The purpose of the business mission is to optimize cooperation between the parties, develop integration processes, exchange experience, familiarize themselves with the practice of doing business with Abkhazia and the specifics of entering markets, B2B ("business-to-business") meetings with potential partners, visits to specialized enterprises, as well as presentation of companies and business proposals to the Abkhaz party.

There was hosted a meeting of the leadership of the Abkhazian Chamber of Commerce and Industry with representatives of the delegation from the KCR  within the framework of the visit.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry has selected enterprises that are of greatest interest to colleagues from the KCR.

President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tamila Mertskhulava stressed that the Abkhaz side is ready to develop friendly and business relations with the business community of the KCR.

“Your visit to the fraternal republic is an opportunity not only to see each other, exchange experiences, make proposals, consult, check what we are doing, but also learn what we have not yet managed to do at home,” Tamila Mertskhulava said.

She recalled that the past year and a half have been very difficult for everyone due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Business and investments need calmness and political stability, which is what we are striving for today. The resort component pulls the development of other sectors of the economy in Abkhazia like a locomotive. We must find joint recipes for economic development that will help to implement the planned projects, ” President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry emphasized.

She noted that during the pandemic, prices for Russian essential goods, as well as building materials and fuel have significantly increased. This trend is worldwide, associated with the closure of borders, lockdowns, work interruptions, broken ties and many others.

Most of the goods imported to Abkhazia come from Russia. Trade turnover with Russia in 2020 amounted to more than 250 USD million. For the first half of 2021 more than $ 113 million.

“Russia is our main trade partner. Comprehensive assistance to Abkhazia from the Russian Federation in the fight against the pandemic, financial assistance in investment program implementation, educational, cultural and humanitarian projects only confirm this, " Tamila Mertskhulava stated.

She drew attention to the fact that many Abkhaz entrepreneurs who carry out direct deliveries from foreign countries on a distribution basis are now forced to work through branches, representative offices, or even break contracts and conclude new ones.

According to Mertskhulava, the trade turnover between Abkhazia and the North Caucasus Federal District in the first half of 2021 amounted to 1.5 USD million. But all this is mainly due to imports.

As for the trade turnover with the KCR, it amounted more than 150 thousand dollars in 2020, in the first half of 2021 - 74 thousand dollars.

President of the CCI stressed that the RA CCI developed individual programs for all participants of the business mission in order to optimize cooperation with Karachay-Cherkessia. It is planned to get acquainted with the practice of doing business in Abkhazia, B2B meetings with potential partners, the opportunity to visit specialized enterprises, as well as to present the company and business proposals to the Abkhaz party.

Special attention will be paid not only to development of bilateral exports of goods, but also to tourism - historical, cultural, rehabilitation and other types of it.

Visits to enterprises by guests from Karachay-Cherkessia are planned throughout the working week.

In turn, Diana Khubieva, President of the KCR CCI thanked the leadership of the RA CCI for the warm welcome, noted the beautiful nature and hospitality of Abkhazia. She expressed her readiness to implement joint projects, and also introduced the members of the arrived delegation and gave them the floor.

Members of the KCR delegation expressed gratitude for the reception, told about the activities of their organizations and enterprises and expressed their readiness to cooperate with Abkhazia.

The KCR delegation includes: Director of the Center "My Business" Artur Yezaov, Head of the Export Support Center Ramazan Kurdzhiev, Director of the Guarantee Fund for the Support of Entrepreneurship of the KCR Aslan Knukhov, Director of the Autonomous Institution of the KCR "Microcredit Company" Rasul Suyunchev, Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the KCR Albert Gataev, Advisor to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Daria Yarovchuk, as well as entrepreneurs: director of LLC "Mindal" Kazimir Gediev, individual entrepreneur Rustam Aybazov, director of SPSSPK "Yasny" Ruslan Aybazov, director of LLC "KPRG" Aslan Khartsyzov and sales manager of LLC "Dadym" Yan Davydov.

Following the meeting, the leaders of the two chambers renegotiated an agreement on cooperation between the chambers of commerce and industry of Abkhazia and the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, and also exchanged memorable gifts.