ecomomic data of the north ?

[cypezokyli]

just wondering, do you know where i can find the major economic data of the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" ?

i refer to things like unemployment, inflation, growth , the number of employed persons in the public sector, the significance of the public sector in the economy, the proportion of the goverment budget that comes from turkey etc, etc ?

mostly interested in the beginning of this decade.

thanx

[thebrix]

[Mete]

I was going to say that even authorities in the north probably don't know this data and your best bet is CIA Factbook but thebrix did it before me, so thanks!

[cypezokyli]

I just found this interesting article from an economist from the University of greenwich. I believe he is a Turkish Cypriot as he studied in M.E. Technical University.

” Ugur Mehmet (2003): EU Membership and the North-South Development Gap in Cyprus: A Proposal p.121 ; in Fouskas K. Vassilis , Richter A. Heinz (Ed) (2003): Cyprus and Europe; The Long Way Back; BIBLIOPOLIS Mannheim und Möhnesee

he claims that neither the non-recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, nor the embargoes can explain the different economic development of north and south.

he claims that this is the result of two factors : "the ineficiency of the institutions and governance structures established in the north after the division, and the sychronisation with Turkeys business cycle caused by adopting the turkish currency as legal tender.

the north (he claims) has chosen a clientelistic strategy of legimization that involved the following : employment by the state rather than the private sector, dependance on turkish aid, and stifling of productive investment.

the clientelistic nature of the north cyprus politics outstrip goverment revenue (salaries , wages and transfers ) by 30-50%. this anomaly clearly indicates that the legitimacy of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has been based on the disbursment of quasi-private goods such as employment-related transfers rather than public goods such as rules for a stable macroeconomic environment or investment in infrastructure and human capital. in this setting, economic failure does not generate opposition demanding change in policy or goverment structures.
on the contrary the worse the economic performance is, the more likely it is for the state to become a centre of attraction for political parties and interest groups competing for influence on how quasi private goods should be distributed. therefore it is not surprising to observe that the widening gap between north and south has been accompanied by continuous support of the political system in the north.


.............
pretty interesting claims.
finally there is a serious relation made between economics and politics.

[repulsewarrior]

Very interesting, cyp, thanks.

[RudeGal]

Interesting article. My thoughts are yes, there are lots of inefficiencies/cronyism-petty corruption in North and also Turkish aid have made Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus too dependent. Part of problem is embargoes have encouraged a brain drain in North - best peeps are now abroad, not much to encourage them to return. Also some of most able Turkish Cypriot kids now in family business and not interested in entering State politics, so run by some of least competent...

I've always thought if isolation lifted & links-trade with South grow, then Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus private sector grows and challenges State, reduces dependency with Turkey, & helps reconcile two sides.

Looking from Greek Cypriot perspective, perhaps may be interested in ending trade embargoes (direct flights, produce sales, etc) if exchanged for say moratorium on North property development, so something of value for either side.

[repulsewarrior]

RudeGal, long time no speak, welcome.

I agree, as many do, that trade between the north and south is a good thing. It has begun and it will happen because it is natural.

Also, I suspect by working together, the business acumen of both willl greatly improve, expanding their role as representatives of their regional partners, given the criteria that European countries have for Rule of Law, and accountability, in Banking and Trade.

[100%cypriot]

It makes the situation harder as they are in a catch 22 situation , the south allows them to taste some crumb's and try's to manipulate the current political stalemate by trying to show that the south will embrace them as soon as they get their own way , this is somewhat incorrect as by refusing a bulk of the Turkish produce that leaves the goods to rot as there is no-where else to export as Turkey produces its own good's

[repulsewarrior]

The "Greeks" cannot have their way, just as the "Turks". Cyprus can belong to no one, and this island's dwellers will have a form of self representation which will allow them a means to sustain themselves, as a State.

Without armies of any kind, or more than likely, supermilitarised, its geographic position will no longer pose a threat to Turkey's security. Hopefully, it will be a base from which we fight real enemies, like hunger and disease. More importantly the resolution will return the people the Liberty of Free Association, Free Movement, and Free Expression which Human Kind has grown to expect for itself. Anything less degrades the values which all people hold dear, for which there was and still is much sacrifice, and in which all people are equal.

Without the Goodwill of "Greeks" toward their "Turkish" brethren this Cypriot identity will be pushed to extinction. Cyprus will become the name of the island; tell me does the island Haiti is on, does it have a name?, However, as I said before, the gates have only recently been opened, time will tell. People follow the same parctice of social-exchange all over the world, so I suspect that ordinary people in ther ordinary lives will seek to better themselves from the opportunities that are around them, and this now includes associsation between these peoples.

[100%cypriot]

But when the people are continuosly reminded that they must fight Back against the Tyrany of the Turks , you don't see people distinguish that the Turkish Cypriots are there and are Cypriots !! all you see is a pretty much Blanket Ban on the word Turkish and anything that it represents ,

Never knew that TURKISH Delight had evolved and become Cyprus Delight ! that was just a very simple example oh and when did Turkish Coffee become Greek Coffee , so as i am pointing out the powers that be if they could remove the Word TURKISH from everything they would and i dont think that is helping the Cyprus Problem .

[repulsewarrior]

In my village Turkish coffee is made with three spoons of coffee and three spoons of sugar, a Greek coffee is made with one spoon of coffee and one spoon of sugar.

[100%cypriot]

Thats funny , ive never ever heard Turkish Coffee to be called anything else !! even the Arabs call it Turkish Coffee , Tpap has you all playing to his tune , Maybe in Cyprus the Word Turkish is Taboo , but only in Cyprus ( south ) the greeks have a real complex

[repulsewarrior]

cent percent, calmez-vous.

You don't have to twist a pleasent memory into some horrible injustice. We were talking about about economic data and our thoughts on its results, besides.

...ans so what? you"ve heard Grecophones call what they are drinking Greek Coffee, probably all over the world in Greek restaurant who serve this beverage have but one item on their menu, and that would be this coffee, they drink. But a connasseur knows as I do, with a Tall glass of iced water, and raki on the side, nothing beats sipping the coffee I know and love, I call Turkish, while sitting under the hot dry sun up on the hill, in my village.

Do the italians pick fights with the french because they use the same technology, or are the differences in the coffee blend?

[100%cypriot]

whatever you say

[RudeGal]