Russian Federation’s Trade Mission in Abkhazia

Trade Representation of the Russian Federation in Abkhazia was established on December 10, 2010, following to the agreement between the Russian Federation and the de facto Republic of Abkhazia. The purpose of the Representation is to support bilateral trade-economic cooperation development. Effective August 20, 2022, the Russian Federation Representative in Abkhazia is Zalina Kobesova. She replaced Vladimir Nekrasov. The Representation has also employed consultant, specialist-expert and secretary.

Trade Representation is a state organization and is the part of the Russian Diplomatic Mission in Abkhazia. The Representation enjoys the rights of a legal entity and acts on behalf of the government of its country.

Main functions of Trade Representation are:

• Promote bilateral trade-economic connections development between Russia and Abkhazia.
• Protect Russia's interests in Abkhazia referring trade, also bilateral economic cooperation other issues.
• Coordinate Russian Representation activity and promote individuals and legal entities participation in international trade and industrial exhibitions.
• Facilitate trade, economic and scientific-technical cooperation between individuals and legal entities; establish direct economic connections, create joint ventures, ensure enterprise co-operation, promote investment activities and other possible forms of economic cooperation.

The basic documents for Abkhazia-Russia economic cooperation are the agreements  between the de facto Government of Abkhazia and the Government of Russia, agreement  on investments mutual protection and promotion, signed on October 9, 2009, and agreement on Trade of Goods, signed on May 28, 2012.

The priority for Trade Representation in bilateral economic relationship is to promote cooperation with Russian Regions. In this direction Abkhazia has signed cooperation agreements with the number of regions of the Russian Federation.

Trade Representation also provides consultations for Russian entrepreneurs on legal frameworks established in Abkhazia. Representation assists parties to find partners, disseminate information about Russian companies’ offers, prepare information directory on Abkhazia. One of the priority direction is project activity, including in innovative field.

The main partners of the Representation in Abkhazia are the de facto Ministry of Economy of Abkhazia and de facto Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Representation also cooperates with the Russian Business Support Center in Abkhazia - "Aidgilara" and with the association of Abkhazian Entrepreneurs.