According to Vladimir Nekrasov, the Trade “Representative” of Russia in Abkhazia, 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.

Nekrasov noted that “a common border, a common currency, a good legislative base” reduces export costs and facilitates bilateral cooperation. Abkhazia cooperates mostly with enterprises in the Krasnodar Krai. This can be explained by lower logistic costs. There is also an active trade turnover with Moscow, Stavropol, St. Petersburg, the republics of Tatarstan and Bashkortostan. In recent years, contacts have been established with the occupied Crimea.

Nekrasov noted that the Russian Trade Representation in Abkhazia has recently organized an online meeting with Crimean businessmen. The remote meeting was attended by 25 companies.

Speaking about the problems, Nekrasov mentioned a small Abkhazian market and double taxation of Abkhazian business - first in Abkhazia, then in Russia, which is due to the absence of an agreement on this issue.

As the Russian Trade “Representative” said many Russian investors are investing in projects in Abkhazia. However, creating a better investment environment, he said, requires a calm, non-criminal situation, clear investment legislation and a local administration that will attract  investors.