Foreigners in Abkhazia

I was just in Abkhazia this last week.  The number of Turkish businessmen and Turks of Abkhaz ancestry who are in Abkhazia is growing.  I was told there are about 100 living there now and in several cafes and restaurant, it is possible to watch Turkish television.  One place of business is selling tickets on Turkish Airlines.  They are not yet flying to Sukhum, but there is a lot of traffic through Sochi.  Of course, with Sukhum's much longer runway, it makes a great deal of sense to have flights in and out of Sukhum.  Sukhum is in an ideal position to be the hub for flights to and from Abkhazia and on to Central Asia and Russia.

Along with more Turkish citizens, there are more Turkish products being offered.  Right now there are a number of stores selling Turkish clothing as well as furniture and other consumer goods.  They are rushing to fill the void!