AraratCement Plant to Resume Full Operations on July 10

YEREVAN — The AraratCement plant will resume full operations on July 10, Deputy Economy Minister Edgar Zakaryan told reporters during a briefing near the facility.

“We were discussing technical matters and determining how to prevent the plant from shutting down and ensure that it continues operating. Law-enforcement authorities will address the legal proceedings. The plant most likely did not suffer significant losses as a result of the shutdown because we intervened in time,” Zakaryan said.

AraratCement employees gathered outside the plant earlier in the day to hold a protest. The workers, who had been placed on involuntary leave for four days, said they wanted clarity about the situation surrounding the plant and their future employment.

The plant was recently sealed by law-enforcement authorities as part of a criminal investigation involving Prosperous Armenia Party leader Gagik Tsarukyan, causing operations to be suspended.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has announced that a process to bring AraratCement under state ownership will be initiated.

During a press briefing on July 9, Pashinyan said the appointment of a manager for the company would be carried out in accordance with established procedures.

“AraratCement will soon become state-owned, and a director will be appointed through the prescribed procedure,” Pashinyan said.

The prime minister also appealed to the company’s employees, urging them not to yield to pressure.

“I ask the employees not to become involved in such processes. Those who pressure people and attempt to push them toward certain actions will be dismissed from their jobs,” Pashinyan said.