Friday, 8 December 2017
Syunik Marz Governor Reports Progress in Implementation of Prime Minister’s Instructions
Syunik Governor Vahe Hakobyan reported to the Prime Minister progress in the implementation of Premier’s assignments issued at the July 29 consultation held in Syunik Marz of Armenia.
The Premier was briefed on the ongoing investment programs, some of which are nearing completion. In particular, an airplane (USD5.5 million) has already been purchased under the Kapan airport re-commissioning project. The main building is being built at this point of time (USD2.5 million). The airport is scheduled for completion in May-June, 2018.
The construction of an Italian pizza factory with an investment cost of around USD500, 000 has been completed. The factory will provide some 100 jobs, and the main export market will be Iran.
In late January, 2018, a knitting factory worth about USD500,000 will start functioning in Geghi community, which will provide 100 jobs, with the output to be exported to Ukraine. Talks are underway with Italian partners to launch a large knitwear producing facility in Kapan, which will offer over 600 jobs. In the second half of December, a multi-brand outlet complex and a cinema theater boasting modern equipment will be opened in Kapan.
The Governor advised that this year the total amount of investment has already exceeded the mark of USD10 million, which is expected to redouble in 2018. The Syunik Development and Investments Fund was said fully operational, which in cooperation with the Zangezur Copper and Molybdenum Combine Fund has implemented social programs equivalent to AMD 2.5 billion.
Coming to agriculture, the Governor reported that 10 units of farm machinery had been made available under the State-administered financial lease support program. Work is underway to raise public awareness of the Government’s targeted subsidy programs for farmers and increase the number of beneficiaries. Vahe Hakobyan briefed the Premier on the ingoing discussions over the solution of water-related issues in Syunik Marz.
The Head of Government told him to join the State Water Management Committee for the reinforcement of water reservoirs and implementation of public-private partnership-based water reservoir construction projects.
In compliance with the Prime Minister’s standing instruction, specific work has been done to increase the level of communities’ own revenues in Syunik Marz. In this connection, Vahe Hakobyan reported that own revenues grew by nearly 20% in 2017 as compared with 2016; this year’s performance is 107.2% (the highest in Armenia) against last year’s 103.2%. As the Governor noted, Syunik Marz holds leading positions in terms of both per capita income (AMD 11900) and revenue collection.
The following indicators have been recorded in the field of garbage collection. Under the Clean Armenia program, 137 landfills have been explored, of which 83 have been closed, with 6 others due to be closed in the near future. Garbage collection contracts have been signed with over 1,800 economic entities (45%). This figure will be increased up to 2000 in 2018.
Appreciating the work done so far, the Prime Minister noted however that the results recorded in the field of waste and garbage disposal were insufficient, and suggested taking up the matter after a short period of time.
Receipts in paid healthcare services grew more than twice this year as compared with 2016: AMD 350 million has already been raised against last year’s 150 million. The medical centers of Goris and Kapan are due to be replenished with new equipment in 2018 that will help boost their profitability.
