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Minister Of Agriculture - Artsakh
Thu, Jul 24th, 2014
http://www.european-times.com/sector/minister-agriculture-artsakh/
Agriculture Key Driver Of National Economy
Andranik Khachatryan, Minister of Agriculture
Andranik Khachatryan, Minister of Agriculture, discusses Nagorno
Karabakh's exceptional agricultural potential. He also outlines
outstanding opportunities for foreign investors.
European Times: How important is agriculture to Nagorno Karabakh
Republic's economy?
Andranik Khachatryan: Nagorno Karabakh has always been an agricultural
country. Agriculture has accounted for 11% of the country's GDP on
average for the past five years and the sector has been growing by
around 9% to 10% per year. In addition, most of our labour force is
involved in agriculture. Since 2007 the government of Nagorno Karabakh
has made major investments in the agriculture sector. We have
distributed agricultural machinery to farms, imported better seeds,
provided fertilisers to farmers, and offered financing for
agricultural projects. We have also imported cattle from Germany for
breeding purposes and we have established many international
partnerships, including with John Deere and several German firms. We
are trying to implement international know-how and technologies in the
agriculture sector and to train specialists, for example in livestock
breeding. Our long-term goal is to make Nagorno Karabakh
self-sufficient in food production.
European Times: What are some of the challenges the agriculture sector faces?
Andranik Khachatryan: Our agriculture sector was completely destroyed
by war, so we have had to restore it. In addition, we need more
specialists in agriculture and we have been sending our people to the
Netherlands, Israel and other countries to learn and bring back
knowledge and experience to the sector. We are also inviting
international specialists in cattle breeding to come here to share
their experience. We need to train our farmers to cope more
effectively with climate change and adverse weather conditions.
European Times: Why should international investors target Nagorno
Karabakh's agriculture sector?
Andranik Khachatryan: Agricultural projects in Nagorno Karabakh are
tax-exempt, from production through packaged foodstuffs, and there are
many investment opportunities available, especially in food
processing. We award subsidies in this sector, which is another draw
for international investors.
European Times: International investors are concerned about the safety
of their investments. How safe is Nagorno Karabakh as an investment
destination?
Andranik Khachatryan: Anyone who visits Nagorno Karabakh will see that
it is very safe and that its people are very friendly. Our government
has taken all possible measures to make sure that the country is safe
and secure. For example, the Halo Trust International organisation
ensures that our fields are safe to work in. All international
investors in agriculture are welcome in Nagorno Karabakh and they will
find exceptional potential here.
From: A. Papazian
Thu, Jul 24th, 2014
http://www.european-times.com/sector/minister-agriculture-artsakh/
Agriculture Key Driver Of National Economy
Andranik Khachatryan, Minister of Agriculture
Andranik Khachatryan, Minister of Agriculture, discusses Nagorno
Karabakh's exceptional agricultural potential. He also outlines
outstanding opportunities for foreign investors.
European Times: How important is agriculture to Nagorno Karabakh
Republic's economy?
Andranik Khachatryan: Nagorno Karabakh has always been an agricultural
country. Agriculture has accounted for 11% of the country's GDP on
average for the past five years and the sector has been growing by
around 9% to 10% per year. In addition, most of our labour force is
involved in agriculture. Since 2007 the government of Nagorno Karabakh
has made major investments in the agriculture sector. We have
distributed agricultural machinery to farms, imported better seeds,
provided fertilisers to farmers, and offered financing for
agricultural projects. We have also imported cattle from Germany for
breeding purposes and we have established many international
partnerships, including with John Deere and several German firms. We
are trying to implement international know-how and technologies in the
agriculture sector and to train specialists, for example in livestock
breeding. Our long-term goal is to make Nagorno Karabakh
self-sufficient in food production.
European Times: What are some of the challenges the agriculture sector faces?
Andranik Khachatryan: Our agriculture sector was completely destroyed
by war, so we have had to restore it. In addition, we need more
specialists in agriculture and we have been sending our people to the
Netherlands, Israel and other countries to learn and bring back
knowledge and experience to the sector. We are also inviting
international specialists in cattle breeding to come here to share
their experience. We need to train our farmers to cope more
effectively with climate change and adverse weather conditions.
European Times: Why should international investors target Nagorno
Karabakh's agriculture sector?
Andranik Khachatryan: Agricultural projects in Nagorno Karabakh are
tax-exempt, from production through packaged foodstuffs, and there are
many investment opportunities available, especially in food
processing. We award subsidies in this sector, which is another draw
for international investors.
European Times: International investors are concerned about the safety
of their investments. How safe is Nagorno Karabakh as an investment
destination?
Andranik Khachatryan: Anyone who visits Nagorno Karabakh will see that
it is very safe and that its people are very friendly. Our government
has taken all possible measures to make sure that the country is safe
and secure. For example, the Halo Trust International organisation
ensures that our fields are safe to work in. All international
investors in agriculture are welcome in Nagorno Karabakh and they will
find exceptional potential here.
From: A. Papazian