AJARA BUSINESS WEEK #14

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BUSINESS WEEK November 9, 2015 #14

November 9, 2015, Issue 14

AJARA1

Partner News Agency ajara business week WWW.ABW.GE

BE INFORMED, DO BUSINESS IN AJARA

Nana Gurgenidze – AGL is interested in the development of the region where the Shuakhevi HPP cascade is being built Pg. 5

Osman Mzhavanadze

AJARA AUTONOMOUS REPUBLICAN BUDGET FOR 2016

Pg. 3

LIVO ATTENDS KAZFOOD 2015 THERMOINDUSTRY INTERNATIONALEXHIBITIONINASTANA HOLDSOFFICIAL PRESENTATIONOF SHOWROOM IN BATUMI

LIVO, a natural juices company, has taken part in the KazFood 2015 international exhibition in Astana, Kazakhstan. Besides LIVO, the Sales Management Company also introduced Datunia honey product from Machakhela and Maradidi tea product.

Goga Samushia, the Sales Management Company director, noted natural juices are very interesting products in Kazakhstan and negotiations are underway with several distribution companies.

The KazFood 2015 exhibition was held from October 21 to October 26, where companies from about 50 countries introduced their productys.

The event was organized by ExpoDamu company.

Founded by the Sales Management Company

three years ago, LIVO produces natural juices in the Citro plant in the Ajara Region. The plant was created as part of the Millennium Challenge program. Juices are produced from citrus and fruit raw materials through a direct squeezing method to maximally preserve useful characteristics, aroma and taste of fruits.

LIVO juices are free of genetically modified bodies, a laboratory tests by Quality Lab suggest.

LIVO juices have won a golden medal at the WorldFood Ukraine 2014 taste contest in Kyiv, Ukraine. At this stage, besides Georgia, LIVO juices are sold in Estonia and Russia. Negotiations are underway with a Swedish company about exports of LIVO products to Sweden.

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ThermoIndustry company has held an official presentation of a new sales office in Batumi. The store offers heating, conditioning and water supply systems with all necessary accessories. The company launched operation in the Georgian market in 2012 and currently the company represents the world’s 20 leading heating system brands in Georgia. The new office plans to introduce interesting campaigns and innovative products. In the future, the company plans to expand the network.

ThermoIndustry trades in about 800 various products. The company operates as an exclusive partner of Italian brand ItalTherm. As a result, ThermoIndustry offers ItalTherm heating boilers at exclusive prices.

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– Benefits Ajara Receives from Agro Batumi 2015 Exhibition and Sales

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CitrusHeadquarters opened in Ajara Minister of Agriculture of Ajara Otar danelia together with the Chairman of Ajara AR Government Archil Khabadze and the Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Ajara Ioseb Abuladze opened a headquarters in Batumi that will help organized collecting of tangerine in processing plants.

Archil Khabadze and Otar Danelia visited another sorting-packing plant ‘Agroinvestservice’ Ltd, that is equipped with modern technic lines. The plant will be able to receive, sort and package 150 tons of citrus per day. Citrus will be packaged in 15 kg capacity pallets bound boxes.

The company also has a refrigeration business, where it is possible to save 500 tons of different types of fruit and vegetables. The plant will process more than 5000 tons of citrus this year, that will be exported to Ukraine, Belarus and Baltic markets. 70 people are employed in the enterprise.

MAIN EVENTS

2 MAIN EVENTS

Georgia Becomes a Member of Large Freight Transportation Project Georgia joins to Trans-Caspian international transport consortium, which envisages transportation of Chinese maritime cargo by Georgian Railway.

The parties hold a meeting to sign the foundation documents (China, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia) in Chongqing, which will be also attended by the largest shipping companies.

The consortium aims to attract transiting cargo from China to Turkey and Europe via Georgian corridor.

According to Levan Sulaberidze, director of “Trans-Caucasus Terminal”, the matter concerns to the offering of alternative route instead of the so called “Northern Route”, especially for cargo which should be transported in Turkey. The offer envisages creation of attractive package for shipping companies, which means time reduction and special price offer. This will be the 1st biggest project of Silk Road restoration.

EBRD: Modest Economic Growth to be Sustained in Georgia European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) predicts economic growth in the countries of Caucasus despite the external economic challenges.

According to the EBRD’s latest economic outlook Countries in the Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia) continue to be influenced by the regional economic and security challenges.

European Bank predicts that Georgia is expected to sustain modest economic growth in 2015-16.

The EBRD expects that growth in Georgia will moderate to +2.5 per cent in 2015 and keeps its modest growth forecast of +2.6 per cent for 2016.

Annual Inflation Increased Up to 5,8% According to “Sakstat”, inflation level has amounted to 0,8% in October comparing to previous month. Annual inflation is 5,8%, while average inflation level – 3,5%. However, consumer prices have not been increased significantly through the last month. Food staff and alcohol beverages are grown in prices by 0,9%.

Costs are increased on dairy products and eggs – by 3,3%, vegetables and greens – by 6,5%, while prices are declined by 9,2% on grape and fruit.

Price increase are continued in the Ministry of healthcare and totally, growth of 2% has been fixed. At that, costs are increased by 6,7% on pharmaceutical products.

Prices on the service in hotels, cafes and restaurants are grown by 2%.

As for the annual inflation, food staff and nonalcohol beverages are grown by 4,1% comparing October, 2014.

Fruit and grape is increased by 22,2%, fats – by 15,6%, coffee, tea and cocoa – by 10,4%; Prices are increased by 11,1% in the healthcare segment, at that prices are increased by 27,4% on pharmaceutical products.

November 9, 2015 #14

ajara business week

92ND ANNIVERSARY OF TURKEY CELEBRATED

chairman of ajara ar government archil khabadze attended the event dedicated to the 92ndanniversary of republic of turkey in hotel leogrand. the reception was also attended by government officials.

„I would like to congratulate on this day! I wish success to all the citizens of the Republic of Turkey. 92 years have passed since the establishment of the Republic of Turkey. During this period, the country has developed at a rapid pace and it is now economically strong and prosperous country. I am confident that the friendship and cooperation between our countries will continue successfully and develop,“ – Chairman of Ajara AR Government said.

AJARA GOVERNMENT INTENSIFIES INVESTMENT POLICY

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he government of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara plans to increase expenditures by 9% to draw more investments to the Region. The Finance and Economy Ministry of Ajara explains that the government will spend 295 000 GEL on promoting the region’s investment potential in 2016, while the initial plans of the 2015 budget was to finance this direction by only 270 000 GEL. Promo materials will be prepared for the region’s investment potential, international investments tours will be organized and Invest in Batumi 2016, a Batumi International Investment Forum, will be held, the Ministry reports.

This year the government has already spent 79.3% of the budget for promoting the region’s investment potential, the Ministry reports.

This year the Ministry has refurbished the region’s investment potential promotion materials (the Invest in Batumi magazine, booklets such as Doing Business, Facts and Figures, Gambling and Miracle). Two video presentations were prepared about the Kobuleti free industrial zone and the Goderdzi Ski Resort project.

BUSINESS WEEK

The Editorial Board Follows Press Freedom Principles Publisher: LLC Caucasian Business Week - CBW Director: Levan Beglarishvili Address: Aleksidze Street #12 Editor-in-chief: Zura Kukuladze. Tel: 599 00 82 12 Mobile phone: +995 591 013936 WWW.ABW.GE Email: ajarabusiness@gmail.com

AJARA

BATUMI RESIDENTS WILL MEET 2016 NEW YEAR WITH SILVER NEW YEAR TREE

Moreover, business forums were held in Astana, Kazakhstan and Istanbul, Turkey as part of the international investment tours arrangement project.

“We have introduced the region’s investment potential and state-initiated projects as part of the business forums. We have also held the so-called B2B meetings between Georgian and foreign companies. Chambers of commerce and industry of foreign countries and their member companies have taken part in organizing these forums. By November 20 we will hold Minsk-Batumi Investment Forum in Belarus Republic”, the Finance and Economy Ministry of Ajara says.

The second investment forum was held on September 18, 2015, in which about 250 persons took part from China, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Austria, Iraq, UAE, Japan, Spain, Turkmenistan, the Baltic Countries and Armenia.

We have also shot promotion video clip about the Ajara investment potential. The clip was shot in Batumi and Ajara highland in 2015.

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charaGanateba company has won a Batumi City Hall tender to provide the New Year illumination and embellishment services in Batumi. Batumi City Hall will finance the project by 1.420 million GEL from the municipal budget for adorning Batumi streets and squares by various accessories and garlands. Flash constructions will be also installed. AcharaGanateba will install the silver New Year Tree with silver pine needles on Era Square in Batumi. Batumi City Hall has ordered the winner company to fix silver nonflammable pine needles. According to the tender terms, the New Year tree axis will not change, only needles will be replaced, because last year a part of the New Year tree burnt down because of short circuit. In whole, Batumi City Hall has ordered 27 accessories to AcharaGanateba.

ENTERPRISES READY FOR CITRUS SEASON

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hairman of Ajara AR Government Archil Khabadze and the Minister of Agriculture of Georgia Otar Danelia visited the citrus cannery plant ‘Giam group’ in Kobuleti Municipality.

The plant will receive 15 000 tons of citrus this year. Export sales are also planned. Cannery plant will purchase kg tangerine for 20 tetri, 10 tetri will be funded by Government subsidies.

About 100 local people are employed at the plant.

The Chairman and the Minister also visited the citrus packing and sorting plant Ltd ,,TCF GEORGIA’’. The plant can receive 100 tons of citrus per day. It will receive 15 000 tons of citrus this year, that will be exported to Ukrainian, Russian and Middle East Market. Also the plant plans to receive 5 000 tons of non-standard Mandarin.

It has the refrigerator, where 3000 tons of citrus and other fruit and vegetable storage is possible.

500 locals are employed at the processing plant.

The English-language weekly is distributed to over 1000 assets in Ajara, including, major companies, commercial banks, international organizations, state offices, high-class hotels, shopping malls, Batumi airport, Kobuleti, Sarpi. Businessmen and Managers Read ABW.

Source: www.commersant.ge, www.bpi.ge, www.gbc.ge, www.agenda.ge, www.civil.ge

BUDGET November 9, 2015 #14

ajara business week

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AJARA AUTONOMOUS REPUBLICAN BUDGET FOR 2016

The Ajara Government has published the autonomous republican budget for 2016. The local government’s main financial document contains a detailed description of the structure of expenditures and revenues for 2016. These indicators outline a clear picture concerning the local government’s priorities in 2016. The Ajara government has also published a document called as the Autonomous Republic’s Priorities for 2016-2019. The document contains very interesting indicators about the midterm perspectives of the ongoing economic activities in the Region. We publish main indicators of the Ajara Region’s autonomous budget for 2016.

Revenues The forecast revenues in the 2016 republican budget of the Ajara Region makes up 210 173.5 thousand GEL. The forecast incomes tax indicators constitute 140 000 million GEL and forecast indicators from other revenues make up 7.725 million GEL. According to the budget bill, revenues from property tax are planned at 7.325 million GEL, including 5 million GEL interest returns and 1.2 million GEL dividends. Forecast revenues from rental are planned at 1.125 million GEL. Revenues from sales of goods and services are planned at 300.0 thousand GEL, including

revenues from nonmarket sales of goods and services constitute 300.0 thousand GEL. Revenues from sanctions (fines) are planned at 100.0 thousand GEL. Nonfinancial assets are planned at 15 000.0 thousand GEL, while a decline in financial assets are planned at 47 448.5 thousand GEL. It is worth noting the regional budget’s revenues in 2015 was planned at 170 292.2 thousand GEL, forecast budget taxes were planned at 147 000.0 thousand GEL.

Expenditures The 2016 regional budget’s assignments are planned at 210 173.5 thousand GEL. The explanatory card of the 2016 budget bill reads that the 2016 budget expenditures are as follows due to the budget-financed state bodies: The Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara - 4 957.0 thousand GEL; The Election Administration of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara – 4 229.5 thousand GEL; The Government of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara and related organizations – 53 469.1 thousand GEL, including the Ajara Government’s office – 3.545 million GEL; The Environment Protection and Natural Resources Management of Ajara – 5 047.6 thousand GEL; The Tourism and Resorts Department of Ajara – 5 823.3 thousand GEL; The Archive Management of Ajara – 1 978.6 thousand GEL; The Roads and Melioration Systems Management Department of Ajara - 36 840.7 thousand GEL. The chamber of commerce and industry of Ajara – 233.9 thousand GEL; The Finance and Economy Ministry of Ajara – 11 572.9 thousand GEL. The Ministry of Education and Sports of Ajara – 39 041.0 thousand GEL;

The Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Ajara – 14 057.9 thousand GEL. The Ministry of Agriculture of Ajara – 7 200.1 thousand GEL.

The 2015 Autonomous Republican Budget Fulfillment in Ajara The Ajara Government has fulfilled the Ajara consolidated budget by 16.3% surplus and the republican budget by 18% surplus. According to the Finance and Economy Ministry of Ajara, in the January to October period, the consolidated budget plan was 178 672 700 GEL, but the fulfillment marked 207 711 300 GEL. This signifies that plan was fulfilled by 116.3% surplus. According to the statistics, the January to October taxes in the consolidated budget were collected by 115.5% and other revenues were fulfilled by 115.4%, nonfinancial assets (decline) were fulfilled by 122.5%.

As to distinct parts of the January to October autonomous republican budget: the part of taxes was fulfilled by 117.7%, other revenues were fulfilled by 125.5%, nonfinancial assets (decline) entry was fulfilled by 117.5%. According to the Finance and Economy Ministry of Ajara, in the January to October period, the Batumi municipal budget was fulfilled by 10% surplus, while the Kobuleti municipal budget was fulfilled by 45.8% surplus. The Shuakhevi municipal budget was fulfilled by 34.2% surplus, the Khulo municipal budget plan was fulfilled by 16.1%. At the same time, in the January to October period, the Keda and Khelvachauri municipalities failed to fulfill municipal budgets and the fulfillment marked only 89.9% in Khelvachauri and 50.5% in Keda.

Ajara Autonomous Republic’s Priorities for 2016 to 2019 Period The Ajara autonomous republic budget’s income taxes are planned at 145 600.0 thousand GEL by 2017, while the figure is planned at 151 400.0 thousand GEL by 2018 and 157 500.0 thousand GEL by 2019, the 2016-2019 Priorities of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara reads.

According to the document, the autonomous republic’s revenues grow due to economic and social development in Georgia that drives creating new job places, grows employment and intensifies entrepreneurship.

According to the document, the forecast indicators of other revenues unimportantly change due to years. The growth is driven by leasing real estate owned by the Autonomous Government.

Consequently, in 2016 the forecast indicator of other revenues is planned at 7 725.0 thousand GEL. The figure is planned at 5 000.0 thousand GEL in 2017, 5 300.0 thousand GEL in 2018 and 5 800.0 thousand GEL in 2019. The entry of other revenues mainly unites deposits and yields accumulated on accounts, dividends from state-shared enterprises, rentals, sales of goods and services, sanctions (fines) and other unclassified revenues.

The forecast contraction in nonfinancial assets in 2016 is planned at 15 000.0 thousand GEL. In terms of financial assets reduction (a use of the 2016 existing balance), 47 448.5 thousand GEL will be spent.

The forecast indicator of the 2016 autonomous republic budget is planned at 210 173.5 thousand GEL, including revenues of 147 725.0 thousand GEL and income taxes of 25 250.0 thousand GEL. It is worth noting the certain sorts of income taxes will be shared between the autonomous republican budget and the local selfgovernments in Ajara. At the same time, based on the growing economic activities in the region, income taxes forecast indicator for the next year may be planned at 140 000.0 thousand GEL.

INTERVIEW

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November 9, 2015 #14

ajara business week

BENEFITS AJARA RECEIVES FROM AGRO BATUMI 2015 EXHIBITION AND SALES

- Who is the event organizer? what was the objective of this event?

- GeoNet Expo is one of the first exhibition companies in Georgia. The company organizes similar exhibitions in Batumi to promote this direction in the region. The event was co-organized by the government of Ajara, the Agriculture Ministry of Ajara, Batumi City Hall, Ajara chamber of commerce and industry and the Georgian association of international investors.

Agro Batumi 2015 is a large-scale event and

its attractiveness and scales grow year by year.

For three days, participant companies are able to introduce their products to consumers and hold advertising campaigns too.

This international exhibition was very important for Ajara and the whole country. The Georgian government zealously cares for the agriculture sector development and this event is of crucial importance in this light. The event aims to assemble enterprisers from various countries so as they introduce their goods and services to each other and sell them.

-What sort of products were introduced at the exhibition?

- Agro food products such as honey, cheese and so on were represented at the event, as well as various modern machineries, for example filbert picking, processing and mandarin sorting machineries.

-Did representatives of foreign companies attend the exhibition?

-Companies from the following countries have taken part in the exhibition: Georgia, Turkey, Ukraine, Iran. AD and information tours were held during the exhibition, as well as pre-

HOW THE GOVERNMENT WILL SUBSIDIZE THE CITRUS SECTOR

Georgian Agriculture Minister Otar Danelia has met with Ajara Government Chairman Archil Khabadze and Ajara Agriculture Minister Zaur Putkaradze to discuss the 2015 citrus season details and organizational issues, citrus sorting and processing issues, providing the packing enterprises with tara and exports of Georgian citrus in competitive conditions, the Agriculture Ministry informs.

“We have discussed all details regarding the preparatory works. This year we will pick a high volume of citrus and we expect the harvest to reach 100-110 thousand tons. As to the exports markets, we have already received orders from our traditional markets.

We provide active efforts to penetrate alternative markets too and our goal is to maximally

“

“We have discussed all details regarding the preparatory works.

This year we will pick a high volume of citrus and we expect the harvest to reach 100-110 thousand tons. As to the exports markets, we have already received orders from our traditional markets.

“

OTAR DANELIA Georgian Agriculture Minister

promote our exporters. The Government has taken a decision to subsidize the nonstandard mandarin in 2015 too. The government will cofinance a kilogram of nonstandard mandarin by 0.10 GEL. Enterprises will also pay 0.10 GEL. Consequently, the price of a kilogram of nonstandard mandarin will be 0.20 GEL. This model of subsidization justified in 2014 and we expect this season to be successful too”, Otar Danelia said.

On November 1 a special center opened in Ajara to hold the citrus season in an organized way, Archil Khabadze noted.

In the near future, a new citrus packing enterprise will open in Chakvi. We prioritize to find new exports markets. We provide tireless efforts to export our citrus to the Central Asia markets, Archil Khabadze added.

Zaur Putkaradze makes focus on available problems, but he assures the provided job suffice to fully sell the 2015 mandarin harvest.

“This year the citrus harvest exceeded the 2014 volume twice and we expect to pick 105106 thousand tons of citrus in Ajara and 130-135

sentations and meetings with media agencies.

They have expressed satisfaction with the event results.

-What was the result of this exhibition for both participant companies and various investors? Have they signed any agreements?

Are they interested in domestic products?

-At the exhibition, companies found new partners, signed 2-3 agreements, including in the honey production sector. Foreign visitors expressed much interest in our products of natural raw materials and ingredients.

“

-Companies from the following countries have taken part in the exhibition: Georgia, Turkey, Ukraine, Iran. AD and information tours were held during the exhibition, as well as presentations and meetings with media agencies. They have expressed satisfaction with the event results.

“

At the skating palace in Batumi GeoNet Expo company held Agro Batumi 2015, the 5th international exhibition and sales of agro food products and technologies. Both Georgian and foreign companies have taken part in the exhibition.

Osman Mzhavanadze, a head of the Association of International Investors of Georgia, talks about the objective of this event, presented products and participant countries and companies.

Citrus Headquarters opened in Ajara

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thousand tons in the whole country”, Putkaradze said. However, he also mentioned available problems before the exports.

“Certain difficulties will arise because of the existing situation in Ukraine and Russia, as well as the inflation trends. Therefore, we plan to intensify efforts on the Central Asia market.

Naturally, our traditional markets will be also relevant, including Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Moldova, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Our goal is to suitably prepare the domestic infrastructure so as the collection centers operate valuably. Several enterprises will be put into exploitation for citrus waxing. As a result, the product’s storage period will increase by at least one month. We do our best to make the season successful”, Zaur Putkaradze said.

In the 2015 citrus season about 30 citrus packing enterprises will operate to pack products in plastic, cardboard and wooden tar, put pallets and prepare for exports. This season several new enterprises will also open for waxing citrus, the Ajara Agriculture Ministry informs.

inister of Agriculture of Ajara Otar danelia together with the Chairman of Ajara AR Government Archil Khabadze and the Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Ajara Ioseb Abuladze opened a headquarters in Batumi that will help organized collecting of tangerine in processing plants.

Archil Khabadze and Otar Danelia visited another sorting-packing plant ‘Agroinvestservice’ Ltd, that is equipped with modern technic lines. The plant will be able to receive, sort and package 150 tons of citrus per day. Citrus will be packaged in 15 kg capacity pallets bound boxes.

The company also has a refrigeration business, where it is possible to save 500 tons of different types of fruit and vegetables. The plant will process more than 5000 tons of citrus this year, that will be exported to Ukraine, Belarus and Baltic markets. 70 people are employed in the enterprise.

November 9, 2015 #14

INTERVIEW ajara business week

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NANA GURGENIDZE: AGL IS INTERESTED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE REGION WHERE THE SHUAKHEVI HPP CASCADE IS BEING BUILT AGL (Adjaristsqali Georgia LLC) is implementing of one of the largest investment projects in Georgia’s infrastructure – the Shuakhevi HPP Cascade”. The size of this investment is 400 million USD. The company’s management is made up of both expatriate and Georgian staff.

Nana Gurgenidze is the director of government relations for AGL. Her professional specialty is international law. She obtained her BA in public Administration at the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs and her BA in energy management at New York Institute of Technology in the United States. She has experience working in leading positions in both the public and private sectors, and she has been working in the energy sector for more than 10 years.

- Hello Nana, first of all, I would like to ask you about the importance of the project your company is implementing. What will be the impact of the Shuakhevi HPP Cascade on Georgia and the Georgian energy sector?

- First of all, after our hydropower station is operational, Georgia will have a station with an installed capacity of 187 megawatts, which will produce an additional 440 million kilowatt-hours of electricity which, during the winter, will be completely used by the Georgian population. In the summer, when the production of electricity is extensive throughout Georgia, we will export electricity to Turkey and make our contribution to the export potential of Georgia.

In addition, our company is interested in the development of the region where the Shuakhevi HPP cascade is being built. We are implementing various social projects which are improving the living conditions of local residents. These projects include infrastructure development projects, including school rehabilitation, in local communities and the support of private small business start-ups. The company consistently cooperates with local residents and local government in order to identify the fields where our involvement will result in real changes to the lives of local residents. I can confidently say that none of the other investors in this field do as much for local people as we do here at Adjaristsqali Georgia LLC, or, as we call it, “AGL.”

Furthermore, it is important to note that approximately 650 Georgian citizens are employed by the project – our modest contribution to the elimination of the country’s unemployment rate.

At the same time, we are investing in property and, accordingly, pay property taxes into the accounts of local governments (at this stage this amount equals about 3 million GEL, a figure will be even higher after the construction is complet-

ed). In doing so, we are supporting the financial welfare of the municipalities where our station will be located.

In addition, our company is interested in raising the number of skilled professionals in the Georgian energy sector, and we are doing our best to help the country recruit young specialists into the field. This year, we selected students from the Technical University of Georgia to work as interns at our company. These students had an opportunity build on their theoretical knowledge by observing the real-world and real-time work that we do here.

As a citizen of this country, I am very proud to represent a company which does so much good in our here because of its high standards of ethics and social responsibility.

- Your company is implementing various social projects in highland Adjara. Is this your company’s obligation or its vision?

- As I’ve already mentioned, our company is exceptional among investors in Georgia in terms of the good it does for local residents. You would certainly find it difficult to name any other private company in Georgia’s energy sector which works so hard and spends so much money implementing different social projects. Accordingly, it has nothing to do with obligations, it’s about our good will and desire to change the living conditions of locals for the better. No one has given us this obligation apart from our founders – the Norwegian company Clean Energy Invest, the Indian power company TATA Power and the International Finance Corporation. All of these organizations feel a very high sense of responsibility towards the countries they operate in.

- As director of government relations, to what extent do you feel the support of the Georgian government in the process of implementation of the project?

- It’s impossible to implement such a large-scale

hydro energy project without successful cooperation between the government and the private company. Naturally, we feel that the government and especially the economic teams of government ministries have supported us at each stage of the project.. Our main partner is the Ministry of Energy of Georgia. This project managed to overcome many obstacles with the direct effort of this Ministry’s management. In particular, I would like to personally mention the Deputy Ministers of Energy of Georgia, Elia Eloshvili and Irakli Khmaladze, who have been very supportive since the very first stage of the project and whose personal efforts have ensured our success. We have already completed almost 65% of the construction work, and we have not had any setbacks or major delays. We are moving forward full steam!

The company also feels a sense of responsibility towards the government and the country as a whole and will try to complete the project in a timely manner and start production of the pure hydro energy which is so important for the country’s future. I would also like to mention the state companies operating in the energy sector: JSC Georgian State Electrosystem, JSC Sakrusenergo, JSC Commercial Operator of Electroenergy System and others. Their close cooperation and dependable support have been essential for our project and our company.

Our project is a successful example of private and public partnership in Georgia, and this is crucially significant for the formation of Georgia’s image as reliable country for doing business.

- Now, I would like to ask a personal question.

Supporting women’s participation in politics and their appointment to decision-making positions in business is becoming more and more popular. In your opinion, what does a woman need to achieve success?

- I believe that working hard to obtain a proper education and doing your best in your work are fundamental to a woman’s success. There are lots of successful women around me who inspire me, since it is often very difficult to have a successful

career and a fulfilling personal life at the same time, especially when it comes to raising children. That’s why men probably won’t get angry if I say that women require double the effort to compete as equals and achieve success and therefore deserve double the applause. In general, I believe that not only for women, but for everyone, the main key to success is single-mindedness, hard work and, most importantly, consistent optimism. After all, this world stands on the basis of optimism.

- Besides you, to what extent are women appointed to high-ranking positions in the energy company where you work as part of the management team?

- We are leaders in this area too – women are actively appointed to the management team as well as to different managerial positions. In general, there are a great many successful women in leading positions in the Georgian energy sector. From this point of view, this sector is completely different from other technical fields in Georgia.

For a long time I have noticed that women are getting more and more interested in technical professions, which makes me very happy. I believe that the long dominant stigma against women in the technical professions will eventually be eliminated in Georgia.

Speaking generally, however, improving the level of technical education is very problematic in Georgia, and the promotion of these fields is probably a key to the future success of the country.

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BUSINESS ajara business week

LIVO ATTENDS KAZFOOD 2015 INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION IN ASTANA

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IVO, a natural juices company, has taken part in the KazFood 2015 international exhibition in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Besides LIVO, the Sales Management Company also introduced Datunia honey product from Machakhela and Maradidi tea product.

Goga Samushia, the Sales Management Company director, noted natural juices are very interesting products in Kazakhstan and negotiations are underway with several distribution companies.

The KazFood 2015 exhibition was held from October 21 to October 26, where companies from about 50 countries introduced their productys.

The event was organized by ExpoDamu company.

Founded by the Sales Management Company three years ago, LIVO produces natural juices in the Citro plant in the Ajara Region. The plant was created as part of the Millennium Challenge program. Juices are produced from citrus and fruit

November 9, 2015 #14

TILES AND BLOCKS ENTERPRISE TO LAUNCH OPERATION IN BATUMI A cement plant will launch operation in Batumi. In two years Bloki company will open a new plant for manufacturing cement or reinforced and unreinforced concrete products of analogical materials.

The company management will invest 1 354 664 GEL in the project implementation. Bloki company will implement the project as part of state program after the company received a 6000 square meter nonagricultural land plot and buildings on it in Khelvachauri at 1 GEL. Under the privatization terms, the company will manufacture 3000 units of curbstones and 1 300 000 units of building blocks, 20 000 square meters of tiles.

TRAININGS TO IMPROVE SERVICES AT TOURISM ASSETS

raw materials through a direct squeezing method to maximally preserve useful characteristics, aroma and taste of fruits.

LIVO juices are free of genetically modified bodies, a laboratory tests by Quality Lab suggest.

LIVO juices have won a golden medal at the WorldFood Ukraine 2014 taste contest in Kyiv, Ukraine. At this stage, besides Georgia, LIVO juices are sold in Estonia and Russia. Negotiations are underway with a Swedish company about exports of LIVO products to Sweden.

LIVO juices are manufactured under the Choose Georgian trademark. The Sales Management Company introduced Machakhela Datunia honey product and Maradidi tea product of LIVO company at Tallinn FoodFair exhibition in October. The company will also take part jointly with these products in the Minsk agriculture products exhibition in November 2015.

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he Ajara tourism and resorts department has conducted the so-called Secret Guest research works at tourism assets in the Region. In the summer period, about 150 assets were examined, including 15 tourism agencies, 60 food and 75 accommodation assets.

Tamar Kaikatsishvili, a head of the service development department of the Ajara tourism and resorts department, says for the last year the quality of services has considerably improved, but problems still exist.

“The major challenge is that the level of services does not fit the requirements. Tourism is a quickly developing sector and it should be refined and developed on annual basis. Currently, our market realities do not satisfy our wishes and expectations in terms of service quality. Therefore, we provide permanent efforts to assist the private sector. At this stage, to improve the service quality, we will send recommendatory letters to the

private sector and, in parallel regime, we will launch a new wave of trainings to eradicate the shortcomings outlined during the research works in the sector”, Tamar Kaikatsishvili said and added: „If we recall the indicators and conditions in previous years, the situation has considerably improved. I welcome the Region is introducing many innovations, but this is insufficient anyway and we should think of further development and advancement”, Kaikatsishvili said.

THERMOINDUSTRY HOLDS OFFICIAL PRESENTATION OF SHOWROOM IN BATUMI

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hermoIndustry company has held an official presentation of a new sales office in Batumi. The store offers heating, conditioning and water supply systems with all necessary accessories. The company launched operation in the Georgian market in 2012 and currently the company represents the world’s 20 leading heating system brands in Georgia. The new office plans to introduce interesting campaigns and innovative products.

In the future, the company plans to expand the network.

ThermoIndustry trades in about 800 various products. The company operates as an exclusive partner of Italian brand ItalTherm. As a result, ThermoIndustry offers ItalTherm heating boilers at exclusive prices.

The store sells top quality heating, water supply and conditioning systems of European brands. The company represents such brands as Viessmann, ItalTherm, AGA, Carlo Polleti, Radiatori 2000, Formuli.

Professional masters and advisors trained by the company will select desirable heating systems, boilers, heaters and any other products to any category of consumers. They will also ensure installation of the equipment.

The showroom’s new address is Javakhishvili Street 32/34. The office works from 10 to 18 o’clock in working days and from 10 to 16 o’clock on weekends.

Visit us and Meet the Winter in Warmth!

ECONOMY November 9, 2015 #14

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GEL EXCHANGE RATE AND INFLATION INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND EXPECTATIONS APPRAISES REGION’S ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVES

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e do not expect the GEL exchange rate to keep depreciating, the National Bank President assures.

“I reaffirm that in other equal conditions the GEL exchange volatility will not continue, despite short-term fluctuations are normal amid the floating exchange rate. Moreover, if we ensure health and valuable economic growth, in midterm period the GEL rate will start strengthening”, Giorgi Kadagidze noted and appraised the 2016 state budget bill that, to his words, contains no macroeconomic problems.

As to the budget bill priorities, Giorgi Kadagidze abstained from making comments and redirected the question to the Government.

“It is important that the budget deficit be 3% or less, as provided by the current bill. Consequently, this bill bears no macroeconomic problems. As to spending priorities, this question should be posed to the Finance Ministry and to the government, in general”, Kadagidze said.

The GEL depreciation has already affected the inflation indicators. According to GeoStat, the national statistics service of Georgia, in October the inflation rate made up 5.8% compared to October 2014, up 0.8% compared to the NBG’s 5% target inflation indicator for 2015.

The major rise in prices (11.1%) was recorded in the healthcare sector. Prices mainly increased on pharmaceutical products (27.4%).

Prices increased by 4.1% on food and nonalcoholic beverages too. Significant upturn was registered in the following subgroups: fruits and grapes (22.2%), oil and fat (15.6%) and coffee, tea and cocoa (10.4%). Tariffs on electricity, gas and other subcategories of energy carriers rose by 10.5%, while a 13.1% growth was recorded in the subgroups of furniture, household appliances, house repair and so on.

Amid higher inflation expectations, the NBG has tightened the monetary policy rate to 7.5%

he International Monetary Fund (IMF) has published a regional economic review suggesting that external shocks such as a reduction in consumer product prices (mainly on oil and metals), Russia’s economic recession and USD strengthening against various currencies are making negative influence on the Region’s economic perspectives since the end of 2014. The IMF expects economic improvements in 2016, while external factors will maintain serious influence on the economy of Georgia and the whole Region and this circumstance will be a main challenge for the decision-making bodies.

The national currency depreciation has increased inflation expectations and poses a threat to the high-dollarized financial sector. In 2015 oil importer companies will record 2.5% economic growth, the figure will hit 3% in 2016, while in Georgia the 2015 economic growth is planned at 2% and the figure is expected to mark 3% in 2016. Despite a decline in general demand and in food product prices, the national currency depreciation will increase the inflation in the Region.

The inflation rate may even exceed 6% in 2015.

Inflation burden is expected to worsen in Georgia and Kazakhstan in 2016. The 5% rate is forecast for Georgia. The monetary policy committee has revised the refinancing rate six times in 2015 and increased to 7.5% in early November. The currency year’s fiscal deficit makes up 3.3% in relation to GDP that exceeds the last 10 years’ averaged indicator. Therefore, fiscal consolidation is recommended jointly with directing capital and social expenditures to economic stimulation.

The IMF also underlines the quality of dependence of the region’s countries on Russia.

The report measures the dependence level due to several categories: energy dependence, imports/ exports, money transfers, foreign direct investments and Russian bank assets. Money transfers mostly determines Georgia’s dependence on Russia, while natural gas and oil categories record the lowest level of dependence. According to the report, Armenia is the most dependent country on Russia in the region, while Azerbaijan’s dependence on Russian is the lowest.

As to appraisal of structural reforms, the IMF introduced several important indicators such as education quality, corruption level, exports diversification, financial service, simplicity in doing business. Georgia records higher indicators compared to averaged indicators of the transient economies in the following directions: corruption control, simplicity in doing business. Georgia recorded lower indicators in education level, financial service and exports diversification. These indicators clearly outline the directions that our officials should reform and promote.

NATIONAL BANK STARTS PUBLISHING GEL’S YIELD CURVE INDICATOR

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he GEL exchange rate was one of the most important financial and economic topics throughout 2015 and this issue has affected the current year’s economic development. Therefore, this year much interest was showed to all innovations and instruments that somehow concern the Georgian national currency.

The NBG plans to start publishing the GEL’s yield curve indicator for improving the GEL rate prognosis and securities risks calculation. The NBG has elaborated the curve with support of Czech Central Bank’s experts as part of the joint project of EBRD. The yield curve is one of the most important

attributes of the financial market that indicates riskless interest rates for instruments with all maturity periods. The finance market participants are able to use it as an indicator for determining the price of GEL securities and making prognosis on primary and secondary markets.

Consequently, the GEL’s yield curve is a breakthrough for the capital market development and growing its attractiveness.

The yield curve will assist issuers and investors in determining orientation prices on new issuance and securities with any maturity periods on the market. This concerns both risk-free and corporate securities.

The yield curve reflects the market expecta-

tions regarding the future dynamics of growth in interest rates, inflation and economic development. Consequently, the yield curve is an important source of information for analysts and economic policymakers.

The GEL yield curve covers the period of about 10 years. The state securities represent riskless and the most liquid financial instrument in the country. The state securities primary auctions are held once a week, Wednesdays. The schedule is published on the official websites of the Finance Ministry and the NBG. All physical and legal bodies are authorized to take part in the auctions, both residents and nonresidents. State securities may be purchased through commercial banks or

global custodians (the bank, where securities are stored). Service terms and sales-purchase prices on the secondary market are published on websites of the leading commercial banks.

The GEL yield curve will be renewed Wednesdays, after the completion of the state securities primary auction, at 15 o’clock. This historical database contains weekly information after 2013. The NBG website enables to compare the curves of various periods and to download the information in the Excel format.

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HEALTHCARE

November 9, 2015 #14

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GEORGIA IS MAKING FURTHER STEPS ON HEPATITIS C ELIMINATION PROGRAM From November 3-5, Tbilisi hosted a conference regarding Hepatitis C elimination program. International advisors group from US Center of disease and control, WHO, Emory and Hopkins universities discussed and evaluated current project that has been implementing over six months in Georgia. The purpose of the meeting are to encourage further development of Hepatitis C elimination program and also to increase public awareness.

Georgia’s Hepatitis C Elimination Program is a Historical Event JOHN WARD The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention

David Sergeenko: Hepatitis C Elimination Program is Undergoing Continuously According to the Ministry of Healthcare, 130-150 million people suffer from C hepatitis disease, With the WHO’s criteria, Georgia is considered as a high-prevalence country.

Program has been implementing for six months and more than 5000 patients are undergoing treatments, the second stage of Hepatitis C elimination program, which is about to start from December 2015 and include treatment of 20 000 patients, was announced on a meeting.

“From April 2015, the Ministry of Health, started Hepatitis C elimination program, which attracted worldwide attention. First phase of this program foresees free access to diagnosis and treatments,” David Sergeenko said.

Treatment course is undergoing continuously with the newest directacting generation of Sofosbuvir. Currently we are working on Hepatitis C elimination strategic program, which includes specific tasks and activities.

According to the Minister, the major task for this meeting was to present the results that will lead the start of a new large-scale elimination program.

Georgia has reached largest progress in six month, it is a historical event. We try to implement elimination of this dangerous disease.

Group of experts, will help Georgia to implement the program,” John Ward, head of The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention said.

On the first day of the conference the group has discussed condition of C hepatitis program in Georgia, also results of population survey and challenges of C hepatitis prevention and control.

The group will assess conducted works and will work out recommendations about priority interventions, program indicators and following phases of elimination program.

The involvement of the international expert team will give Georgia’s C hepatitis elimination program qualified experience and will plan new perspectives for overall healthcare system.

Georgia Will be The First Country to Fully Eliminate Hepatitis ” MARTIN DONOGHOE (WHO Regional Office for Europe) This is an incredible initiative and a very bold action that the Georgian government and the Ministry of health has taken to actually be the first country to embark on an initiative to eliminate Hepatitis c. If Georgia will be able to do it they will be the first country to eliminate Hepatitis C. and I think it’s a very bold initiative and it reflects the great political commitment from Georgian authorities to not only to eliminate hepatitis c but also to strengthen public health in Georgia.

JEAN-ELIE MALKIN: Georgia is The First Country, Where Hepatitis C Elimination Will Be Implemented Today’s meeting is very important to evaluating the ongoing project of eradication of Hepatitis C, which is unique program in the world, I would like to say this program is very important to show how Georgia could make a huge progress on such a big issue as Hepatitis C, right now there are more than 5000 patients who are undergoing treatments, program has started 6 months ago - that demonstrates the willingness, the commitment, evolvement of the government of Georgia especially the Minister of health David Sergeenko, in moving forward to improving access to the services for the population.

We with the minister with the colleges of the Georgian administration we are working very hard to improve the whole component of public health and this success campaign of hepatitis c is a very good example to push us to cut analyses process.

This program consisted of two phases, the first phase is practically finished, and more than 5000 patients with liver disease are undergoing treatments and the second phase is planned to continue until 2020 and of course there will be lots of efforts in screening people who are at risk, in order to identify those who are living with the virus of Hepatitis C in order to treat all of this people in the second phase.

So as for the global alliance it is very important because we are working on all the components of public health and the program on Hepatitis C. This campaign is very important to demonstrate how we can make progress for the benefit of population as a very good example which will be extended to all the components of healthcare.

Who Regional office for Europe is supporting development of national plans on the viral hepatitis control and prevention and improving access to HCV treatment.

With the huge commitment and cooperation with the international organizations like WHO, US CDC. I think that this program will be first in the world to demonstrate its possibilities to eliminate this disease in Georgia.

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November 9, 2015 #14

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Foodpanda’s Sandwich Day Trivia: The Sandwich in 10 Countries DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN BATUMI: • Azerbaijan - 14 Dumbadze street; t.: 0 422 27 67 00 • Estonia - 60 Gorgasali street; t.: 0 422 27 09 10 • Turkey - 9 Ninoshvili street; t.: 0 422 25 58 00 • Iran - 83 Parnavaz Mepe street; t.: 0 422 22 86 01, 0 422 22 86 02 • Armenia - 32 Gogebashvili street; t.: 0 422 21 63 02

1 India: Vada Pav Vada Pav is a spicy veggie hamburger that consists of a batata vada potato fritter sandwiched between two slices of pav bread. It usually comes topped with a chutney made from shredded coconut, tamarind pulp, and garlic.

Fun fact: While the Vada Pav started as food for the poor (it’s cheap to make), it quickly caught on nationwide and is now one of India’s favorite fast food dishes, yet is also served in the fanciest of hotels.

peared in print during the early 1950s and is still the second most popular sandwich in the United States (the simple ham sandwich being the first).

6 Mexico: Cemita Cemita is made with an egg-based, briochelike bread which is usually topped with layers of sliced avocado, meat (most likely deep-fried beef), white cheese, onions, herbs, and salsa roja.

Fun fact: Originally from Puebla, the word “cemita” refers to both the sandwich and the bread it employs.

7 France: Croque Madame

2 Malaysia: Roti John A snack in Malaysia, as well as Brunei and Singapore, the Roti John is essentially an omelette sandwich on a baguette-like bread, but can be dressed up with other ingredients, including minced meat (chicken or lamb), onion, and sardines with a tomato-chili sauce.

Fun fact: ‘Roti’ is Hindi, Urdu, and Malay for bread, but the word John crept into the sandwich’s name as a proxy for all things Western, namely the type of bread and tomato sauce.

Croque Madame is the female version of Croque Monsieur, which is a grilled ham and cheese sandwich made with Emmental or Gruyère and bechamel. But, the cheese is on top of the bread. The ‘Madame’ version has a fried egg on top!

Fun fact: Having originated in French cafés and bars as a snack around 1910, the sandwich boasts a proud literary heritage — its earliest mention is allegedly in volume two of Proust’s In Search of Lost Time (1918).

3 Vietnam: Bánh mì Bánh mì is actually Vietnamese for bread, especially the French-introduced baguette that houses the sandwich of the same name. The filling is basically a free-for-all hybrid of VietFranco ingredients: mayo, cilantro, garlic and fish sauce, cucumber, pickled carrots, plus either barbecue pork, fried tofu, pork belly, and ham, plus some pâté thrown on for good measure.

Fun fact: It was allegedly invented in Vietnam in the early ’20s by Le Vo, a smoothie street vendor clearly ahead of his time — smoothies! In the ’20s? After closing up shop to escape the war in 1972, he landed in San Jose, CA and opened Ba Le Bakery, oft cited as the first Bánh mì joint in the US.

4 Japan: Katsu-sando Breaded pork on white bread and cabbage.

Very minimal, much like Japanese culture in general.

Fun fact: We thought that looked like a schnitzel. Invented in Tokyo in 1899 at a restaurant called Rengatei, the sandwich was originally considered a type of yoshoku — a Western dish with local influences.

5 United States: BLT BLT, very straight-forwardly named for its ingredients: Bacon, lettuce, tomato. It is often served on toasted bread with mayonnaise.

Fun fact: The abbreviation ‘BLT’ first ap-

8 Middle East: falafel Falafel, one of the most popular veggie streets foods around the world, is made of deepfried balls of ground, seasoned chickpeas topped with salad vegetables, hot sauce, tahini-based sauces, added to the pocket of a split-open pita bread.

9 Germany: Fischbrötchen Fischbrötchen is a sandwich made with crusty bread rolls filled with fish (most commonly Bismarck or soused herring) and onions.

Sometimes you’ll also find it with remoulade and pickles. It is most commonly eaten in northern Germany, due to the regions’s proximity to the North Sea and Baltic Sea. Fun fact: Fischbrötchen is the second most popular snack in Germany after currywurst.

10 Chile: Chacarero Chacareros are made of thinly sliced, grilled churrasco-style steak on a round roll with tomatoes, peppers and green beans.

Fun fact: Did Chile invent the farm-to-table trend? Chacra means farm, and refers to the chacarero’s farm-fresh fixings.

AJARA TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRES: • Batumi boulevard information centre - 2, Ninoshvili str.; m.: 577 90 90 91; t.: 0 422 29 44 12; w.h.: 09:00-22:00 (Everyday) • Batumi cable-way information centre Gogebashvili street; m.: 577 90 90 93; t.: 0 422 29 44 10; w.h.: 24/7 • Batumi airport information centre - 220, Airport highway; t.: 0 422 29 44 14; w.h.: according to flights schedule • Sarpi information centre - Sarpi Customs; mob: 577 90 90 72; w.h.: 09:00-21:00 (Everyday) • Kobuleti information centre - 642 Aghmashenebeli street; tel: 0 422 29 44 13; w.h.: 09:00-20:00 (Everyday) • Keda information centre - Aghmashenebeli street; w.h.: 09:00-19:00 (In summer) • Shuakhevi information centre - 22 Rustaveli street; w.h.: 09:00-19:00 (In summer) • Khulo information centre 29 M. Abashidze street; w.h.: 09:00-19:00 (In summer) SIGHTSEEING AND CULTURE BATUMI CIRCUS - 13 Services: Parking, Toilet The staff speaks: Georgian, English, Russian Prices; Discounts are available CONTACT • Mob.: 599 68 02 23 PUPPET AND YOUTH STATE THEATRE - 13 Working hours: 10:00-17:00 Services: Parking, Toilet The staff speaks: Georgian, English, Russian Prices; Ticket: 2 Gel Discounts are available CONTACT • Tel.: 0 422 27 62 34 • Mob.: 599 40 45 38 • E-Mail: info@puppet-show.org • CINEMA APOLLO - 13 • Working hours: 12:00-00:00 • Services: Credit cards accepted, Free Wi-Fi, Exhibitions, Cafe, Toilet • The staff speaks: Georgian, English, Russian • Prices • Ticket: 6-10 Gel • Tel.: 0 422 22 72 27 BATUMI BOTANICAL GARDEN - 13 Working hours: 09:30-18:00 Services: Credit cards accepted, Free Wi-Fi, Exhibitions, Guide service, Cafe, Information board, Parking, Toilet The staff speaks: Georgian, English, Russian, German Prices Ticket: 8 Gel Guide service: 30 Gel Discounts are available • Tel.: 0 422 29 49 29 • Mob.: 577 10 16 07 • E-Mail: info@bbg.ge AJARA KHARITON AKHVLEDIANI STATE MUSEUM - 13 Working hours: 10:00-17:00 Services: Free Wi-Fi, Exhibitions, Guide service, Information board, Parking, Toilet The staff speaks: Georgian, Russian Prices Ticket: 2 Gel Guide service: 5 Gel Discounts are available • Tel.: 0 422 27 11 75 AJARA STATE ART MUSEUM - 13 Working hours: 10:00-18:00

Services: Exhibitions, Guide service, Information board The staff speaks: Georgian, English, Russian Prices Ticket: 2 Gel Guide service: Free Discounts are available • Tel.: 0 422 27 38 94 BATUMI ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM Working hours: 10:00-18:00 Services: Exhibitions, Guide service, Information board The staff speaks: Georgian, Russian Prices Discounts are available • Tel.: 0 422 27 65 64 • Mob.: 599 15 41 50 THE NOBEL BROTHERS BATUMI TECHNOLOGICAL MUSEUM Working hours: 10:00-18:00 Services: Exhibitions, Guide service, Information board, Parking The staff speaks: Georgian, Russian Prices Ticket: 3 Gel Guide service: 5 Gel Discounts are available • Mob.: 599 43 03 68 DANCING FOUNTAINS Working hours: 20:00-00:00 Services: Parking • PricesTel.: 0 422 27 88 08 • E-Mail: info@boulevard.ge Ticket: Free BATUMI ILIA CHAVCHAVADZE STATE DRAMA THEATRE Working hours: CLOSED until late June / early July 2015 Services: Parking for around 15 cars. Accessible for disabled people with 10 wheelchair spaces. Toilets (but not accessible). No theatre bar or restaurant but plenty of bars and restaurants nearby.

The staff speaks: Georgian, Russian, English, Turkish • Tel.: 0 422 27 06 14 • Mob.: 555 36 63 99 • E-Mail: info@batumitheatre.ge BATUMI SUMMER THEATRE Batumi Summer Theatre is located in a central part of Batumi Boulevard and is designed for concerts and other entertainment events. An architecturallyunique wooden building is adorned with wooden ornaments and features a ceiling painted in imitation of the sky. The Summer Theatre has a long history. It was renovated in 2013 and has operated since then.

• Tel.: 0 422 29 45 24 Adress: Batumi boulevard BATUMI ART CENTER Working hours: 10:30-22:00 Services: Exhibitions, Parking, Toilet, Café, Concerts, Performances, Opera, Traditional Georgian Folk Song and Dance, Orchestra Performances The staff speaks: Georgian, English, Russian, Turkish, French Tel.: 0 422 27 62 40 • Mob.: 555 37 75 99 • E-Mail: info@muscenter.ge ZOO Working hours: 11:00-19:00 (Except for Monday) Services: Parking, Toilet The staff speaks: Georgian, English, Russian el.: 0 422 22 17 30 • E-Mail: office@parkbatumi.ge CONTEMPORARY ART SPACE Working hours: 11:00-19:00 (Except Monday) The staff speaks: Georgian, English, Russian • E-Mail: batumiartspace@gmail.com Working hours: 11:00-20:00 The staff speaks: Georgian, English, Russian Prices:Free entrance • Tel.: 0 422 27 97 00 RUSUDAN PETVIASHVILI ART CAFE-GALLERY Working hours: 11:00-24:00 The staff speaks: Georgian, English, Russian • Mob.: 599 74 52 23

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PUBLICITY ajara business week

November 9, 2015 #14