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GETTING TATEV DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS BACK ON TRACK
Yeranuhi Soghoyan
hetq
18:26, October 17, 2012
I met three year-old Hayk at a festival on the road to the Tatev
Monastery in Armenia.
The boys was decked out in handmade colourful wool socks, red britches,
leather slippers and a pointy cap worn in olden days.
I asked Hayk what he wanted to be when he grew up. Waving his small
wooden sword in the air, the boy answered he would smite Bel, Armenia's
archenemy of yore. He then pondered the question a little more and
answered, "I will become a good boy."
The fact that a bunch of his elders were lined up along the road
didn't faze Hayk in the least. His main mission was to swipe as many
sweets and walnuts from the cup sitting on the table as possible. The
older folk could discuss and debate issues like planting trees and
talk about the much awaited multi-functional centre planned to be
built in Tatev next year to their hearts content.
Two years ago, when the Tatev aerial tram was opened, there was talk
about ancillary development projects planned for the village of Tatev.
One of the projects involved getting local residents to turn their
homes into bed and breakfast establishments for the tourists attracted
to Tatev by the aerial tramway.
Even before that, Armenia's National Competitiveness Foundation
(ANCF) had come up with an idea of creating a circulating fund for
Tatev residents willing and able to transform their homes into B&B's.
The project was launched but it never really took off. A year ago,
there were staff changes at the ANCF and Arman Khachatryan replaced
Bekor Papazyan as director.
Khachatryan avoided commenting on other failed development projects
at Tatev in the past.
In March of this year, the ANCF and the U.N. Armenia Office signed a
memo of understanding regarding the development of the local community
and tourist infrastructure. A three year plan has been designed for
2012-2015 with the assistance of the ANCF and participation of local
residents.
The multi-functional center will house an information unit, an office
and stalls selling local handicrafts and produce. The initial cost
estimate for the project is around $155,000.
There are also plans in 2013-2014 to renovate a 5.5 kilometre stretch
of water pipe> the job is expected to cost $237,500. The following
year a garbage collection and sanitary system will be installed. That
will cost around $82,500. The same year a sewage system costing some
$665,000 will be built.
The bed and breakfast project, allowing for 10 private houses to
be turned into tourist lodging, will start this year at a cost
of $179,500. Families wishing to participate will have to present
competitive bids.
30% of the investment will be supplied by the individual families
and the rest by the ANCF.
Aram Khachatryan says it's vital that local families participate
directly in the project and invest their resources, thus ensuring
greater overall success.
Tatev Mayor Mourad Simonyan believes the project will help spur
village development.
"I believe that many who have left Tatev will want to return after
the projects are completed," Simonyan said.
Hripsimeh Manoukyan, an economist in the U.N. Development Program,
said the long-term goal was to get money into the pockets of local
residents. This way they'd have seed money to launch other local
projects.
Yeranuhi Soghoyan
hetq
18:26, October 17, 2012
I met three year-old Hayk at a festival on the road to the Tatev
Monastery in Armenia.
The boys was decked out in handmade colourful wool socks, red britches,
leather slippers and a pointy cap worn in olden days.
I asked Hayk what he wanted to be when he grew up. Waving his small
wooden sword in the air, the boy answered he would smite Bel, Armenia's
archenemy of yore. He then pondered the question a little more and
answered, "I will become a good boy."
The fact that a bunch of his elders were lined up along the road
didn't faze Hayk in the least. His main mission was to swipe as many
sweets and walnuts from the cup sitting on the table as possible. The
older folk could discuss and debate issues like planting trees and
talk about the much awaited multi-functional centre planned to be
built in Tatev next year to their hearts content.
Two years ago, when the Tatev aerial tram was opened, there was talk
about ancillary development projects planned for the village of Tatev.
One of the projects involved getting local residents to turn their
homes into bed and breakfast establishments for the tourists attracted
to Tatev by the aerial tramway.
Even before that, Armenia's National Competitiveness Foundation
(ANCF) had come up with an idea of creating a circulating fund for
Tatev residents willing and able to transform their homes into B&B's.
The project was launched but it never really took off. A year ago,
there were staff changes at the ANCF and Arman Khachatryan replaced
Bekor Papazyan as director.
Khachatryan avoided commenting on other failed development projects
at Tatev in the past.
In March of this year, the ANCF and the U.N. Armenia Office signed a
memo of understanding regarding the development of the local community
and tourist infrastructure. A three year plan has been designed for
2012-2015 with the assistance of the ANCF and participation of local
residents.
The multi-functional center will house an information unit, an office
and stalls selling local handicrafts and produce. The initial cost
estimate for the project is around $155,000.
There are also plans in 2013-2014 to renovate a 5.5 kilometre stretch
of water pipe> the job is expected to cost $237,500. The following
year a garbage collection and sanitary system will be installed. That
will cost around $82,500. The same year a sewage system costing some
$665,000 will be built.
The bed and breakfast project, allowing for 10 private houses to
be turned into tourist lodging, will start this year at a cost
of $179,500. Families wishing to participate will have to present
competitive bids.
30% of the investment will be supplied by the individual families
and the rest by the ANCF.
Aram Khachatryan says it's vital that local families participate
directly in the project and invest their resources, thus ensuring
greater overall success.
Tatev Mayor Mourad Simonyan believes the project will help spur
village development.
"I believe that many who have left Tatev will want to return after
the projects are completed," Simonyan said.
Hripsimeh Manoukyan, an economist in the U.N. Development Program,
said the long-term goal was to get money into the pockets of local
residents. This way they'd have seed money to launch other local
projects.