Minister: Armenian government will render necessary assistance to  winemakers of the republic

ArmInfo.The Armenian government will provide the necessary assistance to the winemakers of the republic. The Minister of Economy of the Republic of Armenia  Tigran Khachatryan stated this at a meeting with winemakers of the  country.

According to the press service of the Ministry of Economy of the  Republic of Armenia, during the meeting the Minister emphasized that  the assistance will be in the form of additional loans for storing  wine material and acquiring the necessary equipment. At the same  time, he noted the importance of a balanced decision based on mutual  concessions. Tigran Khachatryan recalled that the government has  amended the program for subsidizing interest rates on loans granted  to the processing industry in order to procure agricultural raw  materials. These loans by the end of the year will be available at a  zero interest rate.

The Minister also discussed with winemakers issues related to the  harvesting of grapes, whose harvest is projected to be rich. In this  context, the minister said that the government is discussing options  that will help farmers fully realize the harvest, and the business to  develop profitable activities.

Earlier, Arminfo, citing data from the Statistical Committee of the  Republic of Armenia, reported that in the first quarter of 2020, the  alcohol industry of Armenia reduced production volumes for all types  of products. In particular, during the reporting period, the country  produced 7.8 million liters of brandy, which is 6.3% less than the  indicator a year ago (instead of growth by 31.2% for the same period  a year earlier).  The volume of wine produced in Armenia decreased by  17.4% (instead of growth by 3.4%), amounting to 1.9 million liters,  champagne - by 5.9% (against growth by 9.9%) to 104.3 thousand  liters. Vodka production also decreased - by 13.9% to 732.3 thousand  liters, and beer - by 12% to 3.3 million liters (a year earlier, an  increase of 7.1% and 26% was recorded, respectively). During the  reporting period, 83.3 thousand liters of whiskey were produced in  Armenia, which is 38.3% less than a year ago. Last year, whiskey  production decreased by 15.4%.