Taking on Sukhum: trade turnover between Russia and Abkhazia has grown by 60% since 2020

The trade turnover between Russia and Abkhazia in 2024 increased by 60% compared to four years ago, Dmitry Volvach, Deputy Head of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, told Izvestia. Moscow is Sukhumi's key foreign economic partner, and together they strengthen investment and transport cooperation. The republic has already financed 10 projects in the fields of industry, agriculture and tourism. Thanks to these projects, about 600 new jobs will be created by the end of 2025, and the republic's budget will receive more than 680 million rubles in additional tax revenues. Regular flights will open on May 1, which will allow the republic to increase the already high level of tourism from the Russian Federation. About the development of economic relations between Russia and Abkhazia — in the material of Izvestia.

Economic relations between Russia and Abkhazia

The level of trade turnover between Russia and Abkhazia increased by almost 60% in 2024 compared to 2020. Moscow continues to actively cooperate with Sukhum in the socio-economic and investment spheres.

— The positive economic effect of our cooperation is eloquently evidenced by the growth of the main indicators of the economic development of Abkhazia. In 2024, the republic's GDP grew by more than 180% compared to 2020, the average monthly salary in economic sectors increased by about 103%, the republic's own budget revenues increased by 150%, and trade with Russia increased by almost 60%, Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Russia Dmitry Volvach told Izvestia..

Russian President Vladimir Putin and President of Abkhazia Badra Gunba, March 5, 2025

Photo: AP/Sergey Bobylev

Russia is Abkhazia's key trading partner. In 2023, our country accounted for 72% of the republic's foreign trade. Since 2024, Russian investment capital has been involved in the development of Abkhazia along with budgetary sources, Volvach notes.

— An important result of the Russian-Abkhaz investment cooperation can be considered the implementation of a program for crediting investment projects in the republic by Russian banks. To date, Abkhazia has funded 10 projects in the fields of industry, agriculture and tourism. By the end of 2025, with the commissioning of these projects, about 600 new jobs will be created, and the republic's budget will receive more than 680 million rubles in additional tax revenues," he said.

Abkhazia was taken off pause: Russian tourists have increased demand for holidays in the republic

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Energy canceled the recommendations not to visit it and not to sell tours there.

In the future, Abkhazia plans to implement investment projects with Russian participation on favorable terms for both sides, he stressed.

Cooperation between Russia and Abkhazia is not limited only to the economic sphere. Moscow annually helps the republic with electricity supplies. This issue is particularly acute for Abkhazia, as the republic experiences a shortage of electricity during the heating season due to outdated networks and a lack of its own capacities.

Photo: IZVESTIA/Konstantin Kokoshkin

The result of close diplomatic cooperation between Moscow and Sukhumi was the agreement on dual citizenship, which entered into force on April 25 and is aimed at regulating the legal status of persons who are simultaneously citizens of Abkhazia and the Russian Federation, and also includes provisions on a simplified procedure for obtaining Russian citizenship by citizens of the republic.

Abkhazia is interested in the widest possible cooperation with the Russian Federation, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic Oleg Bartsits said in late April. The diplomat noted that the comprehensive development of cooperation with Russia is an absolute priority for Abkhazia and its people. Moscow and Sukhum also plan to develop cooperation in the fields of energy, medicine and education.

Caucasus Hello: direct air service will stimulate growth of travel to Abkhazia

What else will change with the opening of Sukhum airport and how Russia helps its neighbor

Launch of direct flights between Russia and Abkhazia

Abkhazia is one of the most popular destinations for Russian travelers, according to the Association of Tour Operators, it ranks fifth after Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, China and Thailand. About 1.5 million Russian tourists visited the republic in 2024, and 1.4 million in 2023.

Starting from May 1, after 30 years, direct flights between the two countries will resume. Prior to that, a test flight from Moscow to Sukhum was made on February 7.

— In May of this year, the first regular flights from Russian cities will arrive in Abkhazia, — Dmitry Volvach confirmed the information.

The first flight to Sukhum from Vnukovo Airport will be operated by YUVT AERO Airline. According to the Ministry of Transport, the possibility of launching flights from Ufa on June 3, from Kazan on June 4, and from Nizhny Novgorod on May 6 is also being considered.

Photo: IZVESTIA/Alexander Kazakov

Sukhumi Airport, located 18 km from the capital, according to the decision of the International Civil Aviation Organization, has not been operating since 1993, since the end of the Georgian-Abkhazian war. And before the restoration of flights from Russia, Abkhazia could only be reached by land or water. At the same time, the airport's runway can accommodate almost all types of civilian aircraft. In 2023, the Russian company Infrastructural Development won the competition for its reconstruction.

"One of the largest Russian investors has started implementing a project to reconstruct the airport in Sukhum and restore direct flights between Russia and Abkhazia, within the framework of an intergovernmental investment agreement signed by the countries in 2023," Dmitry Volvach said.

Keep it to yourself: chains will be obligated to include at least 10% of regional products in the assortment

Will this measure support local producers and why is it difficult for them to get into supermarkets?

With the opening of direct flights, the Abkhaz authorities expect that the tourist flow from Russia will increase by 10-15%. According to the republic's ambassador to Moscow, Alkhas Kvitsinia, a "tourist boom" from Russia is expected in Abkhazia by the May holidays. He stressed that the authorities of the republic are doing everything possible to make the rest comfortable and safe for Russians.