2024-08-22 17:13:32
A meeting was held under the leadership of Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, during which the issues related to the implementation of investment programs supported by the Investment Support Center of the Ministry of Economy were discussed. Heads of responsible government departments, as well as representatives of companies implementing investment programs participated in the consultation.
At the beginning of the consultation, Nikol Pashinyan, in particular, stated: “We are holding today’s discussion for the following purpose. We will discuss the difficulties on the way to the implementation of investment plans. Essentially, investors and representatives of the bodies that deal with their problems must solve or fail to solve these problems are gathered around a table. As a result of these discussions, it is important for us to find out about the causes of problems, their objectivity or subjectivity, and try to understand why there are these problems that businessmen are talking about.”
Nikol Pashinyan noted that the purpose of the discussion is to listen to the problems that hinder the implementation and advancement of the programs and to find appropriate solutions.
The first investment project, which was presented for discussion, was related to the construction of a new multi-functional complex at the beginning of Yerevan’s Azatutyan Avenue. The investment program is valued at 10 million dollars, within the scope of which it is planned to create 220 jobs. The problem related to the implementation of the project is related to the existence of a historical and cultural canal in the area under construction.
Yerevan Mayor Hayk Marutyan, Acting Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Vahram Dumanyan, KGS Deputy Minister Ara Khzmalyan, Director of the Institute of Archeology and Ethnography of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia Pavel Avetisyan presented clarifications regarding the issue.
After listening to the clarifications presented by the officials, Nikol Pashinyan instructed the investor to present all the safeguards and standards related to the preservation of the historical and cultural canal within 10 days, as well as to make changes in one of the previous government decisions, which will be aimed at facilitating urban development projects. “The manager of the economy should get the answer to the question of what should be preserved and how,” said the acting prime minister.
The next investment program related to the construction of a tourist-cultural facility in Lusarat community of Ararat region. The project is valued at 14 million dollars, within the framework of which it is planned to create 50 permanent and 500 temporary jobs. The investor informed that he plans to build a winery, a wine house, a professional stage with modern technical means, a gallery in the complex. The problem with the implementation of the project is that the complex is planned to be built in the area of Old Artashat.
Pavel Avetisyan, Director of the Institute of Archeology and Ethnography of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia, noted that it is necessary to study whether there is archaeological material in the mentioned area or not. According to Avetsiyan, at least two months are needed for studies.
Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan considered the implementation of such a project in the area of Old Artashat, where there is archaeological material, unacceptable. Nikol Pashinyan proposed to start the excavation process with the financing of the economic operator in the near future and if it turns out that there is archaeological material in the area, then the regional administration will offer to implement the investment program in another area in the same community. The investor agreed to the proposal and expressed willingness to cooperate closely with the archaeological working group.
The next investment program concerned the modernization of the Yerevan Children’s Railway Park. The project is estimated at 160 million dollars, within the framework of which it is planned to implement the reconstruction of the park in accordance with international standards. The project was discussed in Yerevan Municipality. There were objections to its initial version.
After listening to the observations of the investor and the mayor of Yerevan, the acting prime minister proposed to continue the work on improving the project and develop a mutually acceptable project. Nikol Pashinyan emphasized that the park should maintain its importance by improving the infrastructure and the environmental condition of the place.
Next, the “Old Khndzoresk” investment program was presented, which plans to invest 32 million dollars and create more than 400 new jobs. The project is aimed at re-evaluating and preserving the historical and cultural values of Old Khndzoresk and Old Goris sites. The businessman noted that the progress of the project is hindered by the presence of illegal structures in the respective areas.
The representatives of relevant departments also provided necessary clarifications regarding the issue. The Acting Prime Minister considered it unacceptable to obstruct the implementation of the investment project due to illegal structures and emphasized that the government will provide an appropriate solution to the problem.
During the consultation, issues related to the construction of a ski complex on Mount Aragats, the establishment of a hotel complex in accordance with international standards in Kapan, the development of tourist structures in the area adjacent to the Satan’s Bridge, the construction of the Czech “Grand Bohemia” multifunctional complex in Yerevan, as well as the implementation of investment projects in the fields of industry and energy were also discussed. possibilities of their solution.
The Acting Prime Minister gave concrete instructions to the officials and emphasized that the issue of improving the investment field, promoting and attracting investments is one of the government’s priorities and the work with all investors will be permanent.