02.02.2019

The outcomes of the CCI of RA participation in the Bratislava exhibition

The delegation of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Abkhazia, headed by its President Tamila Mertskhulava, participated in the international exhibition “ITF Slovakiatour 2019”, which was held in the capital of Slovakia, Bratislava from 24 to 27 January. The delegation also included the head of Tourism Department Inara Daurova, the head of External Relations and Investments Department Kama Tsvizhba and a specialist of Tourism Department Amina Ratsba.

The “ITF Slovakiatour” exhibition is one of the largest tourism exhibitions (the total number of exhibition space is 17,000 sq. m), an international travel fair in the field of tourism not only in Slovakia, but also in Europe. “ITF Slovakiatour” annually attracts tens of thousands of visitors.

This time, 20 countries took part in the exhibition together with Abkhazia, including some exotic ones. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Montenegro, China, Dominican Republic, Greece, Croatia, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Cuba, Hungary, Morocco, Poland, Austria, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia and Italy were presented with 350 colorfully decorated pavilions. The exhibited products offered travel and tourism, excursion and eco-tourism, fitness and sports, service, various tourist, hunting and hotel equipment, including kitchens and restaurants, dishes, linens, cosmetics, swimming pools, saunas and SPA, and much more.

The exhibition featured a huge amount of food typical for each region - wines, various types of cheeses, sausage and meat products. All this could not only be tasted or bought; there was a huge opportunity to negotiate and conclude supply contracts.

Any major exhibition is a kind of celebration. People come here not only to get acquainted with the products from different countries, but also to relax and buy something. It is worth noting that many countries not only offered their tourist products, but also arranged improvised performances - they sang folk songs, danced, played theatrical scenes.

In four days, 72,388 people visited “ITF Slovakiatour”.

As in all exhibitions held abroad, the Abkhaz pavilion was very popular. The Chamber took part in such event for the second time, but this time its exposition occupied 18 sq. m.

Abkhazia was represented by the Abkhaz products, traditional for such exhibitions. During the presentation, there was a wine and food products tasting.

-“We felt very comfortable at the exhibition. First, many people remembered Abkhazia after our first participation in “ITF Slovakiatour 2017” and even could show on the map where it is located, secondly, we brought brochures and booklets in English and Slovak language to Bratislava and they were helpful. Moreover, as it turned out, many people learned about Abkhazia during their visits to the Sochi Olympics in 2014 and the 2018 World Cup. Among the visitors to our pavilion, there were those who managed to make a one-day visit to our Republic, and they remembered Gagra, New Afon and Ritsa Lake with a great pleasure”,- stressed  Tamila Mertskhulava at a press conference, which was held at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry office.

She reported that on the very first day of the opening of “ITF Slovakiatour 2019” exhibition, the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Russian Federation in the Slovak Republic Alexey Fedotov and the Russian Trade Representative in Slovakia Ekaterina Belyakova visited the Abkhaz pavilion.

On the second day, Peter Mikhok-the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Slovak Republic, Josef Rajtar-Director of the Department for International Cooperation of the Slovakia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Juraj Maitan-Director of the Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Bratislava, Alexander Rosin -Director and the Board of Directors Chairman of “Incheba” came to the pavilion.

- All meetings and negotiations were official, held in a friendly and warm atmosphere. The distinguished guests expressed sincere condolences on the tragic death of the first President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Abkhazia Gennady L. Gaguliya, and assured us that in the future they will not only maintain relations with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Abkhazia, but also support it, if necessary, - emphasized Tamila Mertskhulava.

She also noted that all contacts with representatives of business circles of Slovakia, as, indeed, in other countries that the delegation of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry visited were established thanks to the connections and authority of Gennady Gaguliya.

With respect to participation in the exhibition, Tamila Mertskhulava noted that the Abkhaz pavilion generated a big rush .

“The visitors enjoyed tasting our products, but the adjinjikhua (traditional Abkhaz sweets made by grape juice and walnut) generated the greatest interest - many even asked how it could be prepared at home, adjika (traditional Abkhaz spices) and tea. It turns out that the tourists who visited Abkhazia during the Soviet times remembered it as a tea and adjika Republic and asked to sell it.

“Many were interested in whether it is possible to organize the export of Abkhaz products, including adjika, to Slovakia or to open a trading house of Abkhazia here,”-noted Ms. Mertskhulava.

Slovakia is a wine producing Republic, but after tasting, everyone praised the Abkhaz wine, including Slovak producers.

According to the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, presenting the Abkhaz products, it is too early to talk about contracts, so all the work of the Chamber is designed for the future.

- Our main goal is the popularization of Abkhazia and our products in the international arena. Thus, we assist our entrepreneurs with the entry of their products into the European market. We send the offers and information we receive at the exhibition to our manufacturers and distributors so that they have the opportunity to directly negotiate, as well as enter into contracts for export and import. They attach great importance to quality in Europe, and we want our citizens to have the opportunity to buy high-quality European products,”- emphasized Tamila Mertskhulava.

According to the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, they were asked questions about opening the airport and possibility to cancel the visa regime for foreign citizens.

- “In order to visit Abkhazia, foreign citizens have to make a double-entry Russian visa, as well as the Abkhaz visa. This hampers the development of international tourism in Abkhazia’, - believes Tamila Mertskhulava.

She noted that in connection with the participation of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Abkhazia in the exhibition, a protest note from the Georgian side was sent to the organizers of “ITF Slovakiatour 2019”. However, this did not prevent the participation of the Chamber in the exhibition.

According to Inara Daurova, representatives of the State TV of Slovakia, private television and radio companies, journalists of newspapers and magazines interviewed Tamila Mertskhulava. They were interested in everything: from politics and culture to traditions and national cuisine of Abkhazia.

Inara Daurova reported that Slovak tour operators showed great interest in Abkhazia. They were interested in visas, how to get to Sukhum or Gagra, the cost of hotels, the quality of service. Many have expressed their willingness to visit the Republic.

- For two years, major tour operators studied Abkhazia, and also conducted a survey, which showed that our Republic is very attractive to Europeans. We will convey their wishes to the leadership of the Abkhaz Tourism Union, so that they develop an interesting tour for our guests,”- said Inara Daurova.

- “Participation in exhibitions is preceded by a long negotiation process with its organizers, because Georgia intervenes everywhere and constantly interferes with our participation in exhibitions. But, despite the obstacles, we are doing everything to ensure that as many countries as possible learn about Abkhazia”, - noted the CCI president.

Tamila Mertskhulava stressed that participation in exhibitions is a very nervous and expensive “pleasure.”

- Many still think that we go abroad based on our private interests. In fact, the chamber promotes our Republic: we want it to be recognized, so that other countries recognize our flag and products,”- stressed the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

She recalled that in 2018 the Chamber took part in exhibitions and fairs held in the Czech Republic, Russia, Spain and Syria.

As for 2019 workplan, Tamila Mertskhulava has not announced them yet.

- “I don’t want to name the countries which the Chamber plans to visit. Our Georgian "friends" are watching us, so the information about participation in exhibitions will be announced as soon as our plans are implemented”,- said Tamila Mertskhulava, summing up the press conference.