Armenian Prime Minister: "All projects will be given due consideration by the Government"

ArmInfo. Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan paid a working visit to Ararat Marz on March 22.The press office of the Armenian Government reports that Karen Karapetyan first called at International Masis Tabak, where he was introduced to the company's manufacturing activities, tobacco processing process, the production of cigarette packs and labels.

The company employs 580 people with an average salary of 140 thousand drams. 8.5 thousand tons of tobacco raw materials were harvested from 705 hectares of cultivated land in Armenia and Artsakh throughout 2016 resulting in 10% rise in output, which is being exported to more than 20 countries, including the CIS, the Middle East and Europe.  Exports grew by 30% and 40 times over the past 6 years.

The source says that Karen Karapetyan also visited Golden Ax joint Armenian-Iranian slaughterhouse in Masis town, which was commissioned in 2015. The construction of the slaughterhouse called for over USD 3 million in overall investment. The slaughterhouse has 1 production line, which runs from 1 turns, though it has the capacity of working in 3 shifts. It was reported that 100 people are currently working at the slaughterhouse. 650 lamb and sheep are slaughtered in a shift, which makes 10-11 tons of animal carcasses. Offal and other wastes are processed subsequently. The fur is delivered to an Italian company in Masis and exported to Italy after processing.

The slaughterhouse has a meat packing plant, where carcasses are being cooled and frozen.  Currently, chilled carcasses are exported to Iran, but there is a demand in the United Arab Emirates.  Therefore, the number of employees is due to reach 250 in the near future.

Highlighting the importance of modern slaughterhouses in Armenia in terms of livestock development and food security, the Head of Government advised that a development program has been submitted to the Government.

The Prime Minister next met with the executives of farm produce processing companies to review purveyance and procurements, as well as issues related to corporate programs and objectives. The Premier urged them to prepare development plans and submit to the Government measurable and specific proposals related to new programs. "Business people are our number one partners as they create new jobs, added value and our objective is to be quick- responsive to their needs and give appropriate solutions," Karen Karapetyan said, adding that all the projects will be given due consideration by the Government.