01.11.2016

Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Abkhazia visited the Principality of Andorra, which signed a Memorandum of Understanding between CCI of RA and the Chamber of Commerce of Andorra.

The delegation of Abkhazia headed by the president of the CCI of RA Gennady Gaguliya. The delegation also included: Advisor of the President of CCI of RA Tamila Mertskhulava, Head of the Department of Tourism Inara Daurova and specialist of external relations and investment management Taniya Milana.

The meeting was the result of lengthy negotiations between the parties and as a result Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Abkhazia has been invited to Andorra on non-governmental level, as a non-profit organization, with a proposal to organize a presentation of the republic.

The meeting was held in the capital of the Principality of Andorra, Andorra la Vella, Andorra. It should be noted that the Chamber of Commerce of Andorra (CCIS) is a consultative government body responsible for providing a wide range of corporate services and counseling, as well as the protection of business interests in Andorra. Moreover, CCIS contains data on all registered companies in the state.

 "Andorra is a very interesting country for us in many ways. For 20 years, the Principality has become an economically prosperous region with the developed infrastructure. With a population of 85 470 people, it takes 8-9 million tourists a year. However, their service has been only 20 thousand people. We will be extremely useful to your rich experience to attract tourists. We have much to learn from you, "- said, anticipating the signing of a memorandum of understanding, the president of the CCI of RA Gennady Gaguliya.

He informed the Andorran counterparts that Abkhazia takes 1.5 to 2 million tourists a year and is a country with great potential for tourism development in its different directions. "We also have the mountains and in the future we intend to develop ski resort. We can also thrive at the expense of natural resources and infrastructure. Abkhazia has great prospects for development of tourism, "- said Gaguliya.

President of CCI of Abkhazia said that the aim of establishing cooperation is the desire to learn from the experience of Andorran nationals in the tourism business. "Our countries are similar in many ways, for example, we import, as you exceed exports, but for you it is a positive indicator of the country's development. Despite the fact that exports account for 0.5% of the total GDP of Andorra, the country is rapidly developing mainly due to tourism and that tourism makes the country attractive for investors. I believe that Abkhazia should pay attention to this fact and learn a lot from them, "stated Gennady Gaguliya.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of RA- Gennady Gaguliya and President of Chamber of Commerce of Andorra- Mark Pantebre.

After the signing of the Memorandum there was presentation of the Republic of Abkhazia. Our side presented a video about Abkhazia, which caused great interest among the participants of the meeting and the desire to witness our country. Then our delegation was introduced of movie about Andorra.

Then Gennady Gaguliya gave a press conference for journalists of leading mass media of Andorra, including state television. Participated in a meeting representatives of the Principality of economic circles were interested in investment opportunities in Abkhazia that we produce, the visa regime and how to reach us. Representatives of Andorra promised to visit Abkhazia on a return visit.

After the press conference, the meeting participants and journalists were invited to the Abkhaz buffet, to enjoy the gifts of Abkhazia - wine, chacha, cheese, adjika, honey, adzhindzhuh. It is worth mentioning that the Abkhazian wine has received very high praise.

"I am frankly surprised that you have a reminder on our state Catalan, that much important for the study of information about Abkhazia" - said a board member of the Andorran Chamber of Commerce, representing the tourism sector Chamber Patrick Toussaint.

Following the meeting, an exchange of gifts between the chambers.

We provide translation of the journalist of the newspaper article “ARAANDORRA”. "Memorandum on the development of tourism Understanding was signed on Tuesday between Chambers of Abkhazia and Andorra. This informative consent of the two countries, aimed at studying the development of the Andorran Chamber of Commerce and tourism in general.

 “It is surprising that many people know about Andorra more than we imagine,” - said Patrick Toussaint, representing the tourism sector Andorran Chamber.

President Gennady Gaguliya expressed satisfaction for the Principality started with the relationship, adding that the interest in the Principality of Andorra is linked to tourism management.

Gaguliya admitted that Andorra has attracted his attention as a small country, with a small number of inhabitants, which is visited by about 9 million tourists annually. Caucasian Republic receives more than 1.5 million tourists in the summer, mainly from Russia interested in beach tourism, because Abkhazia is located on the Black Sea coast. The country is located near Sochi, where the 2014 Winter Olympics took place.

This first contact with the delegation from Abkhazia for the Andorran Chamber and its representatives are counting on long-term cooperation”.