ZAMAN: Nakhchivan Economy Blossoms with the Help of Turkey
Today's Zaman
MUHLIS KAÇAR, ANKARA
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/engsrc/politics22199.html
Published: 14:20:22 - 13/06/2011
The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, which is part of Azerbaijan, has
been a place of significant social and economic developments,
particularly in the last 15 years.
Turkey, which was there for the republic from the beginning, has
played an important role in Nakhchivan's development as the two not
only share a 15-kilometer border but also one ethnicity, religion and
history.
In the early 1990s, the people of Nakhchivan were living under really
difficult conditions. Economic difficulties, the limited availability
of public services, the limited connection to the capital, Baku, in
every aspect of life and the lack of resources (natural gas, power,
other fuels) were only a few of the problems that people were
experiencing.
According to Nakhchivan embassy spokesman Elsever Salmanov, aid
provided by Turkey to Nakhchivan under those difficult circumstances
was essential. `This aid will never be forgotten by the people of
Azerbaijan,' he stated.
Vasif Talibov, who was appointed by the late leader of Azerbaijan,
Heydar Aliyev, as his successor for the Nakhchivan Autonomous
Republic, serves as the current parliamentary chairman of the
republic.
Thanks to prudent state management policies and the resulting rapid
economic growth, Nakhchivan City, the capital of Nakhchivan Autonomous
Republic, has changed tremendously in the last 15 years. In
macroeconomic figures, while the world was struggling with the adverse
effects of the economic crisis, in 2009 the gross domestic product
(GDP) of Nakhchivan grew by 21 percent in comparison to the previous
year, while in 2010 the GDP increased by 17 percent compared with
2009. Per capita income increased from $2,600 in 2008 to $3,082 in
2009 and $3,592 in 2010.
The policymakers' motto of `eliminating obstacles to entrepreneurship'
has borne fruit. The republic took important steps regarding financial
assistance and facilities for entrepreneurship; moreover, the
necessary reforms and innovations in the legal infrastructure were
carefully undertaken for the purpose of supporting private
entrepreneurship.
Institutions that provide financial and consulting services to
entrepreneurs were established. As a result, the GDP of Nakhchivan
increased 17-fold for the period 1995-2010, and the number of
industrial establishments reached 365 in the same period. This figure
is 12 times larger than the number of industrial facilities
established in 1924-1991.
Nakhchivan also introduced successful privatization processes with two
successful state programs. The attractive investment fields include --
but are not limited to -- textiles, cement, glass and herbal medicine
factories, as well as the construction of hydro power plants and wind
farms.
Nakhchivan has also been successful in the areas of education and
energy infrastructure. According to data provided by officials, 111
new schools were constructed and 57 schools were repaired in recent
years. Experts state that currently every house in the republic has a
natural gas connection, while electricity theft is at zero percent.
The republic, which experienced harsh conditions 15 years ago, meets
its electric requirements with its power plants and sells excess power
to Turkey.
Nakhchivan's industry doesn't just meet local requirements in areas
such as automobile production, but it is set to become an export
economy.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Today's Zaman
MUHLIS KAÇAR, ANKARA
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/engsrc/politics22199.html
Published: 14:20:22 - 13/06/2011
The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, which is part of Azerbaijan, has
been a place of significant social and economic developments,
particularly in the last 15 years.
Turkey, which was there for the republic from the beginning, has
played an important role in Nakhchivan's development as the two not
only share a 15-kilometer border but also one ethnicity, religion and
history.
In the early 1990s, the people of Nakhchivan were living under really
difficult conditions. Economic difficulties, the limited availability
of public services, the limited connection to the capital, Baku, in
every aspect of life and the lack of resources (natural gas, power,
other fuels) were only a few of the problems that people were
experiencing.
According to Nakhchivan embassy spokesman Elsever Salmanov, aid
provided by Turkey to Nakhchivan under those difficult circumstances
was essential. `This aid will never be forgotten by the people of
Azerbaijan,' he stated.
Vasif Talibov, who was appointed by the late leader of Azerbaijan,
Heydar Aliyev, as his successor for the Nakhchivan Autonomous
Republic, serves as the current parliamentary chairman of the
republic.
Thanks to prudent state management policies and the resulting rapid
economic growth, Nakhchivan City, the capital of Nakhchivan Autonomous
Republic, has changed tremendously in the last 15 years. In
macroeconomic figures, while the world was struggling with the adverse
effects of the economic crisis, in 2009 the gross domestic product
(GDP) of Nakhchivan grew by 21 percent in comparison to the previous
year, while in 2010 the GDP increased by 17 percent compared with
2009. Per capita income increased from $2,600 in 2008 to $3,082 in
2009 and $3,592 in 2010.
The policymakers' motto of `eliminating obstacles to entrepreneurship'
has borne fruit. The republic took important steps regarding financial
assistance and facilities for entrepreneurship; moreover, the
necessary reforms and innovations in the legal infrastructure were
carefully undertaken for the purpose of supporting private
entrepreneurship.
Institutions that provide financial and consulting services to
entrepreneurs were established. As a result, the GDP of Nakhchivan
increased 17-fold for the period 1995-2010, and the number of
industrial establishments reached 365 in the same period. This figure
is 12 times larger than the number of industrial facilities
established in 1924-1991.
Nakhchivan also introduced successful privatization processes with two
successful state programs. The attractive investment fields include --
but are not limited to -- textiles, cement, glass and herbal medicine
factories, as well as the construction of hydro power plants and wind
farms.
Nakhchivan has also been successful in the areas of education and
energy infrastructure. According to data provided by officials, 111
new schools were constructed and 57 schools were repaired in recent
years. Experts state that currently every house in the republic has a
natural gas connection, while electricity theft is at zero percent.
The republic, which experienced harsh conditions 15 years ago, meets
its electric requirements with its power plants and sells excess power
to Turkey.
Nakhchivan's industry doesn't just meet local requirements in areas
such as automobile production, but it is set to become an export
economy.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress