Friday, 5 August 2016
Prime Minister Visits Ararat Marz
Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan paid a working visit to Ararat Marz of Armenia. The Prime Minister first visited Ayntap community where he talked with the locals about their problems and answered a number of questions. The residents of Ayntap said to be mostly concerned about the problem of drinking water, which is supplied intermittently. Hovik Abrahamyan instructed those responsible to carry out appropriate work and improve the water supply as shortly as possible.
Then the Premier was briefed on the progress in construction of Aynap’s cultural center. The project cost is estimated at AMD592 million. At this point, 140 million-worth activities have already been carried out. The House of Culture will have a music school and a gym. The project is due to be complete in 2017.
Masis town was the Prime Minister’s next port of call. Hovik Abrahamyan chaired a town hall-hosted consultative meeting, which was attended by the heads of local communities. Ararat Marz Governor Rubik Abrahamyan reported that farming activities, including the harvesting of grapes were going on successfully.
Numerous projects are being implemented to improve infrastructure, educational institutions, roads, water supply systems and building roofs in Ararat Marz. Hovik Abrahamyan asked about the problems faced in communities and gave relevant instructions to those responsible.
The Prime Minister also visited the Golden Ax Armenian-Iranian slaughterhouse, which started operating in 2015. About USD3 million has been invested in the project. The slaughterhouse currently has 1 production line, which runs a single shift (the facility has the ability to work in 3 shifts).
100 people were said employed at the slaughterhouse. During a shift 650 head of sheep and lambs are subjected to slaughter, which makes 10-11 tons of daily output. Slaughter offal is processed on the spot. The fur is delivered to a Masis-based Italian company, which in turn exports the final product to Italy. 30 thousand sheep and lamb were slaughtered in January-July. The meat so produced is exported to the Islamic Republic of Iran. The slaughterhouse has a meat packing plant, where it is cooled and frozen.
Currently, chilled carcasses are exported to Iran, but there is also demand in the United Arab Emirates and the number of employees is expected to reach 250. The Premier stressed the need to have modern slaughterhouses in our country in terms of promoting food security and livestock development.
The Prime Minister next visited a fruit-drying enterprise in Surenavan. A total of USD250 million has been invested since its foundation in 2007. The factory is equipped with Ukrainian, Chinese, Korean modern equipment, which makes it possible to purchase 300-350 tons of fruit and berries annually. The factory produces fruit wafers, dried and candied fruits. To date, the company has already purchased about 100 tons of fruit. The head of the enterprise noted that they have no problems with product sales. They can increase exports if provided with the necessary amount of raw materials. Hailing the plant’s activities, Hovik Abrahamyan said the Government is ready to discuss options for assisting the company.
The Prime Minister left Surenavan for Vedi town where he called at the Art School to inspect the conditions of the institution. The school has 2 age groups featuring folk dance, painting and woodcarving, carpet weaving, tapestry, macramé and embroidery classes.
Chaired by Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan, a consultative meeting was held in Vedi Town Hall to discuss progress in those infrastructure projects carried out in neighboring communities.
In conclusion, the Head of Government visited Nor Kharberd and Aralez communities, where he met with local people, listened to their concerns and answered their questions.
