GENERAL INFORMATION

Tavush region of the Republic of Armenia is formed in 1996, according to the RA Law “On Administrative Territorial Division”. It covers the regions of Ijevan, Shamshadin, Noyemberyan and Dilijan, in total 63 settlements, 5 of them cities - Ijevan, Noyemberyan, Berd, Dilijan and Ayrum, and 58 villages. The regional center is the city of Ijevan. It is located 137 km from Yerevan.

The region borders with Georgia, in the north and east - with Azerbaijan. From the state border of Armenia the region has a border area with a length of 350 km, 300 km of which are with Azerbaijan. The Aghstev river flows through the center of the district to the north-east. The lowest point is located near the village of Debedavan (380 m), the highest point is Mount Murguz (2993m) of the Miapor mountain range.

The region occupies 9.1% of the territory of Armenia - 270399 ha. A significant part of the population are indigenous Tavush residents; there are also generations of those who moved from Artsakh. For example, in the 17th-19th centuries, there was a significant influx of Armenians from Artsakh to Tavush. Those who relocated either founded new villages or restored the previously abandoned or destroyed Armenian settlements.

The population of the Tavush region is 4.2% of the total population of the republic - 132000 people. 62.3% of the population lives in rural areas. It is one of the most prominent agricultural regions of the country.

Natural lake - Lake Parz Lich, located near Dilijan. In 1970-1980s. water reservoirs were built - Joghaz (45 million cubic meters), Akhum (12 million cubic meters), Tavush (5 million cubic meters), Aygedzor (4 million cubic meters), Khndzorut, Ijevan, Spitak Dzhur and Khashtarak.

51% of the total area of the region is occupied by mixed forests, which are distinguished by a variety of flora and fauna, unique monuments of natural heritage. The Dilijan State Reserve and the Ijevan Forest Park (Dendropark) are created in the Aghstev basin in order to preserve the untouched state of nature, further enrich it and obtain new species in local conditions.

The climatic conditions of the region and especially of the Aghstev Valley (mild climate, clean mountain air rich in oxygen, mineral healing waters, forests, highlands rich in healing herbs) are extremely favorable for the organization of recreation of the population, health restoration and development of international tourism.

The territory of the Tavush region is highly rich in historical and cultural heritage: monastic complexes, fortresses, khachkars, bridges, tombs, memorials, fountains. Goshavank, the Haghartsin and Makaravank complexes, the Tavush fortress, etc. deserve admiration. Also the monasteries of Jukhtak, Matosavank, the Arakelots church, the Church of the Holy Mother  of God in Voskepar, the Sranots bridge, the Moro-Dzoro monastery, the Lastiver desert, Lake Gosh are  well known.

ECONOMY

As a result of the joint work for about 6 years of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia, the International Patriotic Union “Tavush” and the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Armenia, since 2015, the RA Law “ON TAX EXEMPTION OF ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT IN BORDER SETTLEMENTS” is in force, as a result of which 23 settlements of Tavush region (according to the list established by Decree No. 163 of the Government of the Republic of Armenia dated February 21, 2022) are exempt from business tax.

As a result, any investor has the opportunity to organize production without paying taxes in 23 settlements of the Tavush region and export products to the market of the Eurasian Union without customs clearance (the Russian Federation, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic), as well as to export 6400 items of goods to the EU market without customs clearance under the GSP+ program.

In addition to the above, Tavush region has the following communication opportunities:

1. Borders with Georgia,

2. Is the closest region to the territory of Russia,

3. 152.6 km of interstate roads pass through the region,

4. There is Ayrum railway station in the area, the last one on the Yerevan-Tbilisi line,

5. There are two customs points (Bagratashen and Ayrum),

6. A gas pipeline supplied from Russia to Armenia passes through the center of the region.

In Tavush region operate:

One large textile company and several small companies,

Two large water bottling plants and several small manufacturing plants,

One brewery and two small enterprises,

One large natural stone processing plant and several small enterprises,

Woodworking factories,

Dozens of hotels and restaurants,

Other enterprises produce canned food, meat products, wine, cognac, bento powder, drywall, etc.

Available resources:

Springs of mineral waters

In Tavush region there are 3 springs with proven reserves of mineral water, these are the springs of Dilijan, the village of Achajur and the village of Vazashen. The source of Dilijan is being exploited, but the sources of the villages of Achajur and Vazashen are not exploited, there are business-plans that are waiting for their investors.

Natural spring sources

The Tavush region has many natural sources suitable for bottling that do not have approved reserves. In case of investments, with the support of the Territorial Union of Employers of Tavush region, the reserves will be confirmed, documentation and other necessary procedures will be carried out.

Healing waters

Tavush region is also rich in healing waters, full information about which can be obtained at the Scientific Research Institute of Balneology and Physical Medicine.

Pastures

The Tavush region has about 70 000 ha of remote pastures, which have hardly been used since the collapse of the Soviet Union. For animal husbandry, the Regional Union of Employers in Tavush region has developed business plans and investments are needed.

Hydroelectric Power Plants

Dozens of HPPs operate in the Tavush region, there are favorable places and projects for the construction of dozens of HPPs.

Mines

Tavush region is rich in metal and non-metallic deposits. Deposits of metals are not exploited. These are mainly alloys of copper, gold, silver, lead, zinc, iron, manganese, titanium and molybdenum.

Non-metallic deposits include felsic tuff, basalt, limestone, granite, clay, sand, agate, profirite, conglomerate, zeolite and other deposits, some of which are exploited.

Recreation areas

Tavush region has dozens of favorable places for the construction of recreation areas. The terrain and nature are such that the construction of a hotel and a restaurant is guaranteed in terms of business profitability.

Gifts of nature

Tavush region is rich in natural resources, here you can harvest thousands of tons of wild fruits, berries, mushrooms, medicinal herbs and other benefits.