.9mn that is 3.2 times as much as in 2010, when Gloria started collaborating with “SARTIS.” Last year, the company released clothes worth 665,700,000 drams, a 65.5% increase over 2011.
Cooperation between Gloria and SARTIS will be continued, with the contract extended for another period of five years, which gives the opportunity to create more jobs on the long run.
On June 12, 2013, Gloria reiterated its request for extension of the “temporary import” customs regime. The company’s investment program is under consideration by the authorities concerned.
Should the government comply with Gloria’s request, it may expand activities up to 670 million dram worth output by 2016 against 420 million in 2013. The program will help increase the number of jobs from the current 550 to 1000 in 2016.
