Friday, 22 June 2012
National Assembly-Approved Government Program To Be Realized
A Cabinet sitting was held today, chaired by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan.
Before approving the agenda, the Prime Minister addressed the meeting: “On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, I wish to thank our colleagues from the National Assembly for the last two days’ debate over the government program. We had quite an interesting discussion, and our program was approved by the National Assembly. I would like to thank you favorable consideration of our program which implies greater responsibility for us, and we must do everything to give effect to the program. I would also like to congratulate all Cabinet members on this occasion. The program will be implemented from today on.”
The Government decided to extend until June 1, 2015 the deadline set for VAT payments by ASTRA Kristals Ltd for goods imported under its investment program between June 1, 2012 and February 1, 2014.
The company was founded in 2011 and plans to produce and process industrial crystals, as well as launch local production of rough sapphire..
With Russian and Chinese technologies, the new modern factory will produce about 2 tons of crystal and 3 tons of pure raw materials monthly, the end products will go to the LED market. About AMD 4.2bn will be spent to buy equipment with at least 20 high-quality jobs created with some 180 thousand dram monthly average salary. The output will be realized in China, Russia and European Union markets.
“We have already been to this factory. Modern equipment is being imported from Italy. The first production line is operational, and the crystal growing process is on. We are going to have a large volume of exports due to the launch of this enterprise. Thus, this year’s most important industrial achievement will be to assist the plant,” the head of government noted.
The Government approved Goravani Avazutner State reserve’s restoration program for 2013-2015. The reserve which is located in Ararat marz was formed in 1958 to provide for the protection of Jouzgoun’s unique of its kind natural ecosystem in South Caucasus. With another decision, the government amended a previous decree to extend untill November, 2012 the deadline set for establishment of Lake Arpi National Park, as funded by the Federal Republic of Germany.
According to Tigran Sargsyan, nature protection is among our most important problems. “State programs should be open to the public at large,” Tigran Sargsyan stressed and told the Minister of Nature Protection to use media to raise public awareness of reserve development programs.
The Cabinet decided to appoint Edgar Ghazaryan governor of Vayots-Dzor Marz. On behalf of the government, the Prime Minister congratulated and wished him productive work.
In connection with the Day of Constitution, the meeting decided that the working Friday of July 3, 2012 shall be substituted with the Saturday of July 14, 2012.
