Sunday, 16 August 2015
PM Holds Grapes Harvest-Related Consultations in Provinces
On August 15, Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan traveled to Ararat and Vayots Dzor Marzes of Armenia on a working visit.
The Prime Minister first called at Aiguestan and Paruyr Sevak communities in Ararat Marz, where he talked to local farmers to learn firsthand their needs related to grapes harvest, refurbishment and improvement of community infrastructure. Hovik Abrahamyan assured that the Government would take up the issues raised in order to find solutions.
Then Hovik Abrahamyan visited Proshyan Brandy Factory LLC and Ararat Wine Factory LLC where he got acquainted with the plans to expand the production of brandy, wine, spirits, vodka and fruit preserves.
Proshyan Brandy Factory is engaged in brandy, wine, vodka and canned fruit production. Ararat Winery LLC deals with wine, grapes and fruit vodka production. Both companies have invested in quality and safety control systems and international standards. Their output is sold both at home and abroad.
After touring the facilities, Hovik Abrahamyan met with the heads of the plants and Artashat, Ararat, Vedi regional administrations. The meeting first discussed the problem of grapes procurement, since this year the grapes harvest exceeds the market demand. Hovik Abrahamyan stressed that the Government is set to support the processors so that the grapes are not left in the hands of farmers, and that the procurement price is the same as last year.
Hovik Abrahamyan said the Cabinet is looking at the possibility of assisting the processing enterprises so that they could purchase additional quantities of grapes.
The management of Proshyan Brandy Factory LLC reported that they had been processing increasingly greater amount of grapes in recent years, with about 14,000 tons of grapes processed last year.
The Company is going to purchase 15,000 tons of grapes this year and has already turned to the Government for assistance with the procurement of additional 10,000 tons of grapes. Ararat Winery LLC executives reported procurement of 10,700 tons of grapes last year. They are prepared to purchase as many grapes as the farmers can supply this year.
Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan asked and other problems faced in the aforementioned regions. Thanking the Premier for compliance with the commitments made during last year’s visit, the community heads presented their concerns - water supply, repair and improvement of infrastructure. Hovik Abrahamyan stressed that the Government will consider and, to the extent possible, give them a solution.
Wrapping up his short stay in Ararat Marz, Hovik Abrahamyan headed for Vayots Dzor Marz, where he visited Vayk town. The Head of Government familiarized himself with the local population’s problems and assured that the Government would try to give them solutions.
Then the Premier visited Ecopharm Company in Gndevaz community. The Company was founded in 2013 and is designed for cattle breeding and production of raw milk and cheese. To this end, 300 head of pedigree cattle was imported from Germany. The planned level of output is 1.16 million liters of milk per year. Designed and equipped in accordance with European and international quality and food safety standards, the complex currently employs 15 permanent and 45 seasonal workers with an average salary of 100-120 thousand drams.
Hovik Abrahamyan next went to Amulsar gold mine, which is operated by Geoteam Company, the Armenian branch of Lydian International. Hovik Abrahamyan toured the site getting acquainted with the ongoing activities, planned investment and jobs.
The company’s mining, environmental and social teams gave details of the project’s current stage, the process of environmental and social impact assessment, as well as planned investment and the amount of jobs to be provided during the construction and operational phase.
In particular, Director of Geoteam Hayk Aloyan said investment will amount to USD 426 million, State budget revenue – to USD 488 million. 1300 jobs will be created during the construction stage, with 770 jobs available during the operational phase. USD 2 million has already been spent on social programs, with USD 5 million spent on the study on compliance with international environmental standards.
During his visit to Amulsar, the Prime Minister was accompanied by US Ambassador to Armenia Richard Mills. The Ambassador welcomed the decision of the Government of Armenia to join the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative to ensure public transparency and development in that industry.
The next day, Hovik Abrahamyan traveled to Jermuk, where he visited the local art school and Zatik kindergarten.
Note that both programs are implemented by Lydian International through a package of corporate social responsibility.
At the end of his visit, the Premier met with the heads of Jermuk, Yeghegnadzor and Vayk town halls and discussed these towns’ development plans.
