Abkhazian authorities treat anti-Turkish sanctions as chance for its economy

Russian sanctions against Turkey will not affect the economy of Abkhazia, but will boost local agriculture, said Shamil Adzimba, Deputy Prime Minister of the republic. For Abkhazian entrepreneurs, Turkish foodstuffs are more expensive than Russian ones; therefore, the Abkhazian market is focused on Russia, the wholesalers, interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot", have noted.

It was reported that on January 15, the Abkhazian authorities approved a list of restrictive measures against Turkey, thus supporting the sanctions earlier imposed on Turkey by Russia.

The complete list of Turkish goods banned for import to Abkhazia since March 1, 2016, includes all kinds of fish and fish products, said Shamil Adzimba. As for vegetables, sanctions will cover potatoes, tomatoes, onions, garlic, all kinds of cabbage, cucumbers, citrus, grapes, melons, watermelons, apples, pears, quinces, apricots, cherries, sweet cherries, peaches, nectarines and plums.

According to his story, almost all of these fruits and vegetables are grown in Abkhazia; therefore, the anti-Turkish sanctions "can be the starting point for the advance of local agriculture."

Timur Lakoba, an entrepreneur from Sukhumi, said that his cooperation with Turkish partners got complicated, when, as a result of the growth of the dollar rate, wholesale prices had doubled; he had to urgently switch over to the Russian market; and for a year already he is working with suppliers from Russia.

Along with that, he believes that sanctions will not lead to the complete closure of the Turkish market for residents of Abkhazia.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.