ArmInfo. “Araratcement,” having come under state management, is operating at full capacity. Armenia’s Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan reported this on his Facebook page.
In particular, he said that production in August amounted to 95.3 thousand tons of cement, approximately 16 thousand tons more than the July figure and more than 26 thousand tons above the June figure.
The minister also considered it necessary to explain that the shortage in the cement market is due to disruptions in supplies from neighboring countries.
“By the way, ‘Araratcement’ exists and continues to operate as a plant today solely thanks to decisions by the government and the National Assembly, under which we introduced duties on imported cement back in 2019. Therefore, if we had not made this strategic decision several years ago, there would be no cement at all on our market today,” Papoyan emphasized.
It should be recalled that, by a decision of the Anti-Corruption Court, the “Araratcement” enterprise, owned by philanthropist, businessman and leader of the Prosperous Armenia Party Gagik Tsarukyan, was transferred to the management of the Republic of Armenia, represented by the RA Ministry of Economy. On July 6, law enforcement officers conducted searches at the home of Prosperous Armenia Party leader Gagik Tsarukyan, as well as at more than 70 addresses, including companies comprising the Multi Group concern.
After the investigative actions were completed, Tsarukyan was detained and taken to the Investigative Committee of Armenia. He was charged with alleged fraud and legalization of funds on an especially large scale. On the same day, a court decision placed Tsarukyan under arrest for two months. Tsarukyan himself rejects the charges, stating that what is happening is politically motivated pressure from the ruling authorities.
Following the investigative actions conducted by law enforcement agencies at the enterprises, the latter were sealed, including “Araratcement.”
From July 6 to 10, plant employees held protests demanding that the enterprise resume operations. On July 10, Deputy Minister of Economy Edgar Zakaryan arrived at the enterprise. After talks with the company’s management, he told journalists that the plant would resume operations the following day and that the Ministry of Economy was ready to assist in resolving possible problems arising during production activities.
