YEREVAN, MARCH 18, ARMENPRESS. Armenia’s Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan paid a working visit to Gegharkunik province, press service of the Government told “Armenpress”.

Firstly, the PM visited the newly constructed medical center in the city of Sevan and got acquainted with the process of the works. It was reported that the construction works of the center launched in August, 2016 and they are expected to be completed in summer, 2018. PM Karapetyan set a task to do everything to complete the construction works by the end of this year. 2 million 716 thousand AMD is invested for the implementation of the program by the co-finance of the Government and the World Bank. The medical center with latest equipment will serve over 40.000 citizens of the region.

Thereafter, the PM visited “Ecomilk” cheese factory in Akunk where he was introduced on the production process and the future plans. It was stated that many types of cheese are being produced at the factory, major part of which is being realized in the local market, and 25% of the production is exported to Russia. The factory has 40 workers and is filled with innovative equipment, new investments are expected to be made aimed at expanding and increasing the production capacities. The PM welcomed the initiative and said the Government is discussing the investment program on expanding the factory.

The PM also got acquainted with the activity of “Akvatik” LLC which exports alive and cooked frozen crayfish and produces canned food. Since 1996 the company exports crayfish to the Eurasian Economic Union and the European countries. The factory was build in accordance with the European standards and works with HACCP program. The factory mainly produces canned food for the Defense Ministry.

Karen Karapetyan also visited the newly constructed buckwheat processing factory in Tsovagyugh community. The heads of the factory said the demand of buckwheat in the Republic reaches 7 thousand hectares of production. It is expected to significantly increase cultivation areas and production volumes in the upcoming years by cooperating with the Agriculture Ministry. The factory received buckwheat processing machinery within the framework of the EU’s ENPARD program.

The PM’s last visit was in Chambarak community where he got acquainted with the activity and service quality of the local medical center. The center was reconstructed, equipped with property and innovative equipment in 2015 by the Healthcare Ministry and the Territorial Development Fund of Armenia within the framework of loan programs financed by the Government and the World Bank. The center serves 11-12.000 people. PM Karapetyan attached importance to the existence of modern medical centers in the provinces and the continuous development and expansion of services provided.