Jirayr Shahichanyan considers himself to be a successful businessman in Karabakh although he confesses his earnings aren’t that great. Jirayr, a 34 year-old Armenian from the Iranian city of Isphahan, first set foot in Karabakh in 1996 after completing his compulsory military service.

After spending a few months in Karabakh he returned to Iran. In 1999 he moved to Karabakh with the intent to permanently resettle there.

He belonged to various ARF youth groups in Isphahan and this upbringing probably led him to Artsakh in the first place. Jirayr himself confirms that he came to Karabakh motivated by a sense of patriotism.

From the outset he began work to more effectively organize the running of ARF youth and student groups in Artsakh and later on was employed at the ARF political office in Stepanakert.

This Iranian-Armenian repatriate started to raise a family in Artsakh and still works in the city of Stepanakert, keeping busy with political party and social matters. At the same time he began to take steps to start a small business as well.

Jirayr and a few friends opened the “Khariskh” (Anchor) coffeehouse and bar on Azatamardikneri Street in the center of Stepanakert. Jirayr states, “We began construction of the building in 2002 and in May 2006 the doors opened for business. My partners and I do receive some profit from the business. True, you can say it’s not much but at least we’re not operating at a loss.”

According to Jirayr, there is no comparison when it comes to the conditions that exist for starting a business in Iran and Karabakh. Unlike Karabakh, in Iran the preconditions necessary to develop small and medium size business exist. In Iran, for example, there is much less bureaucratic red tape since they’re mainly keeping a close watch on large-scale enterprises. In his estimation there is much too much red tape to deal with in Karabakh, while at the same time confessing that a certain degree of official oversight of business is needed.

Jirayr notes that, “When it comes to the legal statutes in Karabakh, matters are gradually improving even though I confess that shortcomings still exist. In general, conditions to start a business here are normal. If you operate within the parameters of the law then you won’t encounter any difficulties. Personally, I’ve never felt the necessity to have someone ‘backing’ me up, which they say one must have to do business here.” 

Continuing his discussion about the people of Karabakh, Jirayr also made mention of their hospitality, a factor that can motivate more Armenians from the Diaspora to harbor the desire to resettle here. However the government must do its part to facilitate resettlement from the Diaspora. Jirayr says that when he talks about the governement granting certain allowances to Diaspora-Armenians, “I’m not at all talking about tax allowances. I believe there should be equal conditions for all. What I’m referring to the necessity of special citizenship and residency regulations for those from the Diaspora.” Jirayr himself doesn’t have Karabakh citizenship but rather the status of an immigrant and that on a temporary basis.

Jirayr believes that special citizenship allowances, coupled with the warm hospitality with which the people of Karabakh welcome those from abroad, will motivate more young Diaspora-Armenians to resettle here. As Jirayr stresses, “Passport registration and citizenship are like a honorary diploma for me. What’s important is how you are received by the people her. Due to their welcoming behavior one becomes more deeply attached to the land and to the people. You start to walk proudly, with your head held high, as if you too are a guardian of the country. As for all other issues, in time, they too will be resolved.”

Jirayr’s wife, Yerazik, confirms that they’ve never talked about relocating to Iran. “ We had already decided to return to Karabakh even before our wedding in Isphahan.  I remember well how uneasy I felt until we purchased our tickets. At the time we didn’t yet have a business here and Jirayr was unemployed. It felt like we just might wind up staying there. But I was frightened at the prospect of leaving Karabakh behind. I still was serving in the army and some feeling of duty prompted me to stay. After that the matter has never again come up.”

Stepanakert