Vladimir Nekrasov

Trade Representative of the Russian Federation in Abkhazia

Vladimir Nekrasov represents Russian Federation interests in Abkhazia in the direction of trade and other economic cooperation. He actively promotes deepening trade-economic relations between Russian Federal Subjects and Abkhazia and is active participant of Russian-Abkhazian business forums. He, together with the Russian “Ambassador“ in Abkhazia, has also to protect the rights of Russian entrepreneurs working in Abkhazia.

General Biographical Information  

• Vladimir Nekrasov was born on March 23, 1969, in the city of Tekeli, Kazakh SSR, USSR.
• From 1987 to 1989 he served in Soviet Army.
• In 1993 he graduated from Kemerovo State University, with the specialty of historian/teacher.
• In 1999 he graduated from Russian Customs Academy, with the specialty of Customs Manager; in 2004 graduated from the same Academy military course, specializing in European Law of International Law.
• In 2009 graduated from Moscow International Higher Business School (MIRBIS) and Kyrgyzstan-Russian Slavic University with the Master Degree in the specialty of State and Municipal Management.
• Nekrasov is Doctor of Juridical Science, Associate Professor, Master of Economics. He has published number of manuals, scientific and scientific-educational works.
• He has been granted the special title of Colonel of Customs Service and the class rank of Real State Advisor of the Russian Federation.

Professional Career

• Nekrasov career began in 1993 at Kuzbass Customs, where he occupied various positions from inspector to the head of department.
• In 1998-2003 he worked as Deputy Director at the Russian Customs Service Representation in Kazakhstan.
• In 2003 he moved to Moscow and occupied position of the Head of Customs Procedures Unification Department of Customs Union Affairs Unit at State Customs Committee.
• In 2005 was assigned on the position of the Head of Customs and Border Issues at the Organization of Eurasian Economic Community.
• In 2007 was assigned on the position of the Head of Russian Customs Service Representation in Kyrgyzstan, on December 2, 2010 – on the position of Trade Representative of Russia.
• In 2015-2017 was the First Deputy of the Head of Russian-Kyrgyzstan Development Fund.

Relationship with Abkhazia

• On March 18, 2017, at the Directive of the Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, Nekrasov was assigned on the position Trade Representative of the Russian Federation in the de facto republic of Abkhazia. Nekrasov substituted Yuri Aikin, whose service was ended at Medvedev’s Directive due to retirement age. In Abkhazia Aikin worked for 6 years. 
• On April 14, 2017, shortly after assignment in Abkhazia, Nekrasov met with Russian “Ambassador“ to Abkhazia Semyon Grigoryev. The meeting was held at the Russian “Embassy“ in Sukhumi. 
• On April 14, 2017, in Sukhumi, Nekrasov together with the de facto President of the Chamber of Trade and Industry of Abkhazia met with the Chamber of Trade and Industry Representatives of Udmurtia. The aim of the meeting was to introduce Economic and Tourist potential of Abkhazia to Russian Representatives.
• On April 20, 2017, Nekrasov met with Stanislav Apsava - Representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russian Federation in Abkhazia. During the meeting were discussed Russian Tradesmen’s rights protection and security issues in Abkhazia. 
• On May 24, 2017, Nekrasov met with the Director of Sukhumi Airport Vyacheslav Eshba. They discussed the Airport condition and its further development prospective. 
• On August 22, 2017, Nekrasov met with the de facto Deputy Prime Minister and the de facto Minister of Finance of Abkhazia Dmitri Serikov. At the meeting was discussed elimination of technical barriers for goods transportation within Russia-Abkhazia mutual trade cooperation. 
• On October 27, 2017, Nekrasov was active participant of the 8th Abkhazian-Russian Business Forum, held in Sukhumi. The Forum organizers were Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation and the de facto Ministry of Economics of Abkhazia. 
• On April 11, 2018, Nekrasov met with the de facto Minister of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia Daur Kove. Mutual Economic Relationship issue was discussed at the meeting. 
• On March 23, 2019, in village Dranda, Gulripshi District, Abkhazia, Health and Recreation Center “Rodniki“ was officially opened. The opening event was hosted by Nekrasov. The Center was solemnly opened by Russian “Ambassador“ to Abkhazia Alexey Dvinyanin and the Deputy Prime Minister of the de facto Republic of Abkhazia Astamur Ketsba. According to Nekrasov, insvestment project implementation started one year ago with the Russian State support and the Project is significant with its socio importance. The investment project for the construction of the Center was implemented the auspices of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation and the Trade Representation of the Russian Federation in Abkhazia, was funded by private Russian investments.
• On June 26, 2020,  Nekrasov met with Beslan Eshba, Head of the Sokhumi de facto Administration. Vladimir Tsoi, an expert on trade, also attended the meeting, where the issues of cooperation between Sokhumi and Russian companies were discussed.
• On September 23, 2020, the de facto Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture of Abkhazia, Beslan Jopua, hosted businessmen from the Stavropol Krai, the Russian Federation. Nekrasov also participated in the meeting. The main purpose of the visit was to develop economic relations between Abkhazia and the Stavropol region.
• On December 29, 2020, Nekrasov met with the de facto First Deputy Prime Minister of Abkhazia and the Minister of Agriculture, Beslan Jopua. The parties discussed the implementation of the November 12, 2020 program for the formation of a common social and economic space between the Russian Federation and Abkhazia.
• On March 13, 2021, the Ministry of Economic Development of the Stavropol Krai held the „Hour with Trade Representative” video conference. Nekrasov spoke with potential exporters from the Stavropol Krai about the specifics of entering the Abkhazian market.
• On April 1, 2021, a master class on the Development of Cooperation with South Ossetia and the Republic of Abkhazia: Export of Goods and Services was held as part of economic cooperation between the Tskhinvali region and Crimea. The remote meeting was organized by the Southern Regional Export Support Center of the Russian Federation with the assistance of the de facto Ministry of Economy of Crimea. The meeting was attended by “representatives” of the economic sector of Russia, Crimea, the Tskhinvali region and Abkhazia, including Nekrasov and other officials.
• In August 2022, Vladimir Nekrasov resigned the post of “his own accord.” He was replaced by Zalina Kobesova, who previously held various positions in the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Interviews

• On April 9, 2019, Nekrasov, in an interview with Russian news agency "Sputnik" spoke about Russian-Abkhazian economic relations. During the interview, Nekrasov focused on various important issues.
• On April 7, 2021, Nekrasov said in interview with “Sputnik”, that despite the pandemic, the volume of trade between Russia and Abkhazia amounted to RUB 19 billion 700 million in 2020, which is RUB 1.5 billion more than in 2019. As Nekrasov said, an increase in exports of Abkhazian products to Russia, including citrus, contribute to this growth.