Artsakh President Araik Harutyunyan Visits Martakert Region on Working Tour

On September 12, Artsakh Republic President Araik Harutyunyan paid a working visit to the Martakert region. This was reported by the Presidential Administration of Artsakh.

The head of state first held a consultation with the participation of regional officials, discussing the progress of educational, construction, and agricultural programs, expressing interest in existing issues, and issuing several directives regarding their resolution. “As I have already announced, starting from January 1, 2022, we plan to increase social payments and the salaries of public sector employees by an average of 20 percent. However, I must emphasize that we are discussing the possibility of increasing teachers' salaries more than announced,” said the president.

Regarding housing issues, Araik Harutyunyan emphasized that new multi-apartment buildings would be constructed in Martakert city, and the increase in the population of the region occupies an important place in the government's foreseeable programs.

“As for the development of infrastructure, the road paving works connecting rural communities of the region to the highways will mainly be completed over the next year. In the coming three years, the improvement and asphalting of the intra-community streets of Martakert city will be completed,” noted Harutyunyan.

The president stated that significant funds would be allocated for the restoration and construction of irrigation networks. In this context, the development of horticulture, particularly the establishment of vineyards and pomegranate orchards, will be a focus, as they hold promise for Artsakh's processing industry. “A large dairy farm will also be constructed in the region, which will boost livestock farming and the cultivation of fodder crops,” the president informed, adding that the economic policies implemented in Martakert through state programs would not be limited to just this.

Following that, the President visited fields and vineyards in the vicinity of Martakert, monitored the grape harvest, and inquired about yield indicators.

The president also visited the site of a new mining industrial plant being established in Artsakh and became acquainted with the ongoing works. This is the first major private investment program to initiate in Artsakh post-war, valued at several million US dollars. According to officials, extraction and processing operations will begin in three months, which will provide around 400 jobs.

During the visit, Araik Harutyunyan also participated in the Divine Liturgy dedicated to the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross at the Church of St. John the Baptist in Martakert.