Russia is
lifting a seven-year ban on Borjomi, the popular Georgian mineral water
believed by many Russians to cure health ailments.Gennady
Onishchenko, Russia's chief sanitary official, has signed the paperwork
to allow the resumption of Borjomi imports, Itar-Tass reported Thursday.
"All restrictions have been lifted," Onishchenko said.
A
spokesman for IDS Borjomi Georgia, which produces Borjomi, told Izvestia
Thursday that his country was waiting for official permission from
Onishchenko's office.
IDS Borjomi Georgia is a subsidiary of Alfa Group.
Borjomi,
produced in the city of Borjomi in Georgia since the 19th century, was
the most popular mineral water brand in the former Soviet Union. It was
credited with treating ailments such as kidney problems.
Along with Borjomi, three other Georgian sparkling water producers will be allowed to export to Russia, Itar-Tass reported.
The
mineral water ban came amid political tensions between Russia and
Georgia in 2006 and was widely seen as a punishment meted out on
President Mikhel Saakashvili, a foe of the Kremlin.
Before
the ban, IDS Borjomi Georgia had a strong position on the Russian
market, with sales growing 30 percent annually. In 2005, the company
sold over 10 million bottles in Russia. IDS Borjomi Georgia reported $50
million in revenue for that period.
Russia,
which broke diplomatic relations with Georgia in 2008 after a short
military conflict, started to re-establish business ties with its
northern neighbor after Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili assumed power
last year.
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