Abkhazian entrepreneurs complain of poor state support

The delay in customs duties and taxes provided by the authorities is not enough to save businesses from bankruptcy, entrepreneurs of Abkhazia assert.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that since March 28, Abkhazia is under the state of emergency in connection with the threat of coronavirus spread.

Otar Inarba, an Abkhazian entrepreneur, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that he runs a residential and commercial real estate rental business in Gagra and Sukhumi; however, he lost all his tenants due to the ban on trade. "It's not easier for me from the state support that was announced – all the tenants have closed their stores. Accordingly, I've lost all my earnings," the entrepreneur has complained.

He emphasized that the state support is not enough for private entrepreneurs to survive the quarantine and not go bankrupt. "People are left without work, without money, but the state fails to promise financial help to them.

Nikolai Achba, the director of the company "Abkhazia Wines and Waters", told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that his company suspended work on March 30; all the employees were sent to paid vacations.

"The state cannot help entrepreneurs, because there is no money, the tax collection is suspended, and this is actually the country's only source of income. The state, on the contrary, is asking entrepreneurs for help," Mr Achba said. He believes that if the quarantine measures are prolonged, it will bring irreparable damage to the Abkhaz economy.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on April 16, 2020 at 07:42 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.