The capital of the Republic of Abkhazia played host to the 9th Abkhazia—Russia Business Forum on 12 October 2018. The event, which was organized by the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Economy of Abkhazia with the support of the Roscongress Foundation, is aimed at developing business, economic and cultural ties between the two countries. The Forum was attended by high-profile speakers and approximately 400 participants, who discussed the possibility of expanding and deepening inter-regional contacts, the prospects for foreign economic activity and strengthening cooperation in various strategically important sectors.
The main event of the 9th Abkhazia—Russia Business Forum was the plenary session «Abkhazia—Russia: Ten Years of Intensive Cooperation, Current Achievements and New Horizons,» which summed up the results of this cooperation and outlined plans for joint activities moving forward.
«The annual Abkhazia—Russia Business Forum plays an important role in the development of economic relations between the Republic of Abkhazia and the Russian Federation and actively promotes the strengthening of allied relations and strategic partnership,» President of the Republic of Abkhazia Raul Khadzhimba noted in his welcome address, which was read out by the Head of the Presidential Administration Beslan Bartsits. «It is only through joint and well-organized work that we can achieve positive results and ensure that trade, economic and investment ties continue to grow. I am confident that by uniting our efforts, we will be able to deal with the challenges of the modern world.»
The head of the Russian delegation, Deputy Minister of North Caucasus Affairs of the Russian Federation Igor Koshin said that Russia would remain the guarantor of Abkhazia’s sovereignty and continue to provide financial assistance. At the same time, in order to ensure sustainable socio-economic development, Abkhazia needs to carry out effective legislative reforms, improve law enforcement practices, create a favourable investment climate and resolve issues related to infrastructure development and energy security.
«The Russian Federation, like an older brother, is creating opportunities for the development of the Republic of Abkhazia. We are extremely interested in unlocking the potential of this culturally rich country, with its supremely spiritual people and breath-taking landscapes. We have built a foundation over the past ten years, but now we have to press forward and pick up the pace,» Igor Koshin concluded.
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Abkhazia Alexey Dvinyanin and Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the Republic of Abkhazia Dzhansukh Nanba, as well as representatives of the business communities of the two countries also spoke at the plenary session.
The Forum continued with roundtable discussions «Foreign Economic Cooperation Between Abkhazia and Russia: Problems and Prospects,» «Cooperation and Interaction in Tourism: Ways to Improve the Quality of the Tourism Product,» «The Banking Sector as a Factor in the Growth of the Abkhaz Economy in the Context of Bilateral Cooperation» and «Cooperation in Information Technologies and Innovative Development,» as well as a meeting of the Russia—Abkhazia Business Council.
The participants in the roundtables discussed promising areas for expanding mutual trade between Russia and Abkhazia, supporting export as a priority area of government economic policy, the state strategy for the development of tourism in Abkhazia, the use of progressive experience and technologies in the banking sector, and the digital transformation of the country’s economy and social sector.
The event is traditionally organized by the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Economy of Abkhazia with the support of the Roscongress Foundation.
Photographs and press
material from the event are available at the link: https://goo.gl/9gmWdD.
