Sad News

Today on my trip down from the Russian border to Gagra, I was told by my driver about several new accidents that claimed the lives of young Abkhaz.  When I was here in December, there was a tragic accident after a celebration that claimed 3 lives.  That same weekend a young man fell from a tree and was fatally impaled on bamboo.  In a country with a small population and a lot of personal and familial connections these tragedies are felt by all.  

My experience with the roads in Abkhazia is not that they are particularly unsafe, the police keep the speeds low. But youth and alcohol frequently lead to tragedy in every country.

Media Attention

I recently was interviewed by a journalist who reports on the Caucasus.  The article about me and development in Abkhazia is to appear in a prestigious American magazine.  Yesterday I received another interview request and it appears there is growing international interest from journalists as well as investors.

Inside Abkhazia, I was interviewed on national television.  The program drew enough attention that it was aired several times.  Abkhazians are very interested in the new "languages" of finance and development.  Much of this is new information to them, but they can see the value in learning and integrating. I am to be interviewed again when I return next week to Abkhazia.

What exactly does this mean?  It is intriguing on two fronts.  First, I am finding journalistic interest in Abkhazia's potential is high.  Second, Abkhazia and the Abkhaz are clearly interested in the possibilities of development and how risk is assessed, managed and what forms investment may take.  The leaderships knows it has tremendous natural assets to leverage for the economic growth that will lift the country from the poverty many needlessly suffer in.

Espace Heliski trip to Abkhazia

I have posted several videos of helicopter ski and snowboard trips to Abkhazia.  However, this is one of the best yet.  Click on the image below and take a look at the video by the Swiss Company Espace Heliski

 

The terrain and images are spectacular!

Each year, there is more interest in the recreational resources that Abkhazia offers.  The mountains have opportunities for hiking, climbing and skiing.  The cave systems are the deepest known in the world.  There are villages, churches, an important monastery, the homes of Stalin and other historical architecture.  And the beaches and beautiful summer weather draw millions to Abkhazia's Black Sea coast.  These draw people.  The people draw investment.  I am being contacted regularly by journalists who want to write about Abkhazia, outsiders that want to visit and investors interested in participating in the growth that Abkhazia is on the cusp of.

More Heliboarding in Abkhazia

I have added more video of Rip Curl's heliboard trip to Abkhazia.  Please take a look at the video below.  This will give you some idea of the tremendous beauty and opportunities for recreation in the "Pearl of the Black Sea".

Christmas Summit, Krasnodar

Friday, December 10, 2010, I spoke at the Christmas Summit in Krasnodar.  The conference was sponsored by VTB Development and Delovaya Gazeta Yug, among others.  The main theme of the conference was on the results and trends in real estate development in Krasnodar Region during 2010.  I spoke to the attendees about the various methods of infrastructure finance in the United States and how that might be applied in Russia to address infrastructure needs in need developments and to solve the issue of urban blight in Krasnodar and other cities.  

Attendees at the conference included local officials, developers, bankers and journalists.  A video recording was made, also.  The master of ceremonies, Pavel Repin, gave awards to developers from the Krasnodar and Rostov Regions for quality of development in commercial and residential projects