“We need to learn to work in a new way. We need to learn how to make a product that will be in demand here, on the territory of Abkhazia and on the large Russian market. This can be done thanks to the efforts of the leadership of Abkhazia, the efforts of the country's population and the efforts of the Russian Federation. We are dealing with these issues. I visit the Russian Federation very often. We will pay special attention to the economic development of the republic, ” Aslan Bzhania said.
He recalled that now the country is taking first steps to implement a number of large projects that require a lot of time and special knowledge that we did not have. He cited the airport project as an example.
According to president, it is necessary to develop both agriculture and tourism in Tkuarchal region and attract investments in a targeted manner. For example, the coal industry needs to be restored. He noted that there are potential investors interested in this industry.
“I think it will take several months to understand whether we will be able to take these steps or not,” Bzhania said.
President also promised that more infrastructure facilities of the Tkuarchal region will be included in the Investment Program for 2023 - 2025.
“We will renovate the section of the road that leads to the waterfall to increase the tourist flow. You know, tourist objects are being built on the seashore in Eastern Abkhazia. We will build more. Tourists will come here. At the first stage, we will lay funds for the road to the lake in your area. This will also give a serious impetus to the development of the region, ” the head of state said.
The budget of Tkuarchal district this year amounted to 218 million rubles, of which its own revenue side is only 21 million rubles, the rest is money from the republican budget. At the same time, the per capita budgetary capacity in the Tkuarchal region is higher than in Gal, Ochamchira and Sukhum regions and amounts to 13 thousand rubles per inhabitant.
“Of course, this is not enough, but we will help the district with implementation of infrastructure projects,” Bzhania said.
President addressed the residents of Tkuarchal and noted that it is necessary to use the available resources of the region to the maximum. There is an unfinished hydroelectric station, which will need to be completed, which means it is necessary to attract investments. President called the "gold reserve" land resources that no one uses.
“It is us who can afford to have such lands and allow them to be overgrown with weeds, not to work to improve the welfare of the population. Rent, invite investors as partners. Let's develop the economy. We will provide concessional lending, ” Bzhania said.
He also named providing the population with energy resources as a key problem in the country.
“We have to carry out a large-scale reconstruction of our networks and the entire energy system. Today we are using what was done in the Soviet Union. Capital, there has not been made significant investments in the energy sector, recently there was no place to get money. We are working below the break-even point, unable to collect payment even with a tariff of 40 kopecks, although life has gone far ahead. We face such complex economic issues. We must resolve all these issues in the next 3-5 years. " - said Aslan Bzhania. He stressed that it is necessary "to fundamentally reverse the economic situation."
“I don't doubt for a second that we will get it all right. Someone will need to moderate their appetites and remember that there are people who are malnourished. In April and October, specialists from Russia conducted a poll twice. 9% of our population consider the problem number 1 - providing families with food. And those who against this background have several cars and do not pay for the light, do not look good, ” Bzhania said.
He also noted that this year has been a successful tourist season. Even in Tkuarchal region, 50% more tourists came to those small objects that exist here.
“As soon as we build a road (to the waterfalls), we start designing another road (to the lake), there will be a different story. Eastern Abkhazia will rise, because there is a huge number of monuments of Christian culture. There are few such monuments as the cathedral in Myku and the Bedia temple in the whole world. We have no one to count on in this regard, except ourselves and the fraternal Russian Federation. I am reproached for often talking about investments. I will speak because there will not be a lot of free money. Yes, Russia is helping us, helping our budget. We have an Investment Program for 1 billion 350 million a year, and we need 10 billion a year in order to resolve issues with water supply, sewerage, and road construction. We can attract such money only at the expense of investors who will implement projects and replenish our treasury, ” President stressed.
As an example he cited a tourist site in Tamysh village, where 180 people work in the summer season and receive high wages.
“And all this was done by one Russian investor. There are market relations in the world today, it simply will not be otherwise. If we do not build relationships with potential investors in this way, there will be no economic future, which means that our sovereignty will not be filled with economic content. Therefore, we are carrying out a program related to harmonization of our legislation (Abkhazia and Russia). We have launched the integration processes long ago spelled out in the agreement, despite the fact that we maintain the level of sovereignty that we have and remain an independent state, ” President said.
He also gave his opinion on the sale of real estate.
“We need to get to the point that the citizens of the Russian Federation have the right to buy real estate here. It should not be related to acquiring political rights or citizenship. This is the economic aspect. We need people here, we need specialists who will work, who will come and go, people for whom our manufacturer will work, for whom he will grow products, ” Bzhania said.