SECOND DRAFT PROGRAM ON DEVELOPMENT OF TAVUSH MARZ SUBMITTED TO
GOVERNMENT

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YEREVAN, JUNE 21, NOYAN TAPAN. The second draft program on development
of Tavush marz (province) was developed and submitted to the RA
government. The draft-related proposals of departments were sent to the
RA minister of territorial administration. After being amended, the
program will be submitted to the goverment for approval, the governor
of Tavush marz Armen Ghularian announced at the June 20 press
conference.

He linked successful implementation of the program to the fact that the
program of proportional territorial development of the RA has been
reflected in the pre-election program of the Armenian president and in
the 2008-2012 programs of the government. According to the regional
governor, the first program (2003-2007) cost 70 bln drams (about 229.5
mln USD) and the UK DFID allocated 1 million pounds for its
implementation. Among the program’s priorities were development of
communities, agriculture, social sectors (education, health care,
social security) and small and medium business. The second program will
also involve environmental protection sector (problems of forest
restoration, garbage disposal, sanitary cleaning, mine operation, water
resource management).

During the press conference, the British ambassador to Armenia Charles
Lonsdale said that they and the regional governor also discussed the
development programs which were worked out and are being implemented
with the assistance of the DFID-financed Armenian Regional Development
Project. Although the UK finishes these programs’ financing in 2008,
the programs will be funded from other sources, the ambassador said,
adding that the programs implemented in Tavush marz and Ijevan may
serve as an example for other Armenian marzes and cities.

According to the DFID Armenia Office director Artashes Darbinian, in
launching its cooperation with Armenia, the DFID selected Tavush and
Gegharkunik marzes because their authorities had a great desire to
assist with the programs, which was reflected in their successful
results. Among the programs completed in Tavush marz are the regional
development program and the Program on Public Sector Reforms. The
speaker attached importance to involvement of regional NGOs in the
indicated programs’ implementation, which contributes to their rapid
process.

C. Lonsdale who had paid his first visit to Tavush marz (Ijevan,
Haghartsian, Dilijan) said that the marz left a positive impression on
him. In his words, although there are no programs on regional tourism
development, they plan to expand cooperation with unions of
businessmen, which will also promote tourism. In his opinion, Armenia
has great potential for tourism development, but this potential is not
being used to the full. He pointed out the low level of
infrastructures’ development in Armenia: the absence of pedestrian
roads near the sights, lack of maps, the small number of high-quality,
affordable lodgings in rural areas. On the other hand, the ambassador
attached special importance to the Armenians’ ability of free,
immediate communication.