Economy of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic

Economy of Nagorno Karabakh Republic
Currency 1 Dram = 100 louma
Calendar year
Statistics
GDP $411.7 million (2013 est.) [1]
GDP growth
 10.3% (2013 est.)
GDP per capita
 $2,780 (2013 est.)
GDP by sector
 services (57%),
manufacturing industry (15%),
construction (9%),
agriculture (16%) (2007 est.)
Labour force
 64,987 total (2013),
62,420 employed,
2,567 unemployed (2013 est)
Unemployment 4.0% (2013 est.)
Main industries
 tourism, agriculture, animal husbandry, gold mining, copper mining, electricity production, construction, road construction, diamond-processing, telecommunications, knitted wear, distillery, banking
External
Exports $160,000 (2007)
Export goods
 Foodstuffs, tourism, watchmaker, alcohol
Main export partners
 Armenia
Imports $122,000 (2008)
Main import partners
 Armenia
Public finances
Expenses $114 million (2007)
Economic aid $38 million (2009)

All values, unless otherwise stated, are in US dollars.

The economy of Nagorno-Karabakh is small, but rapidly growing. The war torn economy of Karabakh shows a relatively quick and confident recovery. In 1999, the GDP figure was $59 million, 80 percent down on the figure in Soviet times.[2] Yet, its GDP reached $114 million in 2005, double the figure in 2001, registering economic growth of 14% (in current prices) in 2005,[3] and in 2009 it registered a GDP of $260 million, which increased to $320 million by 2010. Nagorno-Karabakh's GDP (PPP) for 2010 is estimated at $1.6 billion.

According to official estimates of the Nagorno-Karabakh Statistical Service,[4] the GDP in current (market) prices increased by 116% between 2001 and 2007. The Consumer Price Index increased only by 34% during this period, which implies a real growth of about 60% in GDP during the six years 2001-2007. In 2007, agriculture accounted for 16% of GDP, manufacturing industries 15%, construction 9%, and the service sector 57%. The share of agriculture in GDP went down from 33% in 2002 to 16% in 2007, while the share of manufacturing and services increased correspondingly.

The most investments are in telecoms, gold mining, diamond polishing, jewelry and agriculture. In the Soviet Union, Nagorno-Karabakh was the largest per capita producer of grapes.

Nagorno-Karabakh is known for its mulberry vodka (Armenian: tuti oghi). It is commercially produced and exported under the brand name Artsakh by the Artsakh-Alco Brandy Company in Askeran District.[5][6]

Energy

Up until recently Nagorno-Karabakh Republic was known to operate at least one hydroelectric power plant near Mardakert, which was constructed during the Soviet times. The government has been planning to build a number of small hydroelectric power plants — at a cost of $70–$80 million — that will supply both domestic needs and provide opportunities for export. In 2001 the republic imported 60 percent of its electricity from Armenia.[2]

On 12 April 2010 the prime ministers of NKR and Armenia inaugurated "Trghe-1" - the first in series of long anticipated hydro-electric stations in Nagorno-Karabakh. The name of this new electric energy company is "Artsakh HEK”, which already had a base capital of $5mln on the day of its inauguration. Prime Minister of Armenia, Tigran Sargsyan has called on the public and the diaspora to buy the shares of "Artsakh HEPS" and to invest in NKR economy, saying that its security and future relies on its economic growth and economic self-sufficiency. The plans for the near future include the construction of two more mini-hydro-electric power stations on the same river – “Trghe-2 and “Trghe-3” by the end of 2010 and also “Mataghis-1” and “Mataghis-2” in 2011.[7] The realization of the given energetic program will give the chance to produce additional 120 million kwt/h of the electric power. By 2012 this will almost completely satisfy the requirements of the republic for the electric power, which will rise by then to 300 million kwt/h.

With these new power plants NKR hopes to become not only self-sufficient in terms of its electricity production, but also a net exporter of electric energy.

Road construction and Infrastructure

One of Nagorno-Karabakh's most eye-catching pieces of infrastructure is the $15 million Goris-Stepanakert road, built right after the war ended by funding from the Armenian diaspora.[2] This is the main road that connects the region with Armenia and the rest of the world.

Now the construction of the 168 km "North-South" highway at a cost of only $25 million,[2] which connects Mardakert with Stepanakert and Martuni is completed.

In recent years a Lebanese-funded phone operator company "Karabakh Telecom" was launched. Total profit from communication services has increased 12.8 percent since 2008.

Banking

ArtsakhBank has been operational since 1996 and has branches in Stepanakert and throughout various locations in Nagorno-Karabakh.[8][9] It employs 243 people. Some of the leading Armenian banks also have branches in Nagorno Karabakh.[10][11]

The sector is growing dynamically. As of September 1, 2010, the volume of deposits made AMD 38,664.1 mln. (~USD 107 mln.), which is 33.1% more, as compared to the level of January 1, 2010. As compared to January 1, 2010, the volume of credits issued by commercial banks increased by 28.3%.[12]

Mining

Nagorno-Karabakh is rich in natural resources of precious and semi-precious metals, such as gold and copper and other natural resources.

Copper and gold mining has been advancing since 2002 with development and launch of operations at Drmbon deposit.[13] Approximately 27-28 thousand tons (wet weight) of concentrates are produced[14] with average copper content of 19-21% and gold content of 35-55 g/t.[15] The mine is one of the biggest taxpayers of Nagorno-Karabakh[16] and employs 1200 workers of which 65% are local citizens.[17]

External Aid

NKR government has been a recipient of financial aid from the USA ($8 mln in 2010[18]) and Armenia ($30 mln).

Armenian Diaspora has also been instrumental in providing some financial assistance through "Hayastan" All-Armenian Fund, Monte Melkonian Fund, Artsakh Investment Fund as well as direct micro-assistance schemes.

References

External links

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