TACIS TO IMPLEMENT REGIONAL DEVELOPMEMT PROGRAM IN VAYOTS
DZOR AND ARARAT MARZES
19-03-2007 20:00:00 | Armenia | Economy
YEREVAN, MARCH 19, NOYAN TAPAN. The EU TACIS Program will
implement a regional development program in Vayots Dzor and
Ararat marzes. Within the program's framework, work of 670
thousand euros will be done in Vayots Dzor marz in 2007, and
that of about 1 mln euros - in Ararat marz.
The governor of Vayots Dzor marz Samvel Sargsian said at
the March 19 press conference that particularly, wine and cheese
laboratories, as well as a tourist center in line with modern
requirements will be created. Besides, loans will be provided to
farms with the aim of implementing small programs in
communities.
According to S. Sargsian, there are prospects of developing
agriculture (viticulture, vegetable growing), industry
(production of mineral water, wines, building stones) and
tourism in the marz. It was noted that 500-600 jobs will be
created under the program.
The governor stated that over the past two years, work of
about 15 mln USD has been done in the irrigation system and
intraeconomic networks of the marz thanks to state assistance.
Repairs of the local tinned food factory and supplying the
city of Eghegnadzor and adjacent villages with drinking water
were pointed out as the main problems of Vayots Dzor.
The governor of Ararat marz Alik Sargsian said that mining
industry and fish production are developing in parallel with
agriculture in the marz. In his words, Ararat marz accounts for
8% of the total industrial production of Armenia, with
Araratcement Plant, Masis Tabak Plant, and the tinned food
factories of Artashat and Ararat operating in the marz. The
governor noted that Ararat marz has prospects of tourism
development - the ancient capital cities of Armenia - Artashat
and Dvin, Khor Virap, a lot of churches and historic monuments
are located here.