by Max Barry

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12

Zitravgrad's Economy, Imports/Exports and Major Industries



Featured Photo: Providenska City, a semi-new set of skyscrapers which are quite a sight that marks the modern half of Providenska.

The United Federation of Zitravgrad
Объединенная федерация Зитравград
Об'єднана Федерація Зітравград




Flag of the United Federation of Zitravgrad



Currency: Zitravian Hryvnias ( ZH$ )
Exchange Rate: 1 ZH$ = GC$ 0.36 (Globcoin -- cryptocurrency used as a central currency in Gaia, OOCly has the same value to USD)


EFFICIENCY
GDP Z$ 804,800,395,074.46
GDP/Capita ZH$ 14,642.91
Unemployment 7,860,135 ( 7.32% )
Consumption ZH$ 435,822,594,478.30
Budget ZH$ ZH$ 375,402,496,716.88
Expenditures ZH$ 352,878,346,913.86
Inflation 1.79%
Waste ZH$ 22,524,149,803.01


TRADE
Imports ZH$ 76,572,906,931.28
Exports ZH$ 92,672,360,613.58
Trade Surplus ZH$ 16,099,453,682.30


COMMODITIES
Gold ZH$ 1,348.74 / 1oz bar
Silver ZH$ 16.04 / 1oz bar
Platinum ZH$ 843.38 / 1oz bar
Palladium ZH$ 1,456.97 / 1oz bar



Introduction


Zitravgrad's economy is an emerging mixed market economy. As a result of wartime mobilization, the economy of Zitravgrad was stagnant for most of the Imperialists' War (1985 - 1995). It was during this time in which Zitravgrad established a sizeable arms manufacturing industry that exceeded its own need and was prepared for exports, but at the expense of slight decrease in governmental subsidization of other industries. After the war, Zitravgrad lost much of its precious farmlands and two minor industrial towns, and the mining operations in Central Zitravgrad became complicated.

Right after the war ended in 1995 and before the Revolution erupted in 2007, there were a series of economic revival from the Imperial Rule in Kozavia, but mostly by privatization and lobbying some state assets to private entities -- most notably the nobility and the rich families of commoners. This resulted in growth in overall economy but little change in personal wealth or well-being with high poverty rate peaking in 2003. While the Revolution put a two-year pause in Zitravgradian economy, it rose back to stability in 2009. With the new currency and new market opportunities, the economy grew at a steady rate from 2011 until 2017, alongside personal wealth of the population. The conflict in Basdon during 2018 - 2019 put another pause in this growth and damaged some infrastructure, trade, and industry in the southeastern region of the country.

Zitravgrad is a sizeable country with fertile farmlands although diminished almost by half of its pre-nuclear calamity size. It also has a large mining industry that caters sought-after resources like oil, uranium, and natural gas, as well as a well-developed industrial base, highly trained labour, and a good education-system. With fairly strong economic base, Zitravgrad would become a crucial trade partner to its neighbors and the Auropian Union, while shunning the Kozavian Empire and its territories for the most parts.



Main Import / Export


Export: metal, oil, natural gas, diamond, fish, machine parts, pharmaceutical products, medical/scientific equipment, corn, seed oil, iron ore, intermediate goods, transport and mechanical equipment, chemicals

Import: processed food, meat, agricultural products, automobile, rubber, plastic, medicine, coal briquettes, garnetted wool, animal hair, chemicals, textiles, automobiles



Economic Ideology


The national economic system actually can be interpreted as a form of mixed-market economy but with its state-owned enterprises being run with state capitalist system. Zitravgrad is a rising middle-income nation rich in minerals: iron, copper, uranium, natural gas, and oil, with the smaller diamond mining industry. However, other resources are somewhat scarce, but no critical, due to the harsh weather and sometimes necessities like food and textiles are imported. Zitravgrad's largest trade partner is the Auropian Union. Imports are a common sight, almost as common as state products themselves, and foreign franchises can operate under the same laws and regulations which the domestic businesses also share. There is certainly a rising trend of consumerism and materialism in Zitravgrad as a result of prolonged economic stability as well as a rise in civil freedom. However, the state still prefers keeping the nation's businesses under its thumb. Lobbying is rare thanks to the constitutional clauses that attempt to prevent the issue, but nonetheless inevitable. Some influential private companies also hold shares in state-own enterprises.

Only the assets used by the public collectively are truly state-owned, ranging from utilities, infrastructure, energy industry, education system and healthcare premises, although private education and healthcare certainly exist. As many as 93% of Zitravgradian working-age population is employed. However, the number of the population has decreased dramatically once in 2008, leaving the nation slightly short of laborers, both skilled and unskilled and leading to massive industrialization and automation. As most people with a job are technically employed by the government, taxes will be deducted automatically from the salary. The current rate is at 20-30%, varying by income in a progressive tax system. Despite all the misconceptions about Zitravgradian left-wing economy, citizens are very familiar with foreign products, franchises, and luxury brands as a new era of decandence starts.



Currency


Zitravian Hryvnia is the currency of the United Federation of Zitravgrad, officially founded in 2009 along with the Central Bank of Zitravgrad. Before Imperial Zitravia seceded from Kozavian Empire, their currency was the same as the Empire, which was Imperial Ruble. But as the Zitravian states became more and more neglected by the Empire and the Imperial rubles appeared to drop in values, the wealthy citizens and the revolutionary "warlords" put their money into gold, palladium, and currencies of more stable nations through offshore bank accounts and eventually bought the new currency when it was issued, thus giving it value. Most recently 1 ZH$ = GC$ 0.36.



Agriculture Industry


Despite being known for fertile soil and robust farmland scenes, Zitragradian agriculture does not satisfy the country's need and can only feed 75% of the population in a year of good harvest, leading to importation of food products. Approximately, 25% of crops planted in Zitravgrad are in underground or indoor farms in which sunlight is synthesized from the so-called 'solar lamps'. The nearly identical attic farming contributes to the other 3-5% of crops. Some households who own houses might take up attic and basement farming to feed themselves or for hobby. The question of animal farms is, however, still dominated by traditional on-land farmers and major corporations -- to whom the state auctioned the lands of the deposed nobility The timber industry is also quite strong, albeit soon to be slowed down for environmental concerns.

In a rather complicated fashion, the crops on Zitravgradian soil are sowed earlier and harvested later than most countries due to the unnaturally cold climate, with a small percentage of the crops left unharvested due to the stunt in growth. This leads to the long-term project to genetically-modify every kind of cattle, poultry, fish, grain, fruit, and vegetable cultivated in the industry, in hope that they might survive the cold and the radiation. Although looking 'good', Zitravgradian crops do not sell well abroad due to health and dietary concerns, if not also the rumored radioactivity in food. All the GMO food are labeled by the manufacturers, as required by the international standard.



Fishing Industry


Zitravgrad has two ways out to the sea, the western coast to the Baldreatic Sea and the northern coast to the Arctica Sea. While both are known for freezing in winter, the fishermen can make use of Zitravgrad's exclusive economic zones for fishing. This industry has been feeding Zitravgrad well and good for centuries. Zitravgradian cuisine is known for the use of herring, trout, salmon, tuna, and caviar from sturgeon and beluga.

Jokingly, it can be said that Zitravgradian fishing boats are taken care of by the Navy. It is true to an extent and all fishing boats are lightly-to-moderately armed for the purpose of repelling pirates (as if there is any, at all).



Tourist Industry


Still, if there is something that Zitravgradians do not boast about, it is tourism. The world outside generally understands that Zitravgrad is a "cold, barren wasteland". Although one of the centers of Eastern Slavic culture, the political atmosphere and the geographical misshapen have dampened the country's place in the tourists' eyes somewhat. Nonetheless, Zitravgrad is recognized for vibrant 'modern' culture as well as long history and fascinating sights to see in major cities. However, there is a special kind of tourists -- the thrillseekers. They come specifically to the wasteland zones to explore and experience the infamous "shattered time capsule". This is better felt than explained.



Mining Industry


Zitravgrad's mining industries make up 45% of national GDP. Mining is regarded as the national backbone, replacing agriculture, and, as a result, the mining regions are regarded as very important and some of them become major cities. The largest mining zone is in Svarevna, which means it has its own underground storage. Unfortunately, about 12.25% of all minerals mined is deemed contaminated by radiation and needs to be cleaned up, which spikes the total cost needed to obtain the minerals themselves. The mining industry is arguably the largest industry in Zitravgrad. Its sub-categories include iron, copper, uranium, natural gas, and oil, with the smaller diamond mining industry as well as "novelty minerals" which are rare, sought-after minerals not yet completely understood by science.

    List of novelty minerals mined in Zitravgrad

  • Azursalzium (lit. blue salt) - used in medicine and chemical industries

  • Asphazite - highly radioactive white crystal, used in energy industry

  • Amagranatium - precious stone resembling garnet, used as diamond synthetics and in computing industry as material for builiding storage medium

  • Blautodium - deep blue metal-like minerals, used in the same rein as cobalt



Arms Industry


As a result of warpreparedness of the late 80s and early 90s, Zitravgrad can produce weapons, military vehicles, and equipment for its own use and even some export with close allies and even Auropian Union, while also importing from them. Thanks to a strong manufacturing industry along with natural resources, the nation can produce most of its armament without relying on foreign support. For the arms produced in Zitravgrad, see the Armed Forces for further information.



Transportation Industry


As of every business in Zitravgrad which has public access, transportation is also state-run. 89% of the roads in the country are paved which means the other 11% might simply disappear in case of heavy snow or are still dirt. The most popular private vehicles used by the citizen are cars and motorcycles, with the rising popularity towards bicycles in smaller, less traffic-congested cities. In more rural zones, the means of transportation are more adapted to the snowy terrain, such as snowmobiles and sledges (pulled by huskies and snowmobiles). Meanwhile, public transports are also available (and indeed state-run).

In large city: Zitravgrad Metro, Taxi and Metropoliska Bus
In small city: Taxis are available, but fewer because people prefer private vehicles
Between cities: National Trans-Zitravgrad trains are high-speed, but often cancel in case of snowstorms. Cruise ships are available except when the rivers are frozen over. Icebreakers are also used but only to transport goods.
International: Zitravgrad Airline proves to be a moderate success and chooses its crews from the Air Force., while the nuclear-powered icebreakers are the main transportation between Zitravgrad and other nations sharing Baldreatic Sea.

Meanwhile, the automobile industry has a small share of the market. It produces moderately-priced hybrid cars and electric cars known for endurance more than aesthetics like the popular, mass-produced sedan "Luvaska". Foreign cars have long worned their way into Zitravgradian market and Auestriker cars like 'BCG' and 'Ernheiz-Medessa' are extremely popular among the middle class for its aesthetics and efficiency. Meanwhile, Atlanzian vintage cars also become popular in the recent years.



Science and Technology


Zitravgrad's scientific communities, both in state institution and private employment, see several talents and form a new caste of the seemingly casteless society, as well as new collective culture and custom only practiced within their circle. They industrialize science and work towards implementing their doctrines and principles for the state and the society -- seeing themselves as a beacon of the new era. Below are examples of what Zitravgrad is known for:

  • Antimatter weaponry/energy - It is believed that Zitravgrad's key to the world is its government's patent on early prototypes to harness antimatter for military and energy uses. Zitravgradian scientists are by no mean the first people who have done it, and they reserch antimatter alongside other Auropian nations and institutions.

  • Artificial sunlight - The solar lamp has a special patented lightbulb that uses 30% more power than ordinary lamp. It can synthesize the sunlight and proves to be crucial for the agricultural industry which is soon moved indoors for more concentrated production.

  • Genetic-altering fertilizer - Though deemed unsavory by other nations, this fertilizer is confirmed 'safe' and 'has no effect on the environment'. (Ironically, it is used in underground farms surrounded by walls.) Plants grow faster and have more endurance. This effect seems to pass onto the consumers who report faster growth in children and teenagers. It is banned in some countries with stricter standard on health food.

  • Snow distillers - Clean snow in Zitravgrad is 'harvested' to distill water out of it. That sounds silly in other countries, but in Zitravgrad, snow is always around. Many stations can distill up to 500kg of snow per day to produce water supply for the cities. It is operated only in winter. In other seasons, these stations are used to purify used water.

  • Factory/Mining machinery - Zitravgrad's visible lack of laborers leads it to automize many of its industries, especially manufacturing and mining. Just imagine assembly lines with robot arms run with AIs.

  • Wind farming - Obviously not invented in Zitravgrad, but wind farming in Zitravgrad is highly efficient due to special windmills that will not break during vicious snowstorms. The introduction of wind farming greatly reduces the nation's reliance on oil-powered and nuclear-powered electricity. Solar power, however, is out of the question.

  • Computer parts - Not 100% made in Zitravgrad but some parts are produced here and the products are assembled here.

  • Scientific/Medical equipment - From a random beaker to a scalpel to CAT Scan, the industry for this is stable enough.

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Health and Pharmaceutical Industries

Products Available for Foreign Trades

These are the lists of pharmaceutical products that are mass-produced not only for domestic use or import, but also for the operations by Blue Cross International. Feel free to contact our government through our Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the negotiation concerning or pharmaceutical industry.

As vaccination is mandatory in Zitravgrad, most of our population remain immune to major diseases that have vaccinations.
The following are available in large number.
- Hepatitis A vaccine
- Hepatitis B vaccine
- Hepatitis C vaccine
- Hepatitis E vaccine
- Influenza vaccine
- Polio vaccine
- Smallpox vaccine
- Yellow fever vaccine
The following are classified as 'Complex': Please consult our Ministry's manual before using.
- Respiratory syncytial virus
- Malaria vaccine
- Hookworm vaccine
- Alzheimer's disease amyloid protein vaccine
- Breast cancer vaccine
- Ovarian cancer vaccine
- Prostate cancer vaccine
- HIV vaccine

- Amantadine -- used for influenza
- Atazanavir -- used to treat and prevent HIV/AIDS
- Interferon type I -- large subgroup of interferon proteins that help regulate the activity of the immune system
- Interferon type II
- Pegylated interferon alfa-2a -- used to treat hepatitis C and hepatitis B.
- Ribavirin -- used together with Pegylated interferon alfa-2a to treat hepatitis C

Anesthetics
- Chloroform
- Halothane
- Methoxyflurane
Bronchodilators
- Ipratropium -- used to treat the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma
- Isoproterenol -- used for the treatment of bradycardia (slow heart rate) and heart block
- Metaproterenol -- used in the treatment of asthma
- Salmeterol -- prevents chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) symptoms
Antihypertensives
Amyl nitrite -- expands blood vessels, resulting in lowering of the blood pressure, used with utmost caution
Nitric oxide -- treats primary pulmonary hypertension in neonatal patients
Anti-inflammatories
- Budesonide -- used in the long-term management of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Cromolyn -- prevents the release of inflammatory chemicals such as histamine from mast cells
- Flunisolide -- prescribed as treatment for allergic rhinitis
Antimicrobials
- Tobramycin -- used to treat various types of bacterial infections, particularly Gram-negative infections
- Zanamivir -- used to treat and prevent influenza caused by influenza A and B viruses

Our nation runs on this kind of help. Without them, we might not get up and back on our feet at all.
Antidepressant
- Escitalopram -- used with major depressive disorder (MDD) or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Levomilnacipran -- used with major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults
- Vortioxetine -- prescribed to treat depression
Antipsychotic
- Fluphenazine -- used in the treatment of chronic psychoses such as schizophrenia
- Haloperidol -- used in the treatment of schizophrenia, tics in Tourette syndrome, mania in bipolar disorder, nausea and vomiting, delirium, agitation, acute psychosis, and hallucinations in alcohol withdrawal

- Cybernetics Replacement -- we can replace lost arms, legs or even internal organs and neural system with a cybernetic replacement, which can be controlled by the bio-microchips which will be installed within your neural systems.
- Stem Cell Replacement -- A natural alternative from cybernetics, stem cell replacement organs are lab-grown and causes next to no allergic reactions.
- Antimatter-based Cancer Treatment -- When hadron beams hit the cancer cells, antimatter particles called positrons (antiparticles of electrons), are produced. Scientists use these antiparticles as an indication or signal that the beams only destroy the tumors.
- Anti-Aging Therapy -- a newfound serum, tested and tried, will vitalize and restore your body cells and leave you years younger than you areml.
- Fertility Treatment -- Whether caused by genes or other causes, our fertility treatment guarantees 85% overall efficiency. However, this service is female-only for the time being.



Recycling Industry


Zitravgrad's recycling industry is vaguely competent, at least to the point that it could import narby countries' trash to be recycled. Interestingly, it is by far considered the most efficient state-owned industry. However, it remains state-owned mostly because the state is already responsible for providing public hygiene measures which included garbage collection and management. Moreover, it can enforce recycling laws upon its citizen with the assistance of the regular police.

    According to the National Recycling Measures, the following materials are to be separated for recycling:
    1) Aluminium/Steel tins, cans or boxes, and foils
    2) All forms of papers - cardboards, magazines, newspaper, office papers, dairy/juice cartons, etc.
    3) Glasses - divided by colors
    4) Ceramics and Porcelains
    5) All forms of plastic containers
    6) All forms of battery and lightbulbs
    7) Electronics
    8) Textiles

    [b]Department of Recycling also proposes the following measures:[b]
    1) The reduction of plastic straws -- to be replaced by paper straws in every state-run restaurant and cafe
    2) The production is required to use recyclable or biodegradable materials
    3) In state-run restaurants, cafes and cafeterias, biodegradable plastic boxes are used for takeout.
    4) Milk and beverages are encouraged to be sold either in recyclable plastic bottles or glass bottles.
    5) State-run markers, shops, grocery stores, supermarkets and hypermarkets will not offer plastic bags for free, but rather sold for 5-10 hryvnia.





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