Saturday, 24 March 2018
Karen Karapetyan Holds Regular Consultation in Gegharkunik Marz
Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan traveled Sevan town of Armenia to get acquainted with the activities carried out in individual sectors and communities under Gegharkunik Marz development programs, as well as to discuss the tasks set for 2018.
Gegharkunik Marz Governor Karen Botoyan reported that 10.6% growth was recorded in actually collected own revenues as compared to the planned target in 2017. The actual performance made AMD 1,519,744 thousand (101.7%) against 97.4 percent in 2016. The Financial Officer of the Marz administration presented a comparative analysis of the own revenues indicators with other Marzes. Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan noted that considering the resources and the potential available in the region, the planned and actual own revenue indicators should be among the highest ones in the country.
“We must understand that citizens in a modern, developing country are supposed to have specific liabilities. There is no country in the world where no money is collected for waste management purposes; there is no country where property tax is not paid for land. You must reconsider and clearly formulate your budget in order to develop solutions.
The new rule of subvention that we have formulated and initiated has a simple rationale behind it: border villages are a separate item, all other communities will be supported if they shoulder part of the burden. In order to understand whether they take on the right amount of responsibility or not, we should have a clear idea of the existing potential,” Karen Karapetyan said.
Karen Botoyan pointed out that there is great development potential in renewable energy, and a number of investment projects have been launched to tap it. In particular, it is envisaged to implement the Solar Photovoltaic Station Construction investment program in Greater Masrik community on 97 hectares of land.
According to the Governor, the other direction for the development of renewable energy is the construction of wind-powered plants for which the northern part of the province is considered as the most prospective. An agreement has been reached with the Spanish Acciona Energy Global over the installation of wind measuring stations in the Varser community, and if the findings are positive, wind-powered plants with a capacity of 150 MW will be built at the cost of USD 40 million.
Another investing company in the field of wind power stations is the UAE-based Axis Infra Central Aequa Limited, which envisages the construction of 132 MW wind power stations on 638 hectares in Tsaghkunq, Geghamavan, Semyonovka, Ddmashen and Tsovagyugh communities. The total volume of investment is AMD 90 billion, with 350 jobs to be proided.
It was reported that 13,300 million drams were invested in capital construction in the period under review. Roads have been built and rehabilitated, the construction of Sevan Medical Center continued, water supply systems were refurbished, schools and cultural facilities, kindergartens were reconstructed. Gas pipelines were set up in two communities, the construction of basic school N2 in Gavar town was launched.
Regarding waste management, 1725 contracts were said to have been signed with economic entities in 2017. 2168 legal entities are currently registered in the region. The amount of garbage collection fees is expected to increase 2.4 times in 2018.
Stressing that the garbage collection tariffs should correspond to the average national index, the Prime Minister instructed to revise the planning approaches. The Head of Government attached importance to the proper organization of waste management activities especially in the area adjacent to Lake Sevan, taking into consideration its tourist attractiveness.
“It is extremely important for the citizens to understand that if they pay for waste management, things may change for the better in everyday life. We have decided that those communities off transit roads and free from the traffic of heavy vehicles shall face the task of improving and rehabilitating internal roads. No standard solutions should be found. Central street lighting should be addressed and garbage cans should be installed. You do not need much money to do this. You should think of how to use the local resources.”
With reference to investment programs, the Governor noted that the volume of private investments was 7,814 million drams in 2017. The number of jobs created is 440. The private sector will invest AMD 32,818 million in 2018. 687 jobs will be created, mostly in mining industry, tourism, energy and light industry.
The gross agricultural output in Gegharkunik Marz amounted to about 123.8 billion drams, or 536,600 drams per each inhabitant. About 50 hectares of orchards irrigated through the drip system were established in Shoghakat community in 2017-2018. Within the framework of the Financial Leasing Program, 15 beneficiaries purchased 56 units of farm machinery in 2018. This figure is expected to reach the mark of 74 in 2018, resulting in 20% growth in this area.
Prime Minister Karapetyan underscored that there should be a higher level of growth taking into account the existing potential and opportunities.
It was reported that in 2017, public healthcare services and other receipts made up 225,900 thousand drams (8.2% of the total budget) against 202.1 million drams in 2016. Paid services and other receipts are expected to reach AMD 316,300 thousand in 2018, which will make up 12.1% of the total budget. The Head of Government instructed those responsible to try to increase the level of paid healthcare services.
Referring to the question that there is a problem of modernization of medical equipment in the local medical centers, Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan suggested considering possibility of attracting private managers to the management of medical institutions, which will promote the technical re-equipment of the facilities and improvement of service quality.
The Premier instructed to exchange experiences with other regional healthcare facilities and formulate the expectations and proposals of the private investor on the basis of the assessment of their own needs. It will contribute to the development of healthcare business in the region and to the quality of services provided.
Regarding the work done in the field of education, the responsible officer reported on the efforts aimed at providing better conditions for children to practice sports, learn foreign languages and get engaged in different activity groups.
Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan highlighted the need for providing the necessary conditions for children’s involvement in various activities and ordered to formulate a program and establish a clear timetable, with the prospect of filling the gap by this yearend.
It was noted that tourism development is a priority in the Marz. In the reporting year, the number of tourists rose to 83 thousand; 520 seasonal jobs have been. It is envisaged to invest 3.24 billion drams in 2018 in this sphere that can result in some 117 jobs.
In the Kalavan community, where a serious and effective tourism program is being implemented, 7 guest houses were built in 2017. The number of visitors was 1800. More than 5,000 tourists are expected to visit this year.
The meeting next focused on the community development programs and ongoing activities, the problems faced and the steps to take ahead. In order to succeed in implementing the programs, the Premier suggested negotiating with investors in an effort to get them involved in the proposed activities.
Reference was also made to the Sevan National Park Reform Program. In this context, issues related to cooperation between the Sevan National Park and adjacent communities were discussed.
