A new trade terminal has been launched in the Gali district.

Astamur Akhsalba, General Director of a transit logistics company in Abkhazia and head of the World Assembly of Peoples in Abkhazia, has spoken to Abkhaz media about a trade hub built in the Gali district and its significance. According to him, the project, implemented as part of Russian–Abkhaz cooperation, is nearly complete and is expected to become operational in the near future. He also stated that test shipments have already been carried out. The Georgian side, however, specifically Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, claims to have no information about the project.

According to Akhsalba, Abkhazia is restoring its function as a “historical hub,” and the terminal located in the Gali district will become an important part of a transit scheme between Russia and third countries.

He said the project had been kept confidential for years due to the complex geopolitical environment and Abkhazia’s proximity to Georgia. However, all necessary procedures for its implementation have now been completed, and full scale operations are expected to begin within a few months.

“We carried out test shipments through Abkhazia into the territory of the Russian Federation. There were shipments in the reverse direction as well, with cargo sent to Iran. All mechanisms are now in place,” Akhsalba said.

Infrastructure and logistics route

According to the head of the Abkhaz company, the new transit hub will connect the Gali district to the railway terminal in Ochamchire.

As Akhsalba explained, Abkhazia’s road infrastructure is not designed for large scale cargo turnover. For this reason, transit flows will be transported by rail from Gali to the Ochamchire terminal and from there sent to Russia, and vice versa.

He added that the current Gali terminal was built in 2011 under an agreement between Russian and Abkhaz customs authorities. However, due to security concerns, it had not been put into operation until now. Following the war in Ukraine, the terminal has become vitally important for Russia as what Akhsalba described as Abkhazia’s “strategic partner.”

Potential users and cargo routes

Akhsalba said intensive negotiations are underway with representatives of third countries interested in shorter transit routes to Russia’s southern regions. Potential users include Iran, India, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and others.

He also noted that interest may come from several European countries, but refrained from naming them.

Trade with Georgia

Akhsalba stated that the project does not envisage trade with Georgia and that the participation of Georgian citizens in the process will be prohibited.

“There can be no discussion of trade between Georgia and Abkhazia until the relevant documents are signed. Our company provides logistical services only,” he said.

Role of the World Assembly of Peoples

According to Akhsalba, the project is actively supported by Andrei Belyaninov, former head of the Russian Federal Customs Service, who has served as Secretary General of the World Assembly of Peoples since 2025.

He said the Assembly is facilitating not only the launch of the terminal but also broader economic cooperation.

How cargo turnover will function

The transit system, according to Akhsalba, will primarily serve consumer goods such as household appliances, vegetables, and other products.

For example, if cargo originates in Iran, an Iranian truck with a driver will enter Abkhazia. The cargo will be unloaded at the terminal in the Ochamchire district, after which it will continue by rail toward Russia.

Akhsalba also stated that although goods arriving from third countries will not be sold directly in Abkhaz shops, Abkhaz products may in the future reach external markets via the same route.

Georgia’s response

On December 10, responding to a journalist’s question, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said that “the Georgian side is not involved in the process.”

“As you know, we do not recognize the so called state border. This is speculation, and therefore, naturally, there can be no discussion on our part. I remind you that under the previous government, a specific agreement was signed on the basis of which the then authorities gave Russia consent to join the World Trade Organization. It was agreed that, through Swiss mediation, a mechanism for cargo transportation would be created. However, since then, this issue has been frozen, and no steps have been taken by our side in this direction. Accordingly, all of this is speculation,” Kobakhidze said.

“I repeat once again that no steps have been taken on our part. A general agreement exists, but there has been no activity in this regard. If there are any changes, you will of course be informed,” he added.

Public debate and expert commentary

Despite the fact that information about the construction of a terminal in Gali had circulated intermittently for years, the publication of photos several months ago showing a cargo terminal near the Enguri River sparked debate in Abkhaz society, particularly on Abkhaz Telegram channels.

“When you build a cargo terminal at the Enguri checkpoint and at the same time claim that these are our enemies, what kind of policy is this? Are you deceiving the people or yourselves? What is going on? Has Tbilisi recognized our independence without us knowing it?” Abkhaz users wrote at the time.

Former Georgian Minister for Reconciliation Paata Zakareishvili also commented to Netgazeti on the purpose of the terminal.

According to Zakareishvili, the large terminal built near the Enguri Bridge in the Gali district is part of a broader scheme. He believes that cargo enters from Turkey via Georgia and is then transported to Russia through Abkhaz territory.

“This terminal is linked to the airport. Cargo arrives, is repackaged, and part of it is transported to Russia by land, while shipments destined for more distant regions are sent by aircraft. Why was such a terminal not built, for example, in Gagra? Because the cargo flow enters precisely from the Gali side. Moreover, Abkhazia does not need a terminal of this scale at all. Most importantly, no one will be able to monitor what is happening in Abkhazia, and no international organization will be able to hold the Georgian side accountable for facilitating sanctions evasion by Russia, nor Russia itself, and especially not unrecognized Abkhazia. In my view, this is precisely the context in which the airport was restored,” Zakareishvili said.