YEREVAN, JUNE 18, NOYAN TAPAN. The June 18 consultation at the municipality of the city of Jermuk with the participation of the president Serge Sargsian was dedicated to discussion of the priorities of complex development of Jermuk in the context of promotion of Armenia's competitiveness and proportional territorial development. In particular, the matter concerned a long-term program on developing sanatorium tourism in Jermuk. The minister of economy Nerses Yeritsian presented the possible approaches to long-term development of the city and the procedures for this purpose. According to him, the government needs to carry out 5-7-year work, after which development of the city is expected to proceed with money of private investors. During a talk with reporters, the minister said that Jermuk has all natural conditions to become a sanatorium tourism center. "If we succeed in integrating into the international network of sanatorium tourism and in familiarizing investors with the city's opportunities, it will be possible to build a business center in this region," he said. 5,000 tourists visit Jermuk annually, whereas in the Soviet time their number made 29,000, and the Armenian authorities intend to restore this index. N. Yeritsian underlined the necessity to reduce the length of road to Yerevan and to bring the local infrastructures into line with environmental requirements. Serge Sargsian took part in the foundation stone laying ceremony of a hotel under construction in Jermuk and visited the first stop of the funicular ropeway being built.

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