Coronavirus outbreak has not affected yet Artsakh economy
11.05.2020,
19:48
The outbreak of coronavirus in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) has not affected its economy so far, Grigory Martirosyan, Minister of State and head of the Artsakh government task force, set up to enforce the emergency situation, said today.
YEREVAN, May 11. /ARKA/. The outbreak of coronavirus in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) has not affected its economy so far, Grigory Martirosyan, Minister of State and head of the Artsakh government task force, set up to enforce the emergency situation, said today. The emergency situation first declared on April 12, 2020, has been extended today until June 11.
"Despite the global economic decline and recession, in the first quarter of 2020, Artsakh's GDP grew by 7.9%. Nevertheless, about 300 business entities have suspended their activity and many employees have been temporarily laid off,' he said.
The minister of state said it was difficult to predict the level of a possible economic recession in Artsakh, however, some signs of deactivating economy could be seen, especially in trade.
“We hope that we will be able to overcome the economic downturn at the expense of those industries that are not related to imports, in particular, agriculture and construction,” he said.
He said also the government has designed and is implementing six economic assistance programs to support businesses and another four social assistance programs to support some groups of people.
According to him, assistance will be provided to hotels, catering, tourism and transportation companies, beauty salons, retail outlets, private kindergartens, creative and educational institutions and entertainment centers.
"They will be given about 1/5 of the total salary fund of all registered workers," he said.
Martirosyan emphasized that social support will be shown to all those citizens and families who have found themselves in a difficult situation due to restrictions caused by the regime of an emergency situation.
As of May 11, 14 confirmed cases of coronavirus were reported in Artsakh. Eight patients have recovered and 15 have self-isolated. Overall, 359 tests were conducted. No coronavirus-related death was reported. The first case of COVID-19 infection in Artsakh was recorded on April 7th. -0-
"Despite the global economic decline and recession, in the first quarter of 2020, Artsakh's GDP grew by 7.9%. Nevertheless, about 300 business entities have suspended their activity and many employees have been temporarily laid off,' he said.
The minister of state said it was difficult to predict the level of a possible economic recession in Artsakh, however, some signs of deactivating economy could be seen, especially in trade.
“We hope that we will be able to overcome the economic downturn at the expense of those industries that are not related to imports, in particular, agriculture and construction,” he said.
He said also the government has designed and is implementing six economic assistance programs to support businesses and another four social assistance programs to support some groups of people.
According to him, assistance will be provided to hotels, catering, tourism and transportation companies, beauty salons, retail outlets, private kindergartens, creative and educational institutions and entertainment centers.
"They will be given about 1/5 of the total salary fund of all registered workers," he said.
Martirosyan emphasized that social support will be shown to all those citizens and families who have found themselves in a difficult situation due to restrictions caused by the regime of an emergency situation.
As of May 11, 14 confirmed cases of coronavirus were reported in Artsakh. Eight patients have recovered and 15 have self-isolated. Overall, 359 tests were conducted. No coronavirus-related death was reported. The first case of COVID-19 infection in Artsakh was recorded on April 7th. -0-
