TACIS TO IMPLEMENT REGIONAL DEVELOPMEMT PROGRAM IN VAYOTS DZOR AND ARARAT MARZES

Noyan Tapan
Mar 19 2007

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.