(MENAFN- AzerNews)
Qabil Ashirov read more Armenia again tried to show some exaggerated economic figures by
launching its imaginary development analysis. Thus, Armenian media
outlets claim that some international economic institutions
announced that the GDP per capita of Armenia will be over $8,000 in
2023, versus Azerbaijan's GDP per capita totaled $7,800 in 2023.
This whole fictitious calculation is really an economic section of
an Armenian lie. Where and how to get the information is another
matter. Actually, although it is not very interesting to
investigate, Armenia's attempt to keep itself on the same level as
Azerbaijan based on these mysterious numbers has led to the depth
of the issue.
But what will happen, if really the GDP per capita of Armenia
overtakes the GDP of Azerbaijan? The answer is short: nothing.
Because we observed quite similar situation before.
Let no one think that we took this matter seriously. Perhaps the
Armenian side, which exaggerated these numbers, believed in it more
than anyone else. We are not talking about the population yet,
because considering that Armenia has only 2.5 million inhabitants,
it is perhaps understandable that the country's GDP per capita has
reached this level. But this is still under question. In order to
understan the situation a way better, let's be a bit more specific
about the background of the both countries.
First of all, it should be noted that oil has been considered
the most strategic commodity for 150 years, and therefore Moscow
integrated Azerbaijan more than other South Caucasus countries
during the USSR making it its own backyard. Azerbaijani oils were
one of the major factors in the Soviet victory over the Nazis. It
was so precious for Moscow that newly founded oil wells in Siberia
in the 1940s were called Baku 1, Baku 2, and so on. So,
Azerbaijan's economy integrated into Moscow to such a degree that
when the Soviet Union collapsed Azerbaijan suffered more than its
neighbors. In 1992, in the first year of independence of three
countries in the South Caucasus, Azerbaijan was the poorest country
with $60 GDP per capita. It is worth noting that the then-GDP per
capita of Armenia was over $356. In other words, it was 6 times
more than Azerbaijan.
However, Azerbaijan's economy recovered itself very soon and the
GDP of Azerbaijan ramped up by 175 times and GDP per capita by 130.
At the same period, the GDP of Armenia increased by 17 times and
GDP per capita grew by 22 times. From these statistics, we can see
that the growth trend of Azerbaijan's economy proved to be 10 times
more than Armenia's.
Besides, as mentioned earlier, the demography of the two
countries also should be taken into account. When the Soviet Union
collapsed the population of Azerbaijan was 7 million, and the
population of Armenian totaled 3.5 million. Over 30 years, the
population of Azerbaijan increased by 40 percent totaling over 10
million, and the population of Armenia decreased by 30 percent
amounting to 2.6 million. So, if the population of Azerbaijan had
decreased by 30 percent as happened in Armenia and become 5
million, the GDP per capita would have amounted to $15,600, which
is twice more present GDP per capita of Armenia.
Besides, we also should not miss the most important factor.
Unlike Armenia, 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territories were
invaded. Azerbaijan could not use its natural resources and
agriculture in the occupied territories. To top it all off,
Azerbaijan was obliged to settle over 750,000 IDPs from the
territories under Armenian occupation, 250,000 refugees from
Armenia, and over 300,000 other people i.e. Georgian Azerbaijanis,
Meskhetins, Chechens, and so on.
Simultaneously, Azerbaijan conducted mass infrastructure
constructions which Armenia has never ever done before. Let's take
highways, for example. Over two decades, Armenia could only finish
five percent of the highway stretching from the border with Iran to
the border with Georgia, which is part of the International
North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
Moreover, it is very interesting that Armenia considers INSTC as
a guarantor to its statehood, but for 20 years, it cannot finish
the part that falls Armenia. In Armenian media outlets, even today
the experts debate which country should build the highway instead
of them. Iran and India are the most mentioned countries. However,
Azerbaijan constructed two big 4-lane highways from Baku to
Georgia, and from the Russian border to the Iranian border.
Moreover, Azerbaijan not only constructed the part of BTK railways
that falls on Azerbaijan's territory but also financed the
construction of the part that falls on Georgia.
In parallel with all these, Azerbaijan built a strong army by
spending billions to train its servicemen and purchase brand-new
weapons. Today, Azerbaijan's army is considered one of the most
capable armies in the world.
Furthermore, Azerbaijan is considered one of the most important
oil and gas suppliers in the world. In addition, to oil and gas
mega projects, Azerbaijan launched green energy projects. According
to the last investigations, Azerbaijan has 200 GW of green energy
potential. Azerbaijan intends to turn part of this potential into
electricity and to sell to Europe. It should be noted that probably
Armenia has green energy as well. They have never tried to launch
similar projects, but they were used to bolster how Armenians were
creative and so on.
Azerbaijan's foreign trade turnover always results in surpluses.
Due to it, the foreign exchange reserves of Azerbaijan increase
year by year. However, totally opposite situation happens in
Armenia. Foreign trade turnover of Armenia results in a deficit.
Wrongly, many relate this situation to oil and gas. Besides oil and
gas, other sectors flourish in Azerbaijan as well. Take
agriculture, for example. Azerbaijan ranks in first place in the
export of persimmon, in the top 5 in the export of hazel, in the
top 11 in the export of tomatoes, in the top 20 in the export of
apples, and so on. Taking into account that in terms of water,
Armenia is richer than Azerbaijan and 20 percent of Azerbaijan was
under Armenia over 30 years, Armenia should have had better results
in agriculture. However, we see the opposite. We can say the same
words in tourism, in mining, in textile and other sectors.
Finally, it should be noted that the increase in the Armenian
economy is not healthy but hormonised. Because the increase relates
to the capital shift from Russia to Armenia. Everybody knows very
well that soon or late the Russian-Ukrainian war will be over, and
the Russian capital will return home. In this case, the Armenian
economy will have hard times.
In conclusion, Armenia and Azerbaijan have had different
economic challenges and opportunities. Unlike Armenia, Azerbaijan
strictly and determinedly worked on it and reap the benefits.
Speaking about success based only upon one criterion is
whitewashing. Taking into account all criteria, some easily could
conclude that Armenia is the last country in the world to compare
itself with Azerbaijan.