AJARA BUSINESS WEEK #20

DISTRIBUTED FREE OF CHARGE

BUSINESS WEEK December 21, 2015, Issue 20

AJARA1

Partner News Agency ajara business week WWW.ABW.GE

December 21, 2015 #20

BE INFORMED, DO BUSINESS IN AJARA

NATIA SIRABIDZE: WE AIM TO ADJUST ALL EVENTS AND PROJECTS TO TOURISM SECTOR DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMICALLY PROFITABLE Pg. 3

GEORGIA’S PERSPECTIVES IN DUBAI MARKET

BATUMI BOULEVARD ADMINISTRATION TO DEVELOP BOULEVARD DEVELOPMENT DRAFT CONCEPT Batumi Boulevard Keeps Its First Development Plan PM UNVEILS DATACENTER WITH INNOVATIVE ENERGY-EFFICIENT COOLING SYSTEM

Pg. 8

Pg. 4

NEW YEAR EVENTS IN THE HOTELS AND DAVID BENHEIM: RESTAURANTS SIMPLER FLIGHTS AND NEW FREQUENCIES WILL DRAW MORE TOURISTS TO AJARA Pg. 4 Pg.6

Pg. 6

EUROPEAN COMMISSION BACKS VISA-FREE FOR GEORGIA

Pg.2

Pg. 7

MAIN EVENTS

2 Ajara Government to Hold Active PR Campaign in Russian in 2016 The tourism and resorts department of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara has hosted a press tour of Russian reporters. Representatives of 10 Russian media agencies and travel companies visited the Region in 2015.

Sopo Lazishvili, the deputy head of the tourism department, updated the guests on Ajara tourism potential and perspectives.

The guests also saw Batumi sights, Gonio Castle and Ajara winehouse. Russian reporters also met with Deputy Education Minister Natia Sirabidze and received information on the Region’s culture sights, a well as the coming Near Year events and concerts. They also met with Batumi Mayor Giorgi Ermakov.

It should be noted the Ajara tourism department is hosting a press tour of Russian reporters for the first time, while the Ajara Government will carry out active PR campaign in the Russian Federation starting 2016.

Ajara Government to Keep Training Private Sector Representatives Employed in Tourism Sector The second stage of training courses for the private sector representatives has started by the initiative of the Ajara Tourism and Resorts Department to train 145 persons in such important directions as improvement of service quality and standards at food and accommodation facilities, operation of hotel departments, marketing and sales, modern principles of management of food outlets and food safety.

The trainings have mainly involved managers, servants of food and accommodation facilities, employees of reservation services and tour operators. The trainings are to upgrade and improve service quality in the region. The trainings started at Hilton hotel on December 13 and will end on December 24.

After the completion of trainings the participants will receive special certificates.

The Ajara Tourism Department provides active efforts for improving service quality in the tourism sector. At the beginning of 2015 the Department trained 155 persons, while this figure will reach 300 ones at the end of 2015.

“Our research has showed there are problems in the tourism sector with marketing and sales, especially in the field of online sales. Our trainings issues are based on these researches. In 2016 the department will inaugurate a new program of trainings under the aegis of our German expert Hans Ulich Trosien.

The program calls for conducting weekly workshop-trainings for our beneficiaries. We have received technical equipment to record trainings and public lectures. These workshop-trainings will bring positive results for improving tourism services and introducing modern standards in the field”, the Ajara Tourism Department head Mamuka Berdzenishvili said.

Ajara Government Asks for Grant-issuing Right The Ajara Government has already put forward this initiative and the council will discuss the issue next week.

At this stage, the Autonomous Republic of Ajara has no right to issue grants, Parmen Jalaghonia, the head of the Ajara Governmental Office Department for Relations with the Council, noted.

“We have put forward the bill of amendments to the law on Issuing Grants that calls for entitling the Ajara Government to issue grants”, Parmen Jalaghonia said.

Currently, only several ministries of the Georgian government are entitled to issue grants.

This initiative aims to better implement functions and goals in the Ajara Region, he added.

“We will make focus on grating science, education, culture directions and sports competitions”, Parmen Jalaghonia noted.

ajara business week

December 21, 2015 #20

EUROPEAN COMMISSION BACKS VISA-FREE FOR GEORGIA

T

he European Commission said Georgia has fulfilled all the benchmarks of its visa liberalisation action plan and it will propose in “early 2016” to the EU-member states to allow visa-free travel to the Schengen area for Georgian citizens.

After the European Commission puts forth a legislative proposal on visa waiver, it should then be approved by the European Parliament and the EU-member states before it can go into force.

Georgia hopes the process will be completed by mid-2016.

“The Commission considers that Georgia meets all the benchmarks set in respect of the four blocks of the second phase of the VLAP,” reads the European Commission’s fourth and final progress report on how Georgia has implemented its Visa Liberalisation Action Plan, released on December 18.

Visa Liberalisation Action Plan (VLAP), which was presented by the EU to Georgia in February 2013, is a set of detailed requirements that the country had to meet in order to become

eligible for visa-free regime with the Schengen area.

After approval from the European Parliament and the EU-member states, Georgian citizens, holding biometric passports, will be able to enter the Schengen area without visa more than one time during 90 days in any 180-day period.

According to the Justice Ministry’s Public Service Development Agency up to 776,000 Georgian citizens hold biometric passports as of December 18, 2015.

“I am very pleased that Georgian citizens with a biometric passport will soon be able to travel to the Schengen area for short stays without a visa,” EU Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Dimitris Avramopoulos said on December 18.

“The hard work of the Georgian authorities over the past three years towards achieving this important goal for the benefit of Georgian citizens has given positive results. Now it is important to keep upholding all standards,” he added.

The visa-free regime will apply to travels

to all EU-member states, except for the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The visa exemption will apply the following EU-members, which are part of the Schengen area: Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Austria, Greece, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Malta.

It will also apply to those EU-member states, which are not yet part of the Schengen zone: Cyprus, Croatia, Romania and Bulgaria, as well as to following non-EU member states: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

The European Commission said that since its previous report on implementation of the VLAP in May 2015, Georgia has made the necessary progress and “the legislative and policy framework, the institutional and organisational principles, and the implementation of procedures throughout the four blocks comply with European and international standards.”

Those four blocks in VLAP involved reform targets in areas ranging from document security, border and migration management to public order, external relations and fundamental rights.

The European Commission also said that it will “continue actively to monitor Georgia’s continuous implementation of all benchmarks under the four blocks of the VLAP through the existing association structures and dialogues, and, if necessary, through ad hoc follow-up mechanisms.”

Also on December 18, the European Commission released sixth report on Ukraine’s visa liberalisation, which, like in respect of Georgia, also says that it will present in early 2016 legislative proposal to grant visa-free regime to Ukraine; it will also require approval of the EU member states and the European Parliament.

GEORGIAN LEADERS WELCOME EUROPEAN COMMISSION REPORT ON VISA LIBERALISATION

G

eorgia’s President, Prime Minister, Parliament Speaker, as well as leaders of parliamentary opposition parties have welcomed European Commission’s report, which said that Georgia meets criteria for lifting visa requirements in the Schengen area.

“I welcome the European Commission’s report on visa liberalisation action plan, which fully reflects the progress achieved by Georgia over the past three years,” President Giorgi Margvelashvili said in a written statement shortly after the report was released on December 18.

“Huge efforts of the Georgian government and the authorities made it possible to meet within the shortest period of time all those requirements, which were envisaged by the action plan.

This unity has brought the result to our country, which is an important step forward to ensure free movement of our citizens to the EU member states,” Margvelashvili said.

“From now on a very responsible process lies ahead for us, which should be accomplished by adoption of a political decision by the European Union that will officially open the EU borders for the Georgian citizens,” the President said.

The European Commission said that it will present a legislative proposal in “early 2016” to the EU-member states to allow visa-free travel for Georgian citizens. After this formal proposal is presented, it should then be approved by the European Parliament and the EU-member states before visa-free rules can go into force. Georgia hopes the process will be completed by mid2016.

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

“Our task is to pass through this process with dignity and spare no effort to achieve the goal in the shortest possible time,” President Margvelashvili said.

“I am sure that the Georgian government, Parliament, political forces and society will remain united to materialize our European choice.”

“Our choice is European choice; Europe is our welfare and progress; more Europe in Georgia and more Georgia in Europe,” Margvelashvili said. “I, as the President of Georgia, will remain actively involved in all those processes, which are related to realization of this strategic goal.”

In a televised address PM Irakli Garibashvili said that it’s “a historic day” for Georgia.

“Georgia has made a step which will largely determine our future in the family of the European states,” Garibashvili said.

The European Commission’s much-awaited report, the PM said, should now pave the way for visa-free travel to the Schengen area for the Georgian citizens in 2016.

“Of course it does not mean that the Georgian citizens will be able to take tickets and go to Europe without visa from tomorrow,” he said.

“Certain stages remain before the final decision, which, taking into view experience of other countries, may take several months.”

In case of Moldova, interval between the European Commission’s positive final report and the time, when visa-free travel rule came into effect in late April 2014, was five months.

The PM said that the European Commission’s positive report marked “the most important step in this process.”

“The European Union has actually acknowledged our unwavering commitments to the European values… and consistent efforts undertaken by our government for efficient and prompt implementation of reforms,” Garibashvili said.

“Our country has confirmed once again that we are frontrunners among EU’s Eastern Partnership countries,” he said.

“In response, the Europe tells us that it is open for the Georgian citizens,” the PM said.

“We have fulfilled dream of present and many past generations. We have achieved the result with joint efforts of the people and the authorities despite of many external or internal obstacles,” PM Garibashvili said.

“New stage for country’s development is starting with this historic decision,” he added.

Visa-free travel rules will add “much deeper dimension” to Association Agreement and deep and comprehensive free trade treaty, which Georgia already has with the EU. “Europe is our historic home. Europe embodies everything which our nation aspires for – individual freedoms, rule of law, welfare, strong economy and equality, peace and bright future for our children, and most importantly it is a new space for realization for our self-identity and uniqueness,” “And this is path towards Georgia’s unity – we can make our country attractive for our Abkhaz and Ossetian brothers only through building modern, European state. I am confident that time will come when they fully make use of those benefits, which the European integration brings,” the Georgian PM said.

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

PUBLICITY December 21, 2015 #20

ajara business week

3

4

BATUMI BOULEVARD ajara business week

December 21, 2015 #20

BATUMI BOULEVARD ADMINISTRATION TO DEVELOP BOULEVARD DEVELOPMENT DRAFT CONCEPT Batumi Boulevard Keeps Its First Development Plan The new document embraces the boulevard development perspectives, calls for creating a joint topographic plan to divide territories in zones and ensure strategic planning of each zone.

T

he project was introduced at the Radisson hotel. Miranda Charkviani, the head of the Ajara cultural heritage protection agency, introduced the attendants with the concept details. At the meeting, a special video footage was demonstrated concerning the Boulevard Development issues.

After presentation of video clip, the meeting was continued in the form of answers and questions.

Ajara Finance and Economy Minister David Baladze welcomed the meeting participants and overviewed the social and economic importance of the Boulevard Development Concept.

“We should make Batumi and the Batumi Boulevard an attractive tourism destination for both foreign and domestic visitors in not only summer period, but also other seasons. This concept is to achieve these goals and we will revive and renew our boulevard and I am sure this place will draw more and more visitors and offer the best services to them.

I am glad representatives of various sectors of our society are attending the project presentation, including representatives of government and nongovernment organizations, media agencies and other interested bodies.

The public involvement will further refine this concept and finally we will receive a valuable concept. Public discussions will be arranged at all stages of this process. This format will enable all interested bodies to introduce their recommendations, remarks, consideration and we welcome them. I would like to express my gratitude to the company for its interest and wish it success in implementing this important project”, David Baladze noted.

Representatives of the Ajara Government, the supreme council MPs, Batumi Mayor Giorgi Ermakov, the council chairman Irakli Cheishvili, NGOs and media outlets and other interested persons have attended the event.

Miranda Charkviani, chairman of the Ajara Cultural Heritage Protection Agency noted at the meeting, the Boulevard development will be carried out in compliance with the Florence Charter. „According to the agreement with the company, the Batumi boulevard conservation, rehabilitation and reconstruction project may be prepared in line with the Florence Charter. Hotel Oasis ltd is preparing the boulevard development concept. The company is one of the leaders in the Ajara Region and currently, Dream Land Oasis is carrying out 105 million GEL project in Chakvi.

The concept embraces such synthesis of nature, technologies and functionality that provides maximum comfortable environment and arranges the space under the paradise garden model and this approach fully meets the Florence Charter principles in relation to historical gardens. The second important factor in the decision-making process is related to affordable and low prices.

Public discussions will be held at all stages of the concept development. In this format all interested bodies will be able to introduce their recommendations, remarks, considerations”, Charkviani noted.

The Batumi boulevard topographic map and the Batumi boulevard concept elaboration-planning documentation will be introduced by spring 2016.

December 21, 2015 #20

INTERVIEW

5

ajara business week

WE AIM TO ADJUST ALL EVENTS AND PROJECTS TO TOURISM SECTOR DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMICALLY PROFITABLE

S

pend the Near Year in Batumi to see a genuine fall of stars . The Ajara Region will receive guests from 5 countries in the New Year period. Guests from Kyiv and Minsk have already booked and purchased tickets to the direction of Batumi. Natia Sirabidze, the Minister of Education, Culture and Sports of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara, said. _Why should we choose Batumi to spend the New Year days there and what do you offer to tourists?

-Batumi traditionally marks the New Year with special events. From December 25 to January 7, free concerts will be held in Batumi, at this stage, on not only Europe Square, but in all 13 districts of Batumi. Two-hour concerts will be held and animators will entertain children. The New Year fair will be held on December 31 and we will offer glintwine at low tariffs to the concert spectators so as they get warm and the best mood during the New Year unforgettable show. _What would you say about the New Year program. Will we see the fall of stars in Batumi?

There are many starts in Georgia, but the Batumi audience is accustomed to foreign starts too. Therefore, for two days Batumi will host two big gala shows.

On December 25 Georgian star Nino Katamadze will unveil the New Year events jointly with Insight group. The next days bands invited from other regions of Georgia, including Tbilisi, will play for Batumi guests and residents. Lasha Onian will introduce gala concerts on December 31 and January 1. His portfolio includes opening and closing ceremonies for European Championship in Football. Namely, on December 31, jointly with our orchestra, chapel, dancers and skaters, distinguished clarinetist Giorgi Feidmann will perform Georgian and foreign compositions, as well as legendary group Inner Circle will offer unforgettable show. We have also invited classic, reggae and pop music players.

On January 1, Sopho Khalvashi will sing jointly with a band. Anri Jokhadze, Nutsa Buzaladze, Nini Badurashvili and Niko Beridze will also perform songs. Foreign star Lou Bega will sing on January 1 and entertain the audience jointly with dancer girls.

-The previous government used to invite this or that star through private funds, besides the state budget funds. What kind of scheme is applied today?

-The Ajara government has decided to consolidate various services around one goal. As a result, the Education Ministry, the tourism department and Batumi City Hall offer a 15-day program to Batumi residents and guests.

Thanks to coordinated steps, we have planned both events and information campigns. We have invited participants from 5 countries. Airplane tickets have been booked and sold from Kyiv and Minsk. Besides mobilization of government funds and human resources, private companies have also joined the preparation works.

Namely, Hilton hotel will ensure accommodation of guests. Building companies will pay royalties to Chapel and other singers. All expenditures will be transparent and monitored under strict regulations.

Moreover, according to our estimations, if 2-3 thousand tourists visit the Region in the New Year days, the local residents will receive more incomes compared to expenditures. _Have singers and bands posed any preconditions and demands?

-To be frank, initially we started negotiations with Medcon, Zaz, Craig David, but these plans failed because of certain demands and events.

Anyway, the final project looks very impres-

sive. A Jamaican group will warm Batumi residents and guests in winter weather. Even more so people of all ages love hits of Inner Circle. This 8-member band will present serious show. By the way, in October 2015 at the award ceremony of international reggae and the world music, Inner Circle group obtained an award in the nomination the Most Distinguished Show Band. They have been performing on the stage for many years but they introduce new programs every year and this is very important.

-Did they have any information on Georgia when you was making offer to them? Was it easy to persuade them to arrive in Georgia and how have you contacted them? _As noted above, Lasha Oniani guides all concerts on December 31 and January 1. Negotiations were conducted by him and German agents. Fortunately, Jose Carreras, Sting and other stars have sung in Batumi and this proves

ing to my information, Heat Batumi will be continued. A joint calendar of events will be prepared and jointly with Tourism Department, we will offer culture products to consumers to extremely increase the quantity of tourists.

Batumi is coddled by stars and is considered a prestigious destination.

by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports. The issue is of about 600 000 GEL, but this year we may spare sums and the expenditures will be lower.

I will divulge one secret that one signer refused to arrive in Georgia through Turkey because of the global developments, but the singer has not rejected to arrive in Georgia in itself. _Batumi is coddled by foreign stars, but for the last period mega stars have not arrived in the city, if we do not count the recent jazz festivals.

Should we expect these paces will be maintained and many other stars will visit Batumi? _We will try to maintain these paces. Accord-

Our objective is to adapt all activities and events to the tourism sector development and increase economic profits. We should make our culture attainable and attractive to everybody. Proper planning and marketing strategy will make the strategy more profitable. _How much budget sum was spent on the previous New Year preparations and events? _I can refer to the expendiutures taken

It should be also noted about 450 persons will be employed for two days. In two weeks, the number of employees will rise to 600 persons.

Moreover, all these efforts will expose Batumi as a yearlong tourism destination and our population will receive more revenues.

Interviewed by Maia Arabidze

6

TECHNOLOGY ajara business week

December 21, 2015 #20

PM UNVEILS DATACENTER WITH INNOVATIVE ENERGYEFFICIENT COOLING SYSTEM “Today we see a cutting-edge 40 megawatt power datacenter. This is an innovative technology.

I am very glad such a famous company has entered our country.

This signifies the investment environment has improved in our country”.

Our government has been encouraging foreign investments to our country, in general. We have taken serious steps in this direction. Moreover, in several days we will unveil the technology park to additionally stimulate foreign investors to put money in our country. In general, technological development will bring additional benefit to the country”, Irakli Gharibashvili noted.

The PM expressed his gratitude to all persons involved in the project, as well as the company founder. BitFury mega processing datacenter is equipped by the most advanced 28 and 16 nanometer chips.

It should be also noted the company has installed an innovative cooling system, in the datacenter.

The opening ceremony participants noted BitFury projects will considerably promote the development of information technologies in Georgia.

The Gldani mega datacenter project has already created 20 permanent high intellectual job places.

Domestic Georgian employees jointly with foreign experts are establishing and introducing the most advanced information technologies in Georgia.

It should be also noted Georgian IT specialists who are employed in the data center in Gldani, supervise the datacenters in Iceland from Georgia.

BitFury company implemented the first successful project in Gori and decided to expand business activities in Georgia and started implementing independent projects. Namely, the company is developing Tbilisi Free Zone on 18 hectare land plot in Gldani to draw successful IT companies to Georgia and attract foreign direct investments.

BitFury mega datacenter will make much contribution to drawing other international companies. According to preliminary estimations, the Tbilisi Free Zone will attract more than 100 million USD FDI.

G

eorgian Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili has unveiled a datacenter with innovative energy-efficient cooling system. The PM welcomed the fact the worldwide distinguished company of BitFury has made investments in Georgia.

In cooperation with the Co-investment Fund, the company has already invested 30 million USD in Georgia, while the mentioned datacenter is the company’s second project in Georgia.

LIBERTY BANK CLIENTS TO TAKE QUEUE NUMBERS OUT OF BANK SERVICE CENTER

L

iberty Bank has introduced a new service – starting today, the bank clients are able to book their queue numbers without visiting service centers. The clients are also able to choose a desirable service center, date and time.

The clients should dial a code in the queue terminal of a service center. Having made the booking, the clients will receive a SMS message at the cellular phones. Queue numbers may be also taken at Liberty Bank website https://libertybank.ge/ booking and Liberty Banks’ official page in the Facebook.

“Liberty Bank provides tireless efforts to develop alternative bank channels. At this stage, we enable the clients to book their visits to the service

centers in advance and receive bank services in the shortest period”, David Ninidze, a head of the Liberty Bank department for alternative bank channels, noted.

Liberty Bank serves over 1.5 million physical bodies through the largest network of service centers. At the same time, Liberty Bank has been developing alternative channels that enable clients to receive certain bank services without visiting service centers, including internet and cellular banking, quick payment terminals, ATMs, SmartPAY for cellular phones of any generation and EASYPAY terminals at shopping malls.

Liberty Bank plans to offer many other interesting innovations to the clients in the near future.

BUSINESS December 21, 2015 #20

ajara business week

7

DAVID BENHEIM: SIMPLER FLIGHTS AND NEW FREQUENCIES WILL DRAW MORE TOURISTS TO AJARA Hassan Akanja: Visitors Compare Batumi to Dubai and Singapore

H

ow are hotel and casino managers appraising the year of 2015 in Batumi? Currently, six casinos operate in Batumi.

Eight new casinos will open in the city by 2017. The last year 230 000 visitors went to casinos in Batumi and the Batumi municipal budget collected about 5 million GEL in the form of gambling duties.

There are 76 tables in Batumi hotels and the fee per gambling table makes up 18 000 GEL, while the fee is 800 GEL per gambling machine.

The casino must pay 10% of this amount to the budget for establishing promo prize rate.

According to the current tariffs in Batumi, a casino pays 250 000 GEL in the form of a license fee, while the casino owner who, will open a 100-suite hotel in Batumi, is exempted from the license fee.

Batumi City Hall assures the Batumi Government creates preferential terms to investors for developing the tourism environment. “For example, the fee per table may be 30 GEL, but in Batumi the fee makes up 18 000 GEL. Preferences run regarding the license fee. All big hotels under construction plan to open casinos”.

The biggest casino in the Caucasus – Hotel Leogrand management appraises Leogrand ca-

sino in these words. Hotel Leogrand includes 180 luxury suites, 5 conference falls, outdoor terrace, spa center, nightclub and the biggest and the most luxurious casino in the Caucasus.

“The year was quite successful. There are 24 gambling tables in Leogrand casino, 280 popular gambling machines, VIP salon on 500 square meters. Two bars and a restaurant with international cuisines serve the casino guests. Casino Leogrand embraces three floors with 3 000 square meters”.

As compared to Casino Peace at Hotel Sheraton, one of the first casinos in Batumi, that operates with 20 tables, the new season scales are genuinely impressive.

Gamers mainly come from Turkey to Batumi casinos. Clients from Tbilisi and Azerbaijan visit the Batumi casinos in only summer period, while Batumi residents are not registered in the casino databases at all, Hotel Peace executive director assistant Shota Amiranashvili said.

“In our casino 96% of clients are Turkish citizens and this fact has its explanation. We have Turkish management. It is famous Turkish clients go to clubs of Turkish owners. We also provide comfortable services to Turkish citizens, including Turkish cuisine, Turkish-language staff. As to the last year estimations, the number of visitors has increased”.

Hotel owners in Batumi are also content with the tourism season. David Benheim, the manager general for Georgia Palace hotel in Kobuleti, says in 2015, compared to the past years, the number of visitors decreased. Benheim sees global developments behind this decline. The hotel management is developing new standards of packages and services for 2016.

“First of all I would like to use this opportunity and from this newspaper to congratulate everybody on the coming Christmas and New Year.

Especially I wish economic and tourism sector advancement to this country. This year brought particular challenges to us, because the global developments considerably decreased the tourist inflows compared to the previous year.

This year Georgian tourists have mainly stayed at our hotel. Flights should be simplified and new frequencies should be added so as tourists arrive easier in Ajara. In the future, I think tourists will be interested in our hotel. Therefore,

we are preparing new packages and price to make our hotel more attractive for foreign visitors. We also plan to introduce many innovations, but I will leave them as a surprise for our guests”.

Hotel DIVAN Swift manager general Hassan Akanja says the number of tourists increased in 2015 compared to 2014. “A Major part of tourists come from Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Ukraine. Batumi becomes one of the most popular tourism destinations in the Black Sea coastline. When investors arrive in Batumi, they assert the city is being developed like Dubai and Singapore. They draw many parallel with Batumi. The information of Batumi achievements has reached New York City too and American investor Donald Trump has decided to build the so-called Batumi Trump Tower with 52 floors. This signifies in the next years the tourist inflows will increase in Batumi”.

Radisson BLU Hotel manager Irine Petriashvili noted the hotel’s expensive suites are mainly

rented by foreign visitors.

“The price of a presidential suite at Radisson BLU Hotel is 1 200 USD, while the 18% VAT grows the price to 1 416 USD. The service of one of the most expensive suites includes a breakfast, spa and fitness center. As to the 2015 year estimations, it was very successful”.

This year Sheraton hotel has hosted the most ever quantity of tourists. Sheraton is an international 5-star brand and it is beyond competition thanks to its special services in the Ajara Region, Nino Isakadze, Batumi Sheraton Hotel’s sales and administration manager said.

“We represent an international brand and this unconditionally signifies our advantage. We offer special services. Batumi Sheraton hotel suites operate at full scale throughout the summer period and the month of September. The demand for our suites grows in the period of jazz-festivals and other high-level events”.

8

BUSINESS

December 21, 2015 #20

ajara business week

Georgia’s Perspectives in

DUBAI MARKET Natia Kereselidze, Evergreen Businessmen Services Representative in Georgia

T

he Dubai Market calls for Georgian small and medium business sector representatives! Evergreen Businessmen Services company has entered the Georgian market with this proposal. Naturally, the question arises about Georgia’s perspectives in a competitive market like Dubai.

We will try to cast light on similar issues. We have talked about the Dubai tax-free market several times. This factor is very important for small and medium business sector representatives in Georgia to be exempted from income and other tax obligations. Similar environment, first, promotes the segment development and the integration in this big market with global scales.

What are the perspectives of the Georgian small and medium business sector representatives to pave the way to such a competitive market as Dubai? I would genuinely agree on the opinion that the healthy competition fosters the business development. Moreover, the small and medium business sectors explore the target market thoroughly to determine how acceptable will be the environment and how their product will be sold on the market. Consequently, this sector is trying to be efficiently represented in the market.

Similar companies are far flexible. Therefore, they have advantage to offer special products to the market, as well as special prices and services.

Similar conditions ensure their leading positions in the markets.

Amid the current economic situation in Georgia, this is a good opportunity for both small and medium business sectors to make their business more successful, start businesses in Dubai, set up companies, join this global market that is visited by millions of tourists every year.

Similar environment is attractive for Georgia and is ideal for expansion of business activities. Georgia is rich of the resources the exports of which ensure much competition in the market among valuable and successful companies. The export is one of the important factors that unconditionally ensures and fosters the business sector development.

I believe Georgia’s small and medium business sector should employ this opportunity, launch

exports to Dubai and introduce Georgian special products that will offer valuable competition to other advanced companies in the Dubai market.

More than 20 000 business activities operate in Dubai. The segment is not expired, any sector is open to new businesses. The Dubai economic report has showed the following directions are the most requested and successful business sectors: • WHOLESALE-RETAIL TRADE 25.2% • TRANSPORT 13.9% • REAL ESTATE 12.9% • MANUFACTURING – 12.5% • FINANCIAL SERVICE – 11.6% • CONSTRUCTION SECTOR – 7.7%.

Population growth, along with a dynamic real estate market, soaring tourists’ arrivals and healthy trade activity have been the main pillars of the Dubai economy.

In this case, I will overview the business activities that would be more acceptable and suitable for Georgia’s small and medium business sectors.

The Dubai Market Opportunities for Georgia’s Small and Medium Business Sectors

HR Companies are very successful in the Dubai market and there is ideal environment for Georgian HR companies. It is famous the Dubai government publishes over 312 000 vacant positions and therefore, the segment of employers cannot be expired. The number of announced vacancies considerably exceeds the Georgian statistics. The foundation of a HR service agency in Dubai will be very profitable and successful business, taking into account the existing statistical data.

Shipping Companies

Fujairah Sea Port is the major seaport in the world after Singapore that daily handles at least 100 ships and provides all valuable services, including :

• C CONTAINER HANDLING, • GENERAL CARGO • BULK CARGO • MARINE SERVICE, • BUNKERING, • M MARINE SUPPLY, • LIVESTOCK Our company Evergreen Businessmen Service will assist any transportation company in starting business in the world’s largest seaport.

Real Estate Agencies

Let’s imagine how profitable the real estate sales in UAE will be compared to the Georgian market.

This is additional advantage to draw clients to Georgia for investments. Everybody knows Arabs are interested in Georgia very much. Today a number of projects, many important construction projects are being carried out in Georgia under their management.

Heating, conditioning, refrigerator inventory are also very requested in Dubai and Georgian com-

panies operating in these segments would make serious success in Dubai.

Mineral Water

Mineral water would be the best export item from Georgia to Dubai. This is the minimum list of 20 000 business fields that are published by the Dubai Economic Development Service every year.

Georgia has huge perspective to become a plenipotentiary member of such trade market as Dubai.

Therefore, Evergreen Businessmen Services provides all necessary services for business inauguration, including obtaining licenses, local sponsorships, bank services, office rental, HR service, permanent residential visas and so on.

Detailed information may be received at the address. Giorgi Saakadze Descent 11, Panorama Business Center.

Email: Tbilisi@setup-biz.com Web: setup-biz.com Tel : 577433366

December 21, 2015 #20

HEALTHCARE ajara business week

WORLD’S ONE OF THE INFLUENTIAL POLITICIAN SHARES HIS HEALTHCARE EXPERIENCE, VISITING GEORGIA FOR THE SECOND TIME THIS YEAR

F

ormer Foreign Minister of France Bernard Kouchner visits Georgia for the second time this year to assist and support the country to reform its healthcare system.

Kouchner, who is the board chairperson of the Global Alliance health organisation and cofounder of the union Doctors without Borders, arrived to Georgia on Thursday after being invited by the country’s Health Minister Davit Sergeenko. Mr.Kouchner held his meetings with civil society and non-governmental organizations in the field of healthcare.

On the meetings at National Center for disease control and public health, challenges of Georgia’s healthcare and current reforms were discussed.

Bernard Kouchner outlined primary health system as one of the important elements of overall health system he noted that every citizen needs to have access to primary health. Implementation of reform is very hard and is full of obstacles, so Global Alliance will support Georgian government to find solutions and solve issues. The Ministry of health is on the way to increase the quality and access to healthcare.

“I am here to support the reforms and the Ministry. Primary care reform will take months and months, to cover the whole Georgia, but things

are going fast in here much more than in other countries. Georgian government wants to provide their people with the same access, diagnosis and same treatments despite of financial conditions” Kouchner said.

However, B. Kouchner also commented on the project for the reconstruction of 3 hospitals in Tbilisi Georgia, which will be implemented in the framework of public private partnership.

“In Europe, health care is one of three leaders of the sectoral priorities for cooperation of government and business in the framework of PPP. I am a supporter of such a form of cooperation for one simple reason: it allows to achieve the implementation of national level projects in the health sector at lower financial costs from the state. And all this within a reasonable timeframe, which is also important.

Georgia is planning a reconstruction of 3 national hospitals in Tbilisi. And in this situation, PPP guarantees high quality standards of reconstruction, installation of modern diagnostic equipment, staff training, creation of new modern laboratories etc…,” Kouchner noted.

Bernard Koucher ended his visit on Friday and he will actively take part in the implementation of upcoming and current reforms in Georgian healthcare.

9

10

PUBLICITY ajara business week

December 21, 2015 #20

December 21, 2015 #20

GUIDE ajara business week

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

New Year Events In The Hotels and Restaurants Especially for New Year Ajara Region offers a lot of events in the open air, which can be seen in the following link: Enjoy the New Year 2016 in Batumi. In addition to these measures, hotels and restaurants offer guests a variety of entertainment programs.

Information about New Year’s events in the hotels and restaurants is available below: 19 DECEMBER ► Restaurant Gaudi • Live music, entertainment program, competitions and gifts, Christmas cake.

24 DECEMBER ► Restaurant Gaudi • Live music, entertainment program, competitions and gifts, Christmas cake.

25 DECEMBER ► Hotel Hilton Batumi • Christmas Day lunch: 13: 00-16: 00 - Restaurant Pelion - gifts from Santa, tattoo, clown • Breakfast with Santa: 07: 00-11: 00 - Restaurant Pelion • Christmas dinner in restaurant Pelion: 19: 00-23: 00 - Live Music ► Restaurant Lizarran • Band Atina & BekBekson and Latino American dances 30 DECEMBER ► Hotel Hilton Batumi • New Year’s preparations in Nephele Sky Bar (Beer Festival): 22: 00-02: 00 - Nephele Sky bar, live music 31 DECEMBER ► Hotel Hilton Batumi • New Year’s Eve in restaurant Pelion: 21: 00-02: 00 - Restaurant Pelion • New Year’s feast with Berdia, “Tamada” and showman of the evening: 22: 00-04: 00 Rustaveli banquet hall, a band and a DJ, entertainment program with prizes and competitions • New Year’s Eve in Nephele Sky Bar: 22:00 - Live Music ► Sheraton Batumi • 23:00 - festive dinner with a special surprises, Sopho Khalvashi and DJ BENE and Band ► XS Galaxy - Hotel Leogrand • 23: 00-00: 30 Dj Bene (Boom Boom Beach Resident) • 00: 30-03: 00 Ksenia kamikaza (Platz Für Tanz - Riga, Latvia) • 03: 00-06: 00 SECRET GUEST • 23:00 - Famous Turkish singer Linet and entertaining show

► Coliseum Hotel Marina • Unforgettable New Year in Hotel “Coliseum Marina”: Santa and a lots of surprises ► Radisson Blu • Battle of the DJ’s: 22: 00-04: 00 - Gala Dinner in “Clouds” Bar-Restaurant, wine and alcoholic beverages, great prizes • Battle of the Bands: from night till morning, Welcome “Ecstasy” cocktail, alcoholic beverages, open bar cocktail, Party- accessories ► Restaurant lizarran • A Spanish-Georgian show program with prizes and competitions In the evening ► Hotel Georgia Palace • 23: 45-23: 00 - a festive dinner, Band “Black Sea” Live Performance ► Hotel Intourist Palace • Dancer girls from Ukraine “Go Go Dancer” with a lots of surprises and competitions, the main prize three pass for 2 persons in Istanbul’s 5 star hotel, music: Dj’s / Lasha & Babba Genre: Disco / House ► Grand Grill Restaurant • 20:00 - Live music performed by artists from Turkey ► Restaurant Old Boulevard • 23:30 - Vaja Tughushi Live ► Town Grill Restaurant • 23:00 - 05:00 - Singers: Nini Badurashvili and Iago Devadze. New Year’s Eve show will be leaded by Tatia Suluashvili and Tamuna Lekveishvili. There will be an exclusive track by the Band “Mamali Kalebi” (Comedy Show- s) Performance ► Restaurant BK • 23:00 - Ensemble Metekhi & DJ, Evening Host Ninaka Gelashvili and many surprises ► Piazza Batumi • Restaurant La Brioche: 23:00 - Live music performance - DJ NUGO • The Quiet Woman Pub: 23:00 - Live music - Georgian group Asea Sool 2 January ► Hotel Hilton Batumi • “Bedoba” in Nephele Sky Bar: 22: 00-02: 00 - Live Music

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

11

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

12

PUBLICITY ajara business week

December 21, 2015 #20