YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Mayor of Gyumri Samvel Balasanyan says active cooperation is necessary with investors for the development of the city.

“Armenpress” talked with Samvel Balasanyan over the upcoming programs, further prospective directions for investments and other issues.

-Mr. Balasanyan, recently Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan was in Gyumri on a working visit. It was emphasized that the Government is interested in attracting investments for Gyumri. What are the areas of investment in Gyumri, which sectors are more prospective?

-The Prime Minister put forward a serious program for the reconstruction of the historical city. This is the first pilot project carried out with the Government which aims to reconstruct Gyumri’s 2 streets, Rustaveli and Shiraz. A special fund will be established for the implementation of the program where large amount of money will be invested. The PM visited Gyumri in early February, a number of businessmen, who are interested in the investment program, accompanied him. The presentation of the draft development program of Kumairi historical center was held with the PM’s participantion in Gyumri Technological Center. The draft was prepared by the Central Bank and the Gyumri Project Hope. During the presentation the results of the works carried out, as well as the upcoming steps were presented. The first steps over Gyumri development program are already done, and we all must make efforts for the further development.

-During the PM’s visit, the current situation of the historical buildings, their maintenance and restoration were discussed. What steps are expected to be taken on this path? Is there a complete record of theses historical buildings? How can they be used for tourism purposes?

-Of course, there is. The Gyumri Project Hope has carried out a general record, research in Gyumri and this project, as I said, was presented during the PM’s visit. Active cooperation must be done with investors for Gyumri’s development.

-There are many talks on tourism development in Gyumri in connection with the relaunch of “Shirak” airport. What are the expectations in terms of attracting tourists?

-“Pobeda” airlines started to carry out flights from Gyumri’s “Shirak” airport on December, 2016, and today as well it carries out flights 3 times a week. It is expected to make 10 million USD investment in the “Shirak” airport.

-There is a need to develop nearby infrastructures due to the launch of the airport. What programs does the Gyumri Municipality plan to implement?

-The Municipality is cooperating with various structures and investors aimed at developing tourism in Gyumri. A businessman from Gyumri Karen Gomtsyan initiated and will implement the restoration of Gyumri market. Large amount of money will be invested for the market restoration. Another attractive place for tourists is Gyumri’s old theater building. It is expected to reconstruct the building, improve the park.

-What steps are there in terms of improving the cultural centers, as well as the roads?

-Gyumri Municipality within its capabilities will continue renovating the streets, the city lighting and etc. The grant-loan program worth 23.8 million Euro provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development will launch in 2017 within the framework of which street construction, large-scale works on the city lighting will be conducted which is a great achievement for Gyumri.

Interview by Syuzi Muradyan