12.10.2018

The IX Russian-Abkhaz business forum was held in Sukhum, where topical issues of foreign economic cooperation between Russia and Abkhazia were discussed: expanding and deepening interregional contacts aimed at developing trade, economic and cultural relations between Russia and Abkhazia. Among the most important issues is the interaction of the two countries in the field of tourism, investment, information technology, infrastructure, energy. The event was organized by the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation together with the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Abkhazia with the support of the Roscongress Foundation.

The forum was attended by the Prime Minister of Abkhazia Valery Bganba, Minister of Economy of Abkhazia Adgur Ardzinba, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Abkhazia Alexey Dvinyanin, Deputy Minister of the Russian Federation for North Caucasus Affairs Igor Koshin, representatives of the administrations of the Presidents of Russia and Abkhazia. At the invitation of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Abkhazia, delegations of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, Union of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Rostov Region, Union of Taganrog Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, Union of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Sochi, representatives of Bashkir regional branch “Opora Rossii” and LLC " Confectionary "Mishkino" paid a visit to Abkhazia.

The results of 10 years Russian-Abkhaz cooperation were summed up, plans and prospects for further cooperation between our states were announced at the plenary session "Abkhazia-Russia: 10 years of intensive cooperation, current achievements and new horizons".

Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration Adgur Lushba read the welcoming address of the head of state Raul Khadzhimba to the forum participants.

“The annual Abkhaz-Russian business forum plays an important role in the development of economic relations between the Republic of Abkhazia and the Russian Federation and, in general, actively contributes to the strengthening of relations and strategic partnership between our countries.  I am confident that during a constructive, substantive dialogue, the Forum participants will be able to exchange views and experience, identify existing problems, and lay a solid foundation for the implementation of new joint initiatives and projects that meet modern requirements.

We are ready to work together and implement mutually beneficial projects, which would serve as an additional impetus for deeper integration of the economic relations between Abkhazia and Russia. Only joint, well-built work will yield positive results and will be able to ensure the growth of our trade, economic and investment relations”,- says the presidential greeting to the participants of the Forum.

The Ambassador of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Abkhazia Alexei Dvinyanin, also expressed confidence that the forum "will have a beneficial effect on the dynamics of development of Russian-Abkhaz relations and will contribute to the realization of the great potential of bilateral cooperation. I expect that the proposals and recommendations that will be developed in the course of today's forum will be a good platform and an effective tool in strengthening bilateral ties, as well as filled with new projects, causing promising points of growth of our countries' trade and economic relations ”,- emphasized the Russian diplomat.

Presentations were made by the head of the Russian delegation, the Deputy Minister of the Russian Federation for North Caucasus Igor Koshin, Minister of Economy of RA Adgur Ardzinba, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Jansuh Nanba, Chairman of the Russian-Abkhaz Business Council Andrei Sergeyev and others.

Within the framework of the IX Abkhaz-Russian Business Forum, a national competition was held in the field of business activity. The event was organized by the Ministry of Economy and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Abkhazia. By voting, the jury determined the winner in each of the eight nominations. The jury consisted of heads of ministries - the economy, taxes and fees, agriculture, resorts and tourism, as well as the State Investment Agency at the Ministry of Economy and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Abkhazia.

The winner in the nomination “The best manufacturer-exporter of industrial products” is LLC “Khamsa”, Director-General Anatoly Ashuba.

The company was established in 2007, when there was not a single industrial fish processing plant in Abkhazia. This is a joint Abkhaz-Turkish enterprise with environmentally friendly production, whose capacity is more than 300 tons of fish per day. The plant is equipped with modern foreign equipment made in Germany and Turkey. LLC “Khamsa” is a budget-forming enterprise in Ochamchira District, the winner of gold medals at the “Golden Autumn” Moscow exhibition in 2014-2015. Member of the Chamber of Commerce since 2011.

The winner in the nomination “The best enterprise in the sphere of (wholesale and retail) trade”, is the Trading Company “Premium”, Director-General Astamur Gaguliya.

Premium Company is the exclusive distributor of a number of well-known trademarks, such as “Wines and Beverages of Abkhazia”, “Coca-Cola”, “Ferrero”, “Miratorg”, “Mistral” etc. In the market of Abkhazia - 12 years.

The staff represents110 people, three branches are opened in Gagra, Gudauta and Sukhum and the “Premium-market” shopping center. In the near future, it is planned to launch two more projects focused on social and economic development.

“Premium” is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Abkhazia since 2006. It is included in the register of reliable partners and in the top five largest taxpayers in the country. In addition to the main activity, the trading company is actively involved in charity.

The winner in the nomination “The best accommodation facility of the resort and tourism sector” is LLC “Wellness Park Hotel Gagra”, CEO John Khutaba.

This is a modern hotel located in Gagra city, offering guests a high-level service on "all inclusive" system. It is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Abkhazia since 2016.

The winner in the nomination “The Best Enterprise in the Agricultural Sector” is LLC “Kyndyg-Agro”, Director-General Alik Kogonia.

This is an integrated enterprise for the production, sorting, packaging, storage and delivery of agricultural products to the final consumer. The production capacity of the enterprise is up to 2.5 tons of finished products annually. The project is focused on socio-economic development and import substitution, contributes to the output of the enterprise’s products on the Russian market and thereby expands the export potential of Abkhazia.

Due to tax deductions, the company not only contributes to the republican budget, but also contributes to the development of the infrastructure of the Eastern part of Abkhazia.

The winner in the nomination “Breakthrough of the Year” is LLC “United Processing Complex”, CEO Akhra Chkadua.

The company specializes in the development of deposits and the extraction of inert materials. The “United Processing Complex”  has been operating in the Abkhaz market for five years. Under an agreement signed within the framework of the VIII Abkhaz-Russian Business Forum 2017, the company began to supply inert materials from Abkhazia to the Russian Federation.

The winner in the nomination “The Best Catering Enterprise” is “Erzatsu” restaurant, director Irina Zarkua. This object is very popular not only among residents of the capital, but also among its guests. There are constantly held various celebrations and the price of the services provided corresponds to the quality, you can find here the tasty food and festive atmosphere for customers. It is a member of the CCI of RA since 2011.

The winner in the nomination “The Best Abkhaz-Russian Business” is the mobile operator “A-Mobile”, Director General Boris Bartsits.

Over 12 years of its existence, the company has become an innovator in many areas of the telecommunications industry of the Republic. Its offices are open in all cities and districts of the Republic. A-Mobile is one of the main and largest employers and taxpayers of Abkhazia. The company is an active participant in social and charity projects. It is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Abkhazia since 2010.

The winner in the nomination “Social Responsibility and Charitable Activities of Large Business” is LLC “Wines and Beverages of Abkhazia”, Director-General Nikolay Achba.

This is the largest Abkhaz wine exporter to the Russian market, winner of numerous awards of various international competitions and exhibitions, the production volume of which is up to 25 million bottles per year. Moreover, it is the main taxpayer of the country; it is included to the register of reliable partners since 2014.

For the abovementioned enterprise, charity has become the norm of existence. It takes an active part in various charitable projects, provides serious material support to low-income citizens. It is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Abkhazia since 2002.

All winners of the national competition are awarded with diplomas and medals of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Abkhazia.

The President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tamila Mertskhulava said that the initiative to hold the abovementioned competition belongs to the former Prime Minister of the Republic of Abkhazia Gennady L. Gaguliya. Over the years, being the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Abkhazia he was appealing to the government with the proposal to consider the possibility of holding a national competition. Last year, together with the Ministry of Economy, within the framework of the VIII Abkhaz-Russian Forum, we managed to hold the first trial competition.

“Taking into account the main tasks set by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry to protect the rights of entrepreneurs; the aim of the competition is not only promoting the development of the Abkhaz economy, but first of all creating favorable conditions for development of entrepreneurship in the Republic”,- said the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Abkhazia Tamila Mertskhulava.

Preparation for the competition was carried out throughout September: all the contestants were sent special questionnaires, which were drafted by the CCI of RA in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy, and taking into account the fact that the organization works closely with entrepreneurs, many of whom are members of the chamber, it was easy to work with them.

She stressed that preparation for the competition was carried out throughout September: all the contestants were sent special questionnaires, which were drafted by the CCI of RA in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy, and taking into account the fact that the organization works closely with entrepreneurs, many of whom are members of the chamber, it was easy to work with them.

- 85% of the contestants are members of the CCI. At the same time, many of them are included in the register of reliable partners, and this is a very important and significant factor for us,-stated Tamila Mertskhulava.

She noted that in comparison with previous year, the list of participants was extended - 60 applications were submitted for participation in the competition. After the meeting, the organizing committee selected 23 contestants, three or four enterprises for different nominations.

Tamila Mertskhulava stressed that each nomination has its own specific selection criteria.

First of all, it focuses on the contribution to the creation of the state budget, on the volume of services provided to them, taking into account the transparency of running a business, the level of wages, the number of jobs and etc.

Regarding the competition awards, according to the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Abkhazia, “the attention from the state is more important than a material reward”.

“All enterprises that participate in the competition and those that did not reach the final were created in different economic conditions, independently or with the support of the state. But, despite the difficulties, they are functioning now, developing, expanding and the number of enterprises is increasing every year. Therefore, the main goal we pursue by holding this competition is primarily to draw attention to local entrepreneurs who make a serious contribution to the development of the economy of the Republic”,- emphasized Tamila Mertskhulava.

She stressed that the winners of the competition will be announced within the framework of the IX Abkhaz-Russian Business Forum.

- I hope that the competition will become a kind of motivation and encouragement for entrepreneurs. And taking into account the fact that foreign partners, including CCI colleagues from different Russian regions will take part in the business forum, it will also be a good promotions for us,-said Tamila Mertskhulava.

After the break, the forum participants continued their work at the round tables: “Foreign economic cooperation between Abkhazia and Russia. Problems and prospects”,“ Cooperation and interaction in the field of tourism. Ways to improve the quality of the tourist product "," The banking sector as a factor in the growth of the economy of Abkhazia in the context of bilateral cooperation "and" Cooperation in the field of information technology and innovative development "and a meeting of the Russian-Abkhaz business council.

The roundtable participants discussed issues such as promising areas of expansion of mutual trade between Russia and Abkhazia, export support as a priority of state economic policy, the state strategy of developing tourism in Abkhazia, the use of progressive experience and technologies in the banking sector, digital transformation of the economy and social sphere of the Republic.