For Immediate Release
June 24, 2006

NORTH-SOUTH HIGHWAY IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH: A LANDMARK PROJECT THAT STANDS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

A five-year major infrastructure project that links 150 cities and towns in the region

NEW YORK, New York – It is almost impossible to talk about economic development, moreover, about sustainability, if there is no reliable infrastructure to support that development. This was the logic behind the thinking of the initiators of All-Armenian Fund’s five-year multimillion-dollar infrastructure project – North South Highway- a $25 million road that extends about 100 miles connecting over 150 towns and villages throughout Nagorno-Karabakh. Today the road is vital to improving not only general accessibility to the region, but also making economic revitalization possible.

North South Highway in Nagorno-Karabakh

Over the last several years Armenia Fund USA has challenged its donors and supporters to contribute to the $25 million needed to complete the construction of the North-South Highway. Several Telethons – major fundraising events traditionally aired by Western region affiliate of the Fund and through the participation of all Armenian Diaspora, have been devoted to the construction of this highway.

From Drmbon to Mardakert, from Hadrout to Tsakouri, from Kichan to Stepanakert – the highway winds its way through the towns and villages of an economically vulnerable and challenged region. Since the last update on the construction works of the highway in 2005, only 16 miles (out of the 84 miles already built/under construction) remained to be constructed. The process involves place-to-place explosions to build the road, cleaning- and earthworks, asphalting, as well as installing traffic signs in accordance to international standards.

The construction of 8.7-kilometer Stepanakert-Karmir Shuka section of the road started in January of 2005 and is due to be completed in October of 2006. This was the heaviest part of the remaining construction works. Another section of the road under construction is Drmbon-Stepanakert, a 11.6- kilometer highway that links surrounding villages and towns to the capital of Stepanakert. A completed section of the highway includes the 5.2-kilometer Kichan-Drmbon road.

Approximately 6.5 kilometers of road remains to be constructed before the North-South Highway is complete.

Today anyone traveling to Karabakh from Armenia or elsewhere can not help but value the new level of activity and easiness of movement of people and goods in the region. Previously war-damaged narrow roads that were not accessible by vehicles are now replaced by a state-of-the-art highway that meets the international standards. Building on its worthwhile pledge of providing long-term sustainability and development through all of the projects sponsored for the last fifteen years, Armenia Fund USA with its international affiliates is currently focusing on the regional development of Nagorno-Karabakh, with the Fund particularly focusing on the development of the agricultural sector of Karabakh’s economy. Some new initiatives of providing access roads as part of the rural development plan will also contribute to the 6,5 kilometers remained for North-South Highway to complete. Among many other efforts to support the region, the provision of proper road infrastructure is what Karabakh’s economy is likely to rely on for years to come. North-South Highway is a landmark project that embodies the united efforts of all Armenians around the globe.

ABOUT ARMENIA FUND USA: ARMENIA FUND USA, founded in 1992, was the first of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s 19 international affiliates and serves constituents in all states east of the Mississippi. As a non-profit, non-governmental, nonsectarian organization, the Fund represents all Armenian constituents.

Armenia Fund USA is the largest contributor among the 19 international affiliates – supporting strategic infrastructure projects in Armenia and Karabakh, and having helped build 138 miles of roads, 100 miles of waterways, 36 schools, 3 electric transmission networks, 210 residential buildings and 15 healthcare institutions.

Armenia Fund USA’s Mission is the development of strategic socio-economic infrastructure in Armenia and Karabakh, focusing on major projects such as major highways, schools, drinking water to communities and humanitarian programs in education, training and medical facilities. The Fund has adopted a policy to go “Beyond Bricks and Mortar” to provide sustainability for projects it sponsors.

To learn more about Armenia Fund USA, please visit our website at
www.ArmeniaFundUSA.org or call us at 212-689-5307.

Armenia Fund USA
80 Maiden Lane, Suite 301
New York, NY 10038