Sukhum – Agency
Caucasus – A group of British businessmen of Arabic origin was in Abkhazia last week to search for possible opportunities to do business there.
Nadhmi Auchi, who first set up the General Mediterranean Holding and later has begun presiding over the Anglo-Arabic Organization, and members of his immediate entourage met with Sergei Bagapsh, President of Abkhazia.
The meeting was largely about a conveyance of information from the president to the British businessmen both about the current political as well as economic side to Abkhazia and its chances to attract foreign investment.
Whereas Mr. Auchi expressed concern for trouble with the denial of international recognition to Abkhazia, he said this would not stop his group from investing in the country.
"My group has high hopes of making huge amounts of investment in this small, lovely country. General Mediterranean already has its investments in several other countries. It now seeks to include Abkhazia in its list of countries to pour money into. We are just strict with our principle that cooperation should bring out mutual benefit. Therefore, Abkhazia’s compliance with this principle would return it a tangible inflow of money."
Mr. Auchi also expressed willingness to make contacts with Arabs as well as Europeans in a bid to help Abkhazia earn international recognition.
Mr. Auchi also met with Parliament Speaker Nugzar Ashuba. Mr. Ashuba was pleased to meet with Mr. Auchi and his friends. "We will prioritize our national interests when we try attracting foreign investment. The British group was briefed about how our legal system works. And this group had also its evaluation of Abkhazia well before it came to the country."
Mr. Auchi is a billionaire who is the Chief Executive Officer of General Mediterranean, based in . His holding contains 100 companies across the world with business activities in several sectors, like media, holiday resorts, energy, etc. Mr. Auchi is also the owner of ANB, a London-based satellite television company. APN/ÖZ/FT
