Sevan National Park’s territory to be awarded special tax zone status
23.03.2017,
15:44
Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan gave today two months to several government agencies to prepare and submit to the government a draft strategy for the development of the Gegharkunik region in 2017-2020, saying the emphasis should be placed on the economic component and the exceptional and ecological role of Lake Sevan.
YEREVAN, March 23. /ARKA/. Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan gave today two months to several government agencies to prepare and submit to the government a draft strategy for the development of the Gegharkunik region in 2017-2020, saying the emphasis should be placed on the economic component and the exceptional and ecological role of Lake Sevan.
Speaking at a regular Cabinet session the prime minister said also the territory of the Sevan National Park will be awarded the status of special economic zone. He said the Lake Sevan and the adjacent territory have not only important environmental and social significance, but also a serious economic potential, especially in the context of tourism development. He said the strategy must include flexible mechanisms for property tax and taxation in general.
The prime minister told the relevant agencies to submit proposals for enhancing tourism in the National Park, as well as to develop a specific plan of actions for the restoration and commercial use of fish resources of the lake.
Karapetyan said also the governor of Gegharkunik region will have to provide information on the zones suitable for the implementation of investment projects.
"We will take stock of all the assets of Lake Sevan. There are numerous assets that do not work, we will create a special tax zone where will enforce progressive taxation to encourage people wishing to carry out practical activities there," Karapetyan said.
Lake Sevan is the main source of drinking water in the region, one of the largest high-mountain lakes in Europe and Asia, located in the heart of the Armenian upland at an altitude of 1914 meters. It stretches for 70 km in length from the north-west to the south-east. The area of its water mirror is almost 1,500 square kilometers.
Only one river- Hrazdan-originates from the lake and 28 rivers flow into it. By 2030 the level of the lake will be raised to the optimal 1903.5 m above sea-level.-0-
Speaking at a regular Cabinet session the prime minister said also the territory of the Sevan National Park will be awarded the status of special economic zone. He said the Lake Sevan and the adjacent territory have not only important environmental and social significance, but also a serious economic potential, especially in the context of tourism development. He said the strategy must include flexible mechanisms for property tax and taxation in general.
The prime minister told the relevant agencies to submit proposals for enhancing tourism in the National Park, as well as to develop a specific plan of actions for the restoration and commercial use of fish resources of the lake.
Karapetyan said also the governor of Gegharkunik region will have to provide information on the zones suitable for the implementation of investment projects.
"We will take stock of all the assets of Lake Sevan. There are numerous assets that do not work, we will create a special tax zone where will enforce progressive taxation to encourage people wishing to carry out practical activities there," Karapetyan said.
Lake Sevan is the main source of drinking water in the region, one of the largest high-mountain lakes in Europe and Asia, located in the heart of the Armenian upland at an altitude of 1914 meters. It stretches for 70 km in length from the north-west to the south-east. The area of its water mirror is almost 1,500 square kilometers.
Only one river- Hrazdan-originates from the lake and 28 rivers flow into it. By 2030 the level of the lake will be raised to the optimal 1903.5 m above sea-level.-0-
