By Vestnik Kavkaza
What will joining the Customs Service give Armenia? The Yerevan weekly newspaper “Business Express” tries to answer the question in its analytical article.
The author writes that today Armenia is a not big economy (it is absent in top-100 of the world rating) which is focused on production of nonferrous metals and food. There is no investment inflow to the country as there are few sphere in Armenia where money could be invested. As for corruption, the republic is one of leaders in the world, and it doesn’t attract foreign capital.
The article says that a significant part of money is received by Armenia due to money transfers from abroad – 13% of GDP; 60% of which come from Russia. Actually money transfers are crucial for the national economy.
As for production and export, dependence from Russia is high as well. In 2012 18% of all export was to Russia. The variety of products is narrow: food and alcohol are 2/3 of all export to Russia; they bring $150 million annually. Energy resources, grain, and metals are imported from Russia: Armenia has a big trade deficit with Russia – about $800 million. Import from Russia to Armenia is much more important for the national economy than from any other country: the volume of import from China is three times smaller than from Russia. And while export to the European countries is more or less significant (the South Caucasian country exports as much products to Germany and Belgium together as to Russia), import is small and is limited by hi-tech products and luxury goods. As statements on reforms and diversification of economy haven’t brought any real results, and objectively Armenia is knotted to Russia in economic and political spheres, there will be no radical changes in the situation in the near future, the article states.
According to the author, Armenia will benefit from joining the Customs Union because it will have an opportunity to export products to markets of Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan freely, i.e. its producers will gain more. At the same time, import from Russia is very important for the Armenian government.
***
South Ossetia Newspaper states that development of political processes in the republic, ways of development of the South Ossetian statehood are discussed by experts, MPs, political scientists, and representatives of social organizations.
The head of Ir Media Center, Irina Gagloyeva, stated that Russia which recognized South Ossetia’s independence recognized the right of South Ossetians on their own state, however, the situation was difficult, not all processes of statehood development were undergoing in a right way. There are serious problems in the socio-economic sphere, which also influence politics.
It was noted that the century dream of the North and the South of Ossetia was unification, but the history developed in a different way, but today independent South Ossetia and North Ossetia within the RF present a united ethnic space. However, it doesn’t mean that official structures should stop supporting the unity of the ethnic group by practical steps, as there are a lot of formats for this.
Today the majority of founded parties state about joining Russia in their political programs. The idea of joining Russia can be seen in programs of leaders of both the North and the South. At the same time, the other part of the population stands for preservation of independence of South Ossetia. The difference in views which is typical for official statements as well leads the society to doubts. Sarmat Gabarev, expert of Media Center, noted that South Ossetia was independent for 20 years, but the society still has no common view on the problem. He suggests organization of a referendum.
The newspaper informs that the majority of speakers stand for independence of South Ossetia. Some state that at the moment the problem is not relevant, as South Ossetia has more important problems which determine its further existence.
***
The Azerbaijani newspaper “Caspy” reports that according to the vice-president of SOCAR on economic affairs, Suleiman Gasymov, the company established a new enterprise – SOCAR Polymer – it will produce high-pressure polymers. The new company will be a potential participant of the capital market of the country and is established for providing operations in the Sumgait Chemical Industrial Park (SKSP).
SOCAR owns 100% of the new company. It has already paid its authorized capital - $65 million. It enables the company to start buying necessary equipment.
The vice-president of SOCAR said that SOCAR Polymer has the investment program for $485 – it will be formed by 30% from its own resources and by 70% from private investments, credits, and partners.
***
The newspaper “Kabardino-Balkaria Pravda” reports that the three-day workshop-training Institutional Development of Social Organization took place within the project “Incubator of Social Organizations.” More than 20 social leaders from Kabardino-Balkaria, Chechnya, and Dagestan participated in it.
The head of the social organization “Institute of the Youth Problems” who organized the classes, Mussa Dzhappuyev, states that today the majority of social organizations turn into “sleepy.” According to the Ministry of Justice Department on the KBR, more than 800 social organizations are registered in the republic, but no more than 50 of them are acting. Social organizations have problems with money and equipment; their staff cannot find information about ways of development of their activity, have no skills in social projecting. Social activists learnt about it at the workshop.
***
Ingushetia Newspaper presents results of the social poll among young specialists of the region initiated by the Corporation of the North Caucasus Development. According to the survey, more than 80% of young people are ready to build a career in the NCFD. Moreover, more than 80% thinks that the NCFD gives good opportunities for self-realization and professional development for young people.
Young specialists think agriculture and tourism are the most promising spheres, as well as development of infrastructure, chemical and oil chemical spheres.
