On planned activities of the 3rd phase of the project

“Strategy for Socio-economic Development of Abkhazia until 2025″

The third phase of the “Strategy of socio-economic development of the Republic of Abkhazia 2025″ involves the development of a mechanism for implementing the optimal scenario of social and economic development of RA.

The strategy includes a number of workshops with the heads of ministries, departments, members of the Parliament of the Republic of Abkhazia, the heads of administrations of the districts, towns and villages, entrepreneurs, professionals and scientists.

The purpose of these meetings is to develop joint proposals and recommendations for the implementation of specific tasks of socio-cultural and economic development of the country, marked the second phase of work.

As a result of such coordinated action by employees of scientific and practical sphere, the provisions of the optimal scenario will be adapted and applied in practice. This will allow the relevant ministries and agencies to develop short-term industrial and regional development programs.

Workshops will be organized in the following areas:

1. The main directions of development of the national economy:

1.1. The main directions of development of priority sectors and the financial system of Abkhazia (22 May 2015)

1.2. The main directions of development of infrastructure industries RA (CSS, May 26 at 14:00)

2. The main directions of social and demographic policy of the RA (CSS, June 5 at 12:00)
3. The development of entrepreneurship and stimulation of investment activity in the Republic of Abkhazia (RA Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the House of Moscow, May 29 at 15:00.).
4. Health as a factor in the formation and development of human capital (CSS, June 3).
5. Education and science as a factor of social progress (at the Academy of Sciences of Abkhazia on June 2 at 10:00.).
6. Regional development of RA in the coming decade.
7. Culture as a factor of social development (CSS, May 26 at 10:00).

The need for the development and adoption of a state programme of socio-economic development of Abkhazia emerged immediately after the war and the establishment of an independent Abkhaz state. But then, during the post-war devastation, the international political isolation of Abkhazia and the constant military threat from Georgia, it was hard to think about it.

Only in connection with the recognition in 2008 of the state independence of Abkhazia by Russia and some other countries and the beginning of Russian assistance to the Republic, there is a real possibility of adoption of a state programme of development of the country. Moreover, the practice of designing for social development is widely used in Russia, which is our strategic partner. Even the Russian regions, almost all subjects of the Russian Federation, many of which collaborate on a contractual basis, have been guided by various development programmes.

However, despite all these realities, we kept on going our own way, sometimes, not knowing where we are going. The functions of the state all these years consisted only of implementation of “Comprehensive Plan”. Not having proven social benchmarks and criteria, it is difficult to assess the condition of the country and predict possible scenarios of development of events. The absence of a dominant consolidated opinion in society has become a serious obstacle for us.

But here, apparently, is not the time to talk about why we have failed so far to overcome the difficulties before us. Much more important to think how to get out of this situation in which we continue to be.

In this regard, an interesting initiative from the new leadership came. In November 2014 between the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Abkhazia and the Center for Strategic Studies under the President of Abkhazia, signed an agreement on developing a “Strategy for Socio-economic Development of Abkhazia until 2025″.

In accordance with the Contract a research team, which included renowned economists, ecologists, sociologists and other specialists of Abkhazia with serious publications on development topics, was formed.

To work on the project other experts will also be involved: representatives of the expert community, as well as specialists of ministries and departments, experienced employees of the administration of cities and districts of the Republic. In accordance with the agreement, the project must be completed within 6 months. For discussion and evaluation of the project implementation it is planned to hold a special “Economic forum” with the participation of a wide range of experts and stakeholders, including colleagues from Russia.

The final version of the project will consist of two parts: the “Scenarios for the Development of Abkhazia” and “Program for the Implementation of the Optimal Scenario for the Development of RA”. The “Report on the Integrated Analysis of the Socio-economic Situation in RA (2004-2013)” and “Analytical Report on the Results of Sociological Research” has been presented at a public meeting in January 2015.

This project is carried out by local specialists on the initiative and with financial support from the government of the Republic. Attempts to develop a national development project for long term did not give, as can be seen, the expected effect. Obviously, no one else can do for us what we must do for ourselves by ourselves.

The gap formed in the country over the last decade can now be filled. For this we have to perform more complex and responsible work. It can’t be done without the active support of all stakeholders, on which the author team is very hopeful.

The aim of the study is the creation of the primary database required for the development of the Strategy for socio-economic development of Abkhazia for the long term. To achieve this goal objectives of the study were identified and selected tools were used in conducting a country wide survey, processing and analysing the data of the sociological survey.

Role: Research Fellow, Culture and Geopolitics

Translator, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia

Education:

MA, Media and Communication Systems, Bilgi University, Istanbul, Turkey

PhD Candidate, International Relations, Kadir Has University, Istanbul, Turkey

Role: Research Fellow, Culture and Geopolitics Department

Education: PhD

Research Interests:

International Relations, Crossborder Relations, Ethnicity