Grand Holding to expand activitiesFebruary 17, 2009 - 18:44 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Not all governments and spheres are subject to direct influence of world economic crisis. This fact is proved by Grand Holding activities, the company's President Hrant Vardanyan told a news conference today.Speaking about the Masis Tabak company strategy, Hrant Vardanyan said that a new American technology is implemented to automate tobacco drying process. "Besides 72 compartments, 36 more were imported this year which will promote significant production growth," he said. "New generation tobacco manufacturing equipment, which will be competitive in the international market for 30 years, was purchased to the amount of $1 million." "A printing department, with 30 percent working capacity is opened in confectioneries; other construction works will be finished this year. As for waste paper, a new conveyer line is installed to provide napkin and paper production in Armenia," Mr. Vardanyan said. Among programs planned, he specified waste paper recycling, construction of a dwelling house in Shengavit community, a sports club and a church in Masis. Also, a natural juice and vodka production will be set up. Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | Armenia recalls Belarus envoy for consultations Armenian Ambassador to Belarus has been called to Yerevan for consultations, a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry reveals. Armenia denies Azerbaijan's ceasefire accusations The Armenian Defense Ministry has denied Azerbaijan's accusations of violating the ceasefire. Armenia will leave Russian-led military bloc, says Pashinyan Armenia will leave the Russian-led Collective Security Organization, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said, without giving any dates. EU encourages Armenia to prioritize strategic projects The EU has encouraged Armenia to prioritize strategic projects, according to a statement from the country’s Foreign Ministry. |