OREANDA-NEWS  The Minister of Economic Development of Russia Maxim Reshetnikov noted the positive dynamics in the development of the economy of Abkhazia.

"The economy of Abkhazia is growing, and today 58% of the budget is provided by the republic independently, the remaining 42% - subsidies from the budget of Russia," he said in an interview with reporters after a working visit to the republic.

The Minister called the main purpose of his visit to the republic a visit to "the main objects that Abkhazia is restoring with the support of Russia."

"These are mainly energy and utility infrastructure facilities. These objects are important both for residents of Abkhazia and for tourists," he said.

According to him, more than 1 million Russians rested in Abkhazia last year.

"I think this year's figures will be the same. Therefore, it is extremely important that there is a stable energy supply, there are normal treatment facilities. It is very important that the objects associated with solid waste work normally. This is a set of measures that the republic is implementing and building with the support of the Russian federal budget," Reshetnikov said.

He also noted that there are large electric power facilities in the republic that require additional investments, since these facilities are necessary for the functioning of the tourist infrastructure and for the operation of Sukhumi Airport, the reconstruction of which is planned for the coming years.

"The restoration of Sukhumi Airport is a super task that (the President of Abkhazia - IF) Aslan Bzhania and the Russian leadership have set before us in order to hold an open transparent competition to attract an investor in the near future. We discussed the importance of having a clear, understandable draft agreement with the obligations that the investor assumes, so that it is not just a promise, but that there are specific sanctions if not built on time. Now we are conducting this work with the Ministry of Economy and the leadership of Abkhazia, we will prescribe all these points in the coming weeks, and then the intergovernmental commission will look at it," he said.

Reshetnikov said that during the meeting with the leaders of the republic, he also discussed the issue of supporting local producers. He believes that Abkhazia has great opportunities for the production of building materials and the development of the food industry.

"First of all, we need to support local businesses. The economy cannot develop by focusing only on foreign investors. Local business should always be at the core," he said.