Alexander Novak holds a working meeting with Badra Gunba
Alexander Novak holds a working meeting with Badra Gunba
Alexander Novak holds a working meeting with Badra Gunba
Alexander Novak holds a working meeting with Badra Gunba
Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak held a working meeting with prominent political figure of the Republic of Abkhazia Badra Gunba.
The participants discussed electricity supplies from Russia to Abkhazia and social and investment support of the republic, including incentives for promoting small- and medium-sized businesses.
According to Badra Gunba, the Republic of Abkhazia is experiencing electricity shortages due to inadequate own generation. “In December, I reached out to the leadership of the Russian Federation asking to support the republic and to create a humanitarian power flow to ensure the country’s energy security,” Badra Gunba said. “We were provided with a humanitarian flow, but, unfortunately, it is coming to an end. Considering the difficulties that we may face down the line, please help us get more power coming to the Republic of Abkhazia.”
“Russia has a stake in expanding relations with its southern neighbour, the Republic of Abkhazia,” Alexander Novak said. “We are aware of the state of affairs with energy supplies during the winter. Considering growing energy consumption to cover the socioeconomic needs, we understand the importance of providing extra power supplies. Currently, the Republic of Abkhazia faces rolling power cuts, even despite the volumes that Russia has been providing at your request since December 2024. In order to help households, social institutions and manufacturing enterprises meet their needs, we will find a solution and make available sufficient supplies of electricity starting tomorrow in order to avoid rolling power cuts. In the future, we will strive to put in place mechanisms to ensure reliable and uninterrupted functioning of the country’s energy sector, and its further growth.”
Badra Gunba noted that Abkhazia was looking forward to attracting investment in its economy and hopes to see investment agreements with Russia revised.
“I agree that this investment agreement has no chance of being implemented in its present form,” Alexander Novak said. “We should create proper conditions for implementing investment projects based on the Russian businesses’ opinions and experience. We will count on their funding the efforts to implement our agreements. We will certainly ensure a balance and mutual consideration of the best interests of all parties, including the Abkhazian people and businesses.”
The parties agreed to adjust the state support measures and mechanisms provided by the Russian Federation for Abkhazian investment projects based on the existing practice of interaction with small- and medium-sized businesses in the Republic of Abkhazia. They will be taken into account when drafting the 2026–2030 state programme for socioeconomic development of Abkhazia. Alexander Novak also said Russia was ready to consider, at the request of the Abkhazian side, the idea of creating a foundation for implementing small- and medium-sized business projects in Abkhazia.
Already today, Russian financial assistance goes to reimburse Abkhazian small- and medium-sized businesses for a portion of the costs incurred in purchasing equipment and agricultural machinery, and a portion of the interest rate payments under investment project loans.
