The President emphasized the strategic and allied nature of Abkhazia's relations with Russia, noting that the support of the Russian Federation creates great opportunities for the republic to ensure security and sustainable economic development.
According to Badra Gunba, an important component of this work is the development of direct relations with the Russian regions. Such cooperation opens up additional opportunities for economic development, attracting investments, implementing joint projects, and expanding business contacts.
The President noted that the Memorandum of Understanding signed on April 4 in Sukhum on the sidelines of the International Economic Forum between the Government of the Republic of Abkhazia and the Government of the Kaluga Oblast opens up new opportunities for expanding cooperation.
Badra Gunba noted that contacts with the Kaluga Oblast have become much more active and practical in recent years, and the governor's visit is another confirmation of this.
The Head of State noted the dynamic development of the Kaluga Oblast, high rates of industrial growth, significant results in agriculture, as well as the consistent development of investment potential, technology and the social sphere. According to the President, the experience of the Kaluga Oblast is of practical interest to Abkhazia, including in terms of creating conditions for economic development, supporting entrepreneurship and attracting investment.
The President drew attention to the fact that the relations between the parties are no longer limited to contacts at the leadership level. Today, ties between business circles are actively developing, joint projects are being discussed, and trade is growing.
Special attention was paid at the meeting to the prospects for expanding cooperation in the social and humanitarian spheres. Badra Gunba expressed interest in developing cooperation in the field of education, youth policy and culture, noting the importance of direct contacts between institutions and youth of Abkhazia and Kaluga Oblast.
The President expressed interest in translating the agreements reached into concrete projects, and confirmed the readiness of the Abkhazian side to create the necessary conditions and support promising initiatives.
The Governor of Kaluga Oblast Vladislav Shapsha congratulated Badra Gunba on his birthday, wished him health, success and expressed gratitude for the traditional cordiality and warm welcome on the Abkhaz soil.
The head of the Kaluga Oblast stressed that the Memorandum of Understanding signed earlier was already yielding concrete results: trade increased by 56%, and increased 3.5 times in the first quarter of this year.
Kaluga Oblast supplies food, paper products and household chemicals to the republic, while it is interested in importing Abkhazian agricultural products.
Vladislav Shapsha noted that the Kaluga Oblast is one of the leading industrial centers in Russia, where agriculture is at the same time a strategic priority. Dairy and meat farming, poultry farming, deep grain processing are actively developing in the region, as well as large greenhouse complexes and the production of glucose solutions for the hospital segment, which fully meet the needs of the market.
Speaking about specific investment examples of cooperation, the Governor noted the project to restore citrus orchards in Abkhazia, implemented by Sofia Biguaa, which the Kaluga region is ready to provide with a production site with the necessary infrastructure.
Vladislav Shapsha noted the successful participation of Kaluga representatives in the Russian-Abkhaz Youth Forum and the visit of the Abkhaz youth volleyball team to the competition in the Kaluga Oblast.
In the field of education, the Governor offered Abkhazian specialists to study at the new Federal Technopark of Vocational Education.