Saturday, 8 August 2015
PM Visits Vayots-Dzor Marz
Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan paid a working visit to Vayots-Dzor Marz of Armenia where he called at production facilities and learned about various infrastructure programs completed or in the process in the local communities.
The Premier’s first stop was at “Old Areni” wine factory in Areni community. The Prime Minister walked around the company, familiarized with the production process, and investment programs.
It was reported that investments worth about 3.5 million dollars had been carried out over the past two years. As a result, the Company was furnished with high-quality French and Italian equipment. This year the factory will release 120 thousand bottles of fine wine, while it is planned to bring the number up to 250 thousand next year. The bulk of wine will be exported to Canada, United States, and to European Union over time. This year the company plans to process about 280 tons of grapes.
Then the Prime Minister visited Getap, Malishka, Zaritap and Gladzor communities, where he talked to the locals, got acquainted with the existing problems, the progress of agricultural works and infrastructure programs. In particular, work on the construction of 8.5 km-long gas pipeline is nearing completion in Getap commitment under the rural capacity development program, owing to which the community will be gasified at 100 percent. 96 million drams were invested in the program.
The residents of the community thanked the Prime Minister for assistance in gasification activities, construction of irrigation and drinking water supply systems, as well as for the major repair of their kindergarten as funded by the Government.
In the community of Malishka the Prime Minister familiarized himself with the course of construction of a 32 km-long gas pipeline. To this end, AMD355 million was under the rural capacity development program. Thankful for assistance with the gasification of the community, the village residents asked the Prime Minister to build the third building of the kindergarten. Hovik Abrahamyan promised to discuss the issue in the Government.
The residents of Zaritap thanked the Prime Minister for translating into reality the project of overhaul of the road section leading to the community and the construction of a 1.3 km-long water supply system. The head of the community advised that the design of Zaritap’s kindergarten overhaul is already complete for which 150 million drams will be invested. The local farmers informed that 60 farms had merged to form an agricultural cooperative, but they were facing some financial problems. The Prime Minister welcomed the initiative and promised to give the issue a favorable decision.
In Gladzor community, water-pipe construction work started in July and will be brought to completion next July. The project will cost 30.8 million drams, while AMD378 million will be allocated under the rural capacity development program. The program provides for the reconstruction of the entire internal and external network of drinking water.
Then Prime Minister visited the cannery of Yeghegnadzor, which began operating this June. The Head of Government was informed that the plant has already produced 270 thousand cans made from various ingredients. The products will be consumed in the country and abroad. The plant created 240 jobs. To this day, the cannery has processed some 200 tons of fruits and vegetables. The output capacity will increase to 900-1000 tons in the near future.
The Premier’s visit to Vayots-Dzor Marz was concluded with a consultative meeting held in the regional administration, which was attended by community leaders and representatives of the organizations responsible for the harvesting and processing of grapes. During the meeting, they discussed the organization of harvesting work.
Noting that abundant grapes harvest is expected this year, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of orderly implementation of purveying works. Hovik Abrahamyan noted that the Government attaches great importance to the development of winemaking.
“The Government stands by processing organizations, ready to assist and help you. We are prepared to listen to your suggestions towards the development of the winemaking industry in order to jointly make the right decisions, contributing to the development of the economy. I call on farms and processing organizations to work together for proper organization of procurement work in anticipation of an abundant harvest of grapes,” the Head of Government said.
During the meeting, the heads of processing organizations presented their development programs and the upcoming steps. They voiced a number of proposals aimed at the development of winemaking.
Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan expressed willingness to discuss them in the Government and take appropriate decisions on the basis of priority.
Agriculture Minister Sergo Karapetyan reported that nearly 4900 tons of grapes will be harvested and realized this year in Vayots-Dzor Marz through the efforts of 15-20 processing companies.
