On July 15, Russian Deputy Economic Development Minister Dmitry Volvach urged investors to consider opportunities in [the separatist] Abkhazia and South Ossetia at the Caucasus Investment Forum in Grozny. Both [de facto] republics are participating in the forum, and Volvach encouraged attendees to visit their booths and engage with their delegations.

"We are doing a lot together so that the investment potential and the industrial and economic growth of the states will increase, along with the entire Greater Caucasus, along with all of Russia," Volvach said.

He expressed confidence that many of the Forum participants would be interested in investing in these republics and assured investors of full support, including administrative, legal, organizational and, if necessary, financial assistance.