On March 12, Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan paid a working visit to Vayots Dzor Marz. The Premier discussed issues related to the development of communities and specific sectors of the economy, including tourism.
The Head of Government visited a number of industrial enterprises. The Prime Minister first met with the leadership of health resorts and hotels in Jermuk to discuss ways of boosting tourism in the region. Issues of development of infrastructures, catering and recreational facilities, services have been discussed.
The Prime Minister noted that it would be impossible to attract tourists to Jermuk without building the necessary infrastructures. “We will do our best to attract investors to Jermuk; we are interested in reviving entrepreneurship over here. We look forward to receiving a comprehensive program of tourism development from the Mayor’s Office based on public-private sector partnership that would help extend the tourism season. Today there is no shortage of money in the world, there is a lack of effective ideas,” Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan said.
The Prime Minister next visited Jermuk Group, which deals with bottling of mineral water. The Head of Government toured the facilities to get acquainted with the investments made so far, the company’s output capacity and development prospects.
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AMD 5 billion has been invested already, of which 3.4 billion went to the purchase of modern equipment. The company has 370 employees. As the management assured, new investments will lead to 15% rise in jobs.
Karen Karapetyan left Jermuk Group for the Yeghegnadzor cannery, which came into operation in June 2015. The output is being marketed in both Armenia and abroad. The company employs 240 people. The range of products and exports will go up during the year. The Premier stressed the importance of developing farm produce processing entities, which in turn could propel the agricultural sector in the region.
The Prime Minister next called at Golden Goat cheese-making factory in Yeghegnadzor, where he got acquainted with the ongoing and planned activities. Karen Karapetyan was told that operational since 2009, the company has invested 200 million drams in the production of goat milk-based cheese products.
The plant has annual capacity of 110-120 tons – 15 times as much as in 2009. 90% of the output is exported to Russia, with the balance realized on the domestic market. Work is underway to organize exports toward Ukraine and Iran.
The company runs an animal farm, which supplies 30% of goat milk, while 70 percent is purchased from other farms in the region. Note that an investment program for the development of Golden Goat has been submitted to the Government and is under consideration by the National Center for SME development.
Then Prime Minister Karapetyan visited the temple complex in Noravank where he met with the local community heads to discuss community development agenda.
Karen Karapetyan said the Government is introducing a new culture of regional management. “All provinces and communities must submit a five-year development plan based on specific methodology. Considering it as an extremely important instrument, we will respond to all of them. Having well-constituted and balanced communities is the first point where we can improve the lives of our citizens. Once each of you understands your assets and weaknesses – your starting point, employment, unemployment, average salary and income, cost of services etc. – you will be able to cope with the proposed tasks. We shall pay special attention to leading communities. We will stand by the strong to motivate others. We must ensure balanced territorial and economic development through joint efforts,” Karen Karapetyan said, noting that if communities are to be successful and engage in effective cooperation with the Government, they should proceed according to a clear-cut action plan and methodology.
