Two years ago, the Government of Armenia adopted a strategy of export-oriented industrial policy.The program of state support for implementation of activities foreseen by the strategy and established annually by the Government of Armenia was launched in 2013. Recently, the government approved the program and list of activities within the framework of the program for 2014 a second time. "Golos Armenii" tells us about its practical implementation.
The article says that for attracting well-known international industrial organizations, last year three forums and a workshop were organized and attended by about 1,550 representatives. Within the framework of the Armenian-Iraqi Business Forum was organized the exhibition "Armenian export goods". 75 enterprises took part in it, supported by the Industry Development Foundation. According to the publication, Armenia intends to create a database of the Armenian Diaspora representatives who are senior and middle managers in foreign companies and organizations, which could contribute to the promotion of Armenian goods.
Assistance is also provided directly to export-oriented companies. Last year, 11 such companies received partial (3%) subsidy on loans, 86 economic entities received state support (50 percent co-financing).
A separate aspect of the Strategy is work on the overhaul of the Gyumri Technology Center, supported by the World Bank. This year the plan is to attract additional administrative staff to participate in the establishment of start-ups, their consulting support, establishing business relations and training of specialists. About 570 million drams ($1.4 million) have been allocated from the state budget for the implementation of the activities in 2014. However, the author believes that this is not enough for effective implementation of the Strategy, private investment is also needed.
***
The "North Ossetia" newspaper published an interview with Larissa Kabolova, Chairman of the North Ossetia-Alania Employment Committee. According to her, at the beginning of 2014, 10.9 thousand unemployed were registered in employment centers, i.e. 3.1% of the economically-active population. The average tension in the labor market of the republic at the beginning of the year exceeded 12 people per job, while in Vladikavkaz it is only 3.8 people. The most deplorable situation is observed in the Kirov, Digorsky, Iraf and Alagir districts.
70% of demand of the enterprises is focused on workers - electricians, gas and electric welders, drivers, mechanics. As for professionals, doctors, managers and engineers are in the greatest demand.
The average salary for the registered vacancies on an annualized basis amounted to 8.5 thousand rubles. According to Ms Kabolova, in 2013 the Employment Service of the Republic employed (including temporary jobs) 13.7 thousand people, more than 17 thousand have received vocational guidance, psychological support and social adaptation consultations, over 100 job fairs and Employer Days were carried out. In addition to the "regular" measures that the Committee on Employment implements every year in accordance with its functions, for the past five years it has also been obliged to implement so-called complementary measures, which are taken by the government each year, and 95% funded from the federal budget. Ms Kabolova reported that the government of North Ossetia had approved the state program "Promotion of Employment of the Republic of North Ossetia - Alania for 2014-2018". The total planned funding of the state program is about 2 billion rubles, of which about 1 billion rubles will come from the federal budget for social welfare payments to the unemployed. In addition to the familiar activities, due to changes made to the RF Law "On Employment in the Russian Federation", the program has scheduled professional training for pensioners who wish to return to work.
***
As reported by Azerbaijani newspaper "The Mirror", the Institute of Geology of the National Academy of Sciences began studies to determine the centers of origin of thermal waters and their occurrence. According to the publication, in addition to the use of these high-temperature waters as a heat source, their energy potential can be used to generate electricity. Such technology is already widely known in the world, and its use is justified.
The research is being conducted in accordance with the state program for use in the Republic of Azerbaijan of alternative and renewable energy sources, adopted in 2004. Vasily Lavrushin, Head of Department of the RAS Geology Institute and Doctor of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences was invited to participate in this work.
Media reported that the country had previously carried out research which revealed large reserves of thermal waters on the territory of Azerbaijan. Thus, from 1964 into the 1970-ies in the Talysh district in the south of Azerbaijan 17 wells were drilled, and in each of them were discovered thermal waters with temperatures of 38-64 ° C. To use them as a source of thermal energy, 10 greenhouses were built for growing early vegetables in the winter months. Then oil exploration wells were drilled in the Jarly structure in Kurdamir district and in the Caspian district were discovered thermal waters up to 30 thousand cubic meters per day, where the temperature at the surface reached 97 ° C. Later were also discovered deposits of thermal waters of 25.7 thousand cubic meters per day in the Guba-Khachmaz district, which is now partially used for medicinal purposes and heating. Reserves of thermal waters have been found in several areas of the Azerbaijani part of the Greater and Lesser Caucasus. However, in general, the use of these waters for the country's needs remains poor, and this brought about the current research.
According to project leader, head of the Department of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology, doctor of geological-mineralogical sciences Yusif Israfilova, the main task is to determine the exact coordinates of the location of foci of occurrence of thermal waters. If their location is scientifically proven, relevant government agencies will be informed about the possibilities of drilling in these places.
***
According to the newspaper "Kabardino-Balkaria Truth", when summarizing the work of the Tersky district health facilities of the republic in 2013 it was revealed that the infant mortality rate had decreased to 5 cases against 11 in 2012, and staffing in rural health clinics was markedly improved, today it is 85% compared to 60% in 2012. To a large extent, this has been achieved thanks to the implementation of the federal project "Rural Doctor" since 2012, whose main task is to attract the maximum number of young doctors to work in rural areas. A surgery building, a maternity ward and a number of other regional hospitals still need to be repaired. Acting Minister of Health and Resorts of the KBR, Irma Shetova, asked the district administration to pay attention to the alarming statistics on oncological diseases, intestinal infections and tuberculosis.
***
According to the newspaper "The Republic of Abkhazia", in the last twenty years there have been several waves of Abkhazians' immigration to their historical homeland, but last year marked a record. Due to the events in Syria, from this country alone 522 people moved to Abkhazia permanently in 2013. The Republican State Committee for Repatriation has been working with the arriving compatriots for years, and recently, to strengthen the work, a Repatriation Department was established at Sukhun City Hall, whose aim is to assist in resolving issues related to employment, life, medical care, schooling for children and universities.To integrate the returnees into Abkhazian society, they will be provided with language courses from Abkhazian University teachers. The lessons require the active involvement of students in the communicative process, and the teachers also talk about the culture and life of Abkhazia. For returnees' children there is a special program for teaching the Abkhaz language. Many of those who came earlier have already found jobs in their field, including the medical, engineering and construction industries, on public television, in the theater. Recently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Information Department employed two young compatriots from Syria, who are working on the first Arabic-speaking website about Abkhazia, while three experts from Syria and Egypt were employed by the Chamber of Commerce of Abkhazia in June 2013. The article also provides examples of successful businesses that are run by Abkhazians who have previously migrated from Turkey. Those are, in particular, three factories for the production and processing of fishmeal and oil in Ochamchira and Sukhumi, exporting to Russia and Turkey, a construction company, a large enterprise that grows vegetables and fruit, as well as a network of oriental sweets stores.To support returnees' enterprises, the Chamber of Commerce has established the business council "Abkhazia - Turkey", which unites 50 entrepreneurs.
