Caucasus Business Week #184

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March 13, 2017 #184

March 13, 2017, Issue 184 - www.cbw.ge

Interview AMC- The Region’s Largest Premium Healthcare Network in Georgia Pg. 11

Hilton Batumi Excellent Stay Amazing Suites: Interview with Torsten Weller Pg. 5

Keti Bubuteishvili PR’s importance is changing, It has Become the Most Effective Way to Build a Brand Pg. 8 Tendencies of 2017 in Interior Architecture and Design

Back to the Past

Unconditional design does not exist – this is an unwritten law of the design world. Despite creative freedom, which is necessary to attain success in this field, main power of a designer consists in individuality and own style. Despite this, there are rules that set minimal, but, anyway, restrictions on expression of free visions. These so-called restrictions have shaped epochs and imprinted their names in the history (Baroque, Classics, Rococo, Renaissance, Roman…) and these very epochs determine the future tendencies.

National Bank Regains Supervision over Finance Sector

Pg. 6

New Export Opportunities in the Agricultural Industry Georgia is known as the homeland of wheat and vine, although besides these two cultures, Georgia has a lot of other popular crops.

Recently, the agricultural sector is developing step by step. Both Georgian, as well as foreign businessmen are mainly interested in the direction of perennial crops and are implementing big investments. Georgia, with its diverse climate resources, allows the production of various perspective one year and perennial crops.

Pg. 9

Tourism Season Peak and Problems

Frits Ahlefeldt hikingartist.com

Pg. 4

Business sector confirms tourists inflow to ski resorts has increased thanks to new ski tracks and lower prices compared to Europe. However, ski resorts record many problems too, representatives of hotels noted . Managers of Piramida, a Bakuriani-based guesthouse, state that tourists inflow considerably increased at the beginning of 2017, but now the number of visitors has declined again. Georgian citizens are less solvent to spend holidays at ski resorts, while foreign tourists do not visit because of current infrastructural problems. «Problems with road infrastructure still exists.

Ski tracks have been arranged and the development process was suspended with that. There is no other infrastructure.

Pg. 7

2 GOVERNMENT

NEWSROOM Official Journal of EU publishes legislation on visa waiver for Georgia It takes 20 days for a regulation published in the journal to come into force, meaning Georgians will be able to travel to the Schengen zone visa-free as of March 28.

Chinese Company Interested in Building 5-Start Hotel and Golf Playgrounds in Georgia The Chinese company plans to organize top level tours in Georgia with focus on popularization of Georgian culture, wine and historical heritage.

ECONOMY

Foreign Direct Investments up 22% in 2016 Georgia attracted $1.64 million in Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) in 2016, show preliminary data. FDI’s last year were up 22 percent from the preliminary data of 2015, and five percent from the adjusted data of the same year.

Georgia’s businesses enjoy 17.4b GEL turnover This was 15.3 percent more year-on-year (y/y), showed latest data by the National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat).

The value of production generated by the business sector also grew to reach 8.8 billion GEL in Q4 of 2016.

BANKING

TBC Innovation Banking Products by Messenger For the first time in Georgia, clients will be able to receive information on banking products by Facebook messenger, as part of TBC Bank’s innovative service for offering distant channels of services.

Capitalization of Georgian companies listed in London is increased BGEO shares were traded in the “green zone” through the previous week, in the range of GBP 27.89 – 29.63; TBC Bank shares – “red zone” in the range of GBP 13.78 – 14.35; Georgian Healthcare Group – GBP 3.60 – 3.72.

BUSINESS

In January, Imports of Cars in Georgia Decreased by $ 5 Mln This is mainly due to the sharp rise in excise taxes on right-hand drive cars, although the large number of such vehicles were imported into the country before January 1 and customs clearance is carried out under the old rules.

Danish Foundation to Introduce 5 million USD Grant Program for Young Farmers The presentation will be attended by representatives from Denmark and IFAD head office. The program calls for allocating small and medium grants (15-100 thousand USD) to young farmers.

COMPANY

Anaklia Development Consortium Finished Anaklia Sea Port 50-year General Plan The general plan is focused on innovative engineer technologies and making port effective. It is an important example for regional and international port sector.

March 13, 2017 #184

Georgian Prime Minister Concludes Italy Visit

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eorgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, accompanied by cabinet members, paid a state visit to Rome, where he participated in the joint Georgia-Italy Business Forum and met with his Italian counterpart Paolo Gentiloni.

“We certainly hope that this visit will mark the beginning of a new phase. Moreover, we have been assured that our relations will advance to a strategic level,” PM Kvirikashvili stated at the end of his March 8 visit.

According to the Georgian Prime Minister’s press office, Giorgi Kvirikashvili and his Italian counterpart Paolo Gentiloni spoke on the bilateral cooperation in economy, trade, tourism, energy and agricultural sectors and stressed the “dynamic” cooperation in cultural, education, scientific, defense and security matters.

Following the meeting with his Italian counterpart, PM Kvirikashvili, together with Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano, addressed the joint Georgia-Italy Business Forum, which gathered

representatives of around 200 Italian and 60 Georgian companies.

In his remarks, Giorgi Kvirikashvili emphasized that the country’s liberal trade regime, low taxes and its strategic location, have made Georgia “a new regional frontier for investment opportunities and “an opening window” to the economies of Central Asia and the Far East.

“Investing in Georgia requires little legal hassle and normative adjustment. Georgia’s Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area Agreement with the EU - established in 2014 - is of particular importance for us, as it envisions the gradual economic integration of Georgia with the EU’s internal market,” he also said.

“In this respect, we provide physical access through modern transport infrastructure and normative access in terms of free trade agreements. Specifically, we have already finalized negotiations and Georgia will be the first country in the region to have a Free Trade Agreement with China. We also have in place FTA

agreements with the CIS, Turkey, and GSP regimes with the United States, Canada and Japan and plan to launch FTA negotiations with India later this year,” Kvirikashvili explained.

He also spoke on the potential of the Port of Anaklia, “the only deepsea port on the Eastern side of the Black Sea that sits on the shortest route from China to Europe.

Addressing the participants, Angelino Alfano emphasized that the Forum’s objective “is to offer Italian businesses opportunities for cooperation and investment in the manufacturing, infrastructure and tourism sectors.”

“Georgia is a dynamic democracy implementing a number of successful reforms, as evidenced by international ratings,” Alfano said according to the Georgian PM’s press office.

Within his visit to Rome, Kvirikashvili also met with the President of the Senate Pietro Grasso, Italian Minister of Economic Development Carlo Calenda and NATO Parliamentary Assembly President Paolo Alli.

AYFB: Fuel Prices in Georgia Contradict All Economic and International Processes

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ssociation of Young Financiers and Businessmen - AYFB has published a new report on fuel market tendencies. AYFB vice president Paata Bairakhtari noted that the report covers the past four months and describes current situation on both domestic and international markets. The research work has showed that the policy of artificially-maintained prices and unhealthy environment still dominate on the market.

«The first wave of growth in fuel prices stormed Georgian market in December 2016. Since December 27, 2016 fuel prices were corrected 8 times. To be precise, companies started raising fuel prices at the end of December 2016, while all fundamental factors affecting fuel prices remained unchanged. Taking this decision the companies included excise growth costs in the fuel prices (that is, they raised prices in advance). After that, the companies increased prices 5 times before February 2017. By this moment, excise growth has raised the price of a liter of fuel by 15% for companies, but the companies had already raised prices

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by 18.35% in the same period.

Moreover, at the end of January 2017 oil price declined by 10% and considerably strengthened the national currency. After this the companies raised fuel prices twice in addition. As a result, the price of a liter of Premium petrol made up 2.35 GEL. But the more important thing is that in the same period the national currency strengthened more and oil prices per barrel declined on global market.

In February and March the companies changed fuel prices twice again and currently the price of a liter of petrol is 2.49 GEL. At this stage activities of these companies raises many questions, because the national currency has strengthened by about 11% since the end of January, when 1 USD was equal to 2.71 GEL and today 1 USD is equal to 2.46 GEL. It is worth noting that fuel prices have not changed on global markets in this period, in practice, and the price of a barrel is about 52 USD. Main arguments of the companies is that they depend on prices of PLATZ, not on crude oil prices, This is true and the price of a barrel may be different from PLATZ

prices, but this is possible only in a short period of time, because PLATZ price derives from barrel price and it is impossible that the barrel prices not be reflected on PLATZ prices. Consequently, even this argument of oil products importer companies and their lobbyists are useless, Bairakhtari noted.

www.cbw.ge <<

EU helps Covenant Signatories Get Better Access to Energy Data

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Georgian Tea Meeting HACCP Standards to Appear on Georgian Market

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Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway to Boost Commercial Connectivity Between Europe, Asia by June

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Giorgi Kodua Plans to Convey Transcontinental Airplane to Perform Flights from Tbilisi to Los Angeles and Toronto

Editor: Nutsa Galumashvili. Mobile phone: 595 380382 Reporters: Medea Samkharadze; Mariam Kopaliani; Merab Janiashvili Designer illustrator: Ilia Chrelashvili. Technical Assistant: Giorgi Kheladze

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

March 13, 2017 #184

PUBLICITY

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ECONO-MIX

March 13, 2017 #184

Back to the Past Tariel Gvalia Member of board of Association of Independent Directors

Merab Janiashvili Economic Analyst

On the one hand, NBG forecast that inflation would exceed target inflation indicator has justified, but arguments that GEL exchange rate devaluation was provoked

by Turkish Lira depreciation turned out erroneous in several weeks.

t the end of February Government decided to return finance sector supervision functions to National Bank of Georgia (NBG). However, as a matter of fact, NBG had not lost supervisory functions in practice, despite in 2015 Parliament approved amendments to the Law on Commercial Banks, under which finance sector supervision functions were separated from NBG and transmitted to the specially established independent agency. However, Constitutional Court annulled the mentioned decision and instituted exploring its legal capacity. Constitutional Court has not passed a due decision on the issue. Consequently, during this period the central bank of Georgia continued regulating commercial banks, microfinance organizations, insurance companies and securities market.

«At the government meeting we submitted a bill of 17 laws returning finance sector supervision functions to National Bank», Minister of Finance and first vice Prime Minister Dimitri Kumsishvili told a news conference after the February 21 government meeting.

«We know that in 2015 Parliament adopted amendments to the bills that were to transmit finance sector supervision functions to independent legal entity of public law – Financial Supervision Agency of Georgia. Then this decision was appealed to Constitutional Court.

We stated several times that finance sector supervision functions were to go back to National Bank. Therefore, we are not waiting for Constitutional Court decision and consequently, we plan to submit bills to Parliament of Georgia in its initial form that refer to finance sector supervision issues.

At the same time, I would like to note that we are conducting intense negotiations with International Monetary Fund (IMF). The IMF representatives think that the mentioned decision is also very important and positive event», Kumsishvili noted.

It is worth noting that financial supervision functions were separated from NBG in 2016. Based on bill submitted by MP Tamaz Mechiauri and Nodar Ebanoidze to the Parliament, amendments were approved to the law on national bank, under which, financial supervision service was separated from NBG and it was shaped into an independent agency. Parliament approved four members of the agency board. The candidacies were submitted by Government. The ruling majority backed the candidacy of Eprem Urumashvili as the board member for a period of 5 years and candidacies of Ekaterine Galdava, Irakli Kovzanadze and Sasha Ternes – for a period of 7 years. The board elected Irakli Kovzanadze from its members as the board chairman. The

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t is impossible to manage business without considering high standards of corporate management in the modern world.Establishing the best standards of corporate management is essential for those countries which aim to stimulate investments in a private sector and for companies which want to bring additional capital.

If the company has a strong and correct corporate management, it will be successful in this process, on the other hand, weak management will weaken the potential of the company and will cause financial problems and fraud.

Civilized world and international financial institutions recognize and support international standards which are elaborated by different financial institutions and support establishing transparent and effective capital markets and best practice of corporate management.

Nowadays, it is considered that there are 12 basic standards of healthy business financial system: The best practice of transparent codex for Monetary and financial politics The best practice of Fiscal Transparency -International Monetary Fund (IMF) Broadcasting standards of special/general data- International Monetary Fund (IMF) Effective systems of bankruptcy and guidelines and creditors rights- World BANK (WB) Principles of corporate managementOrganization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) International standards of registration International standards of audit The basic principles of systematically important taxation systems (Committee on Payment and Settlement Systems- CPSS) and recommendations for secure payment systems (International Organization of Securities Commissions- IOSCO).

40 references of financial acts special group and 9 special references of financing terrorists (FATF).

The basic principles of banks effective supervision – The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) 11. The aims and principles of securities regulation – The International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO).

The basic principles of insurance – The International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS).

Successful implementation of international standards strengthens the internal financial system of the country. It promotes to create healthy regulations and supervisory system, it provides more transparency and establishing more effective institutions, markets and infrastructure.

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International Standards of Corporate Management

National Bank Regains Supervision over Finance Sector Agency board also includes NBG President and one member from NBG board, who is appointed by NBG itself.

However, financial monitoring office has not operated independently. It existed on paper for a year. Currently, the case has been appealed to Constitutional Court. On October 12, 2015 before passing a final decision, Constitutional Court temporarily suspended operation of the monitoring office. As a result, before the final decision, bank sector supervision functions are still performed by National Bank of Georgia (NBG).

The appeal to the Constitutional Court was submitted by parliament’s minority.

In due time, the issue of separating financial supervision functions from NBG became the subject of confrontation. The then President of NBG Giorgi Kadagidze also objected to this change. On July 31, 2015 President vetoed Parliament-approved bill, but the Parliament managed to overcome the veto and the President signed Mechiauri’s bill on September 10.

President’s economic advisor Giorgi Abashishvili spread information that the world’s most influential international finance institutions suggested Georgian Authorities not to separate supervisory functions from the National Bank.

IMF representative in Georgia Azim Sadikov noted that IMF was suggesting Georgian Government that it would be better to maintain bank sector supervision functions at National Bank because of three following reasons: this decision would ensure 1) independence of supervisory function; 2) tight relation between monetary and finance sector policies; 3) growth in fficiency of the institute by assembling all experts of this field. Based on the aforementioned, we express our firm position that bank sector supervision must be part of National Bank.

The world practice suggests that there are powerful national banks, as major regulators, as well as independent agencies of finance sector that successfully operate. This is the issue of rather economic taste. Separation of finance sector supervision functions from central banks intensified after the 2009 global financial crisis worldwide. Government did not introduce any economic substantiation neither two years ago, when separating supervision functions from NBG, nor today, when these functions are returned back to NBG. The fact is that in the current parliament there are 42 MPs of the previous convocation, who voted for creating an independent finance regulator. And now they plan to abolish their own decision without any explanations. To put simply, similar activity is just irresponsibility of parliament members and Government before electors.

“IMF Demands Return of Supervisory Board to NBG Before the Approval of new Program. Board of Directors of International Monetary Fund will approve the new program for Georgia at the meeting scheduled on April 12, in the case of accelerated adoption of legislative changes linked to the returning of Financial Supervisory to NBG. However, in the case of standard procedure, the procedure will take place on May 15 or in the next month”.

Nikoloz Gagua Deputy Finance Minister

March 13, 2017 #184

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INTERVIEW

Excellent Stay Amazing Suites: Interview with Torsten Weller, General Manager Hilton Batumi “Important for us is to deliver world class service and quality, this is the base of return business”

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eorgians are very welcoming and friendly. I had a wonderful welcome once arrived at the hotel and was very lucky to be part of the great team party at the end of January in our ballroom. Besides the fantastic Hilton Batumi this is exactly the reason to come to Batumi. The decision was made very fast, my wife and I are always encouraged to meet new people, get to know new cultures, taste new food and drinks and even when we were never in Georgia before, we were convinced by reading about it, that this is a great place to be. Our team members represent Georgia in a great way. Friendly, always willing to help and you can feel the drive to move things forward. That is really a great benefit for our hotel.

- Several international brand hotels operate in Batumi. How does Hilton compete with them?

How would you persuade visitors to stay at Hilton, not at any other competitor brand hotels?

- I will only talk on behalf of Hilton Batumi and I can tell you many reasons why travellers should come to us. Number one is like said earlier, the great team.

Welcoming, helpful and really friendly are attributes which our guests want to experience. Also the hotel is an attraction for itself, the ambiance is very warm, and the design is a perfect mixture of modern architecture with timeless and warm components. Our rooms offer everything you expect, we have many suites, rooms with balconies facing the Black Sea and also an Executive Floors with a lounge to relax. The various offers and locations, e.g. our sky bar Nephele.

The views themselves are stunning. The food offer in our restaurant Pelion varies from traditional Georgian dishes to Indian culinary, offered from our Indian chef. Last but not least fresh and homemade cakes and pastries from our pastry chef in our Tandila cafe, just delicious. We are Hilton! We are Hospitality!

Great incorporation of our purpose platform!

- What is statistics of visitors in 2016? Has the number of visitors increased compared to 2015?

Citizens of which country visit your hotel most frequently?

- As we opened our doors in May 2015 we are very satisfied how things have developed over almost 2 years. Business is very seasonal in Batumi and we do market not only our hotel and our services but also we sell Batumi and the region for its great opportunities to explore the wonderful landscape and exciting city life. We develop with the surrounding in a partnership, seeking local support to support the local economy. Also we are looking for talent in Batumi to create heartfelt experiences for both of our team members and guests from all over the world. Many guest from the surrounding countries as Turkey, Russia and Ukraine are visiting us, but also from Israel and other Middle East countries. We strongly believe that the visa liberation process with the EU will help to make Georgia more famous for European travellers and airlines to start with.

- As to Georgian visitors, do you think sales have dropped after national currency depreciation?

- Of course does the currency depreciation not make things easier, but we keep our rates in line with the market. We are now in the process of reviewing our prices, which does not mean they will go up automatically – we adjust according to the market and to demand. We try to market our restaurants and bars individually; reason is that people have high expectations when they come in to a Hilton hotel. High expectations usually go along with high prices, which is not the case. After a visit in our restaurant or bars you should have the feeling that you have had a very good value for the money and I am sure that we deliver this to our local community and guests as well.

- Batumi is the most in-demand destination in spring-summer. Based on the existing number of booked suites, how would you appraise the 2017 perspectives?

- Again I refer for being on the market for almost two years we can see an increase of travellers coming to Batumi. More airlines over the years have chosen Batumi as their destination, looking at the decrease of tourism to Turkey. I see more opportunities for

“Hilton Batumi is a mixture of modern architecture with timeless and warm components”

our Black Sea coastal regions. Important for us is to deliver world class service and quality, this is the base of return business. If we get the basics right, we do a big step into the future. Our Hilton Honors program, the Hilton loyalty program collecting points and miles at the same time, is a great opportunity to market Hilton Batumi and Georgia to almost 60 million members worldwide. There are many opportunities; our cooperation with local tourism office and the Georgian tourism office are very successful.

Having Casinos International in our building and our partnership in marketing activities is another great benefit for our and their guests - As to corporate orders, Hilton has already hosted several international conferences.

What are forecasts for 2017 in this respect?

- We do host many national and international groups, meetings, events and congresses. Due to our worldwide sales structure we are in the lucky situation to have a sales representative in more than 100 countries worldwide. Even our clients are far away we still have the personal contact to, which is very important. This helps us to generate international business. Additionally we do get much closer due to the digital evolution over the recent years. Our Hilton application makes bookings or enquiries very easy and we can respond very fast. Once the customer decided for us our convention and event sales team takes over, we plan and organize according to our guests’ wishes.

With team members from many different countries we speak also many languages, which make communication easier for our guests.

- How does HIlton assess Georgia’s tourism market? We know that Hilton will open a new hotel in Tbilisi too. Should we expect the Hilton Family to show interest in other directions of Georgia’s investment opportunities?

- I know for a fact that from my three weeks being here and hearing and reading a lot, that the Georgian tourism market is full of opportunities.

Next week I am travelling to Tbilisi to meet with many of our clients, government officials, the tourism department and other partners such as the American Chamber of Commerce or the German consulate. Important is that all stakeholders are rowing in the same direction and we as Hilton are for sure a part of this.

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DESIGN

Tendencies of 2017 in Interior Architecture and Design Unconditional design does not exist – this is an unwritten law of the design world. Despite creative freedom, which is necessary to attain success in this field, main power of a designer consists in individuality and own style. Despite this, there are rules that set minimal, but, anyway, restrictions on expression of free visions. These so-called restrictions have shaped epochs and imprinted their names in the history (Baroque, Classics, Rococo, Renaissance, Roman…) and these very epochs determine the future tendencies.

turnkey ready». This principle is applied to all stages interior renovation or «black frames». Initially, we used to examine the facility and then pass all required and obligatory stages, develop a project in 3D visualization format. If clients were approving the project, we were notifying the date for reception of the finished work. The design agreed in the working process was not revised million times. Maybe, the process was easier, because French clients always had time shortage. At the same time, the fact signifies that they have much confidence in professionals. They believe that excessive interference makes them lose more time and complicate the working process more.

Today the situation is changing in Georgia too. Georgian clients show confidence in professional designers in our country too. Therefore, house construction or repair works have grown into a pleasant process from boring procedures. The principle «turnkey ready» is acceptable for Georgian customers too. As a result, their expectations are fully justified.

There is one detail too that was giving special pleasure to me in France. Furniture for a building décor, in most cases, was created immediately for a specific project. This factor provides maximal opportunity for free art. All designer, including me, are very happy, when they are able to adjust any detail, including the smallest ones, such as chair handrail or table foot, to the common environment

March 13, 2017 #184

associate this wall with a transparent curtain that should be removed to receive a joint and cozy environment.

- Today development industry is in the highest phases of its development in Georgia. Many construction projects are being carried out. What would you suggest Georgian customers in this situation? What factors are more or less important in the decision-making period, prior to inauguration of construction works?

- First of all, prior to developing a final plan, we should assess all opportunities of this disposition – in which direction the more attractive view opens. This is of crucial importance to maintain this disposition for obtaining spiritual peace, determine the sunlight trajectory and so on.

The building planning must fully employ all strong sides of the land. If the location does not enable to make much improvisation for construction works, it is better to organize disposition along the east-west axis. In this case, in the important part of a day the light will fall onto the house from south and you can take into account this issue when planning a disposition of rooms. As a result, room, where you need more light, will be shone by sunlight very well.

You should take into account that modern lifestyle has brought new standards in interior design. Space has become one of the most important aspects of this century.

Previously, preference was given to isolated small spaces,

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n terms of architectural-decorative aspects of design, the 2016 tendency implied a slight mixture of modern and traditional styles – neutral colors, geometric decorations. In this respect the year of 2017 also repeats the same tendencies, but this year the more accent is made on such natural components as stone, wood, bamboo, velvet….To a certain degree, effects of unprocessed materials and maximal simplicity are also used.

Mariam Kamkamidze, architect-designer of Tbilisi Business Hub, graduate of Paris Academy of Art, talks about the 2017 tendencies in interior design and her own art.

- Let’s start with the 2017 fashion tendencies. What kind of innovations are recorded in interior architecture and design?

- Let’s begin with this: the Sun is a necessary element for a human being, as it enhances the feeling of comfort and happiness. Therefore, the sun occupies special place in interior design. In this respect, the year of 2017 could not be an exception – big windows, from where the Sun penetrates apartments, is one of the tendencies of 2017. You should let the Sun maximally fill your house and you will never lack for warm and cozy environment. At the same time, severe, masculine elements are characteristic to this year, for example, such as iron, glass, stained glass with black frames, geometric details and so on.

It should be also noted that the office of Tbilisi Business Hub is my newest project and it entirely reflects the 2017 tendencies – severe, but maximally simple style, where colors stress the mission of the office and strengthen public trust in it. We made accents on these aspects when working on this project. These details also reflect the attitude of employees towards their duties and this attitude is expressed in specially selected decorations and green format, which represents an inseparable part of the joint design. I would like to note that each detail is assessed and chosen in advance.

In the context of the 2017 general tendencies, we should note one fact. The modern design has acquired many elements of Japanese style that fits the taste of modern individuals very well.

In general, natural materials are very relevant in 2017 – stone, wood, clay, bamboo ...However, triumphal return of marble to the interior design world requires special attention. In general, marble is an eternal texture that never leaves architectural field and remains in fashion every time. However, sometimes, it is replaced by other materials, but in the course of time its fascination erupts again with full energy and stresses its role in interior design industry.

The current tendencies enable us to use marble in everywhere, in reception rooms, halls, kitchens, bathrooms.

It is acceptable in both classical and modern directions and creates its own characteristic and special atmosphere in design. However, despite we can replace floor tiles by marble on walls, correct selection of marble disposition is of crucial importance so as the given space do not look like Sarcophagus.

We should also carefully select the marble texture. This year the elements of unprocessed material is a dominating tendency in any natural material, as well as in case of marble. Marble surface covered by natural lines and ornamental spots will more beautify your interior.

- Every person gas different taste. Your profession implies that all these tastes should be shared and taken into account, while you should also maintain your own style. How do you manage to cope with this task?

- Naturally, all of us have their own visions for more

comfort and coziness. There are people, who have established attitude to fashion tendencies and they precisely know what they want, but in the working process we also meet undetermined people, who remain in search process not knowing what to expect from us. In this case, the working process goes harder, but it is also more interesting, at the same time. In this case a designer makes new findings jointly with a client and designer’s art is developed before our eyes.

Paris Academy of Art has developed a special attitude in this respect. In the working process much time is spent on studying the customer’s psychology. They think that a professional designer should comprehensively grasp the clients’ desire and add harmonize all elements to the client’s needs. This academy has taught me to determine what a client wants, who has decided to apply to my knowledge and potential. I talk with them about everything in the working process, except for architecture, ask questions that have nothing common with my profession and, in the end, I determine what they expect from me.

And then I adapt their taste to modern tendencies and combine all elements in a joint frame under my own style. It may be difficult to imagine this, but this is my profession – creating individual design for everybody to meet their individual needs and at the same time, maintain my own style and characteristics.

I would like to say that the French school influences my works, despite the working place. Maybe, this happens, because I adore this school, but in France, like a major part of emigrants, I had more patriotic sentiments and frequently I added Georgian elements into personal space of French clients. For example, when we were arranging an interior with wood, we used details of Georgian ornaments and French clients liked this very much.

- You have rich experience of cooperating with French companies. At this stage, you work in Georgia. What is the difference between Georgian and French clients, what are their peculiarities?

- First of all, I would like to note what common aspects they have. All of them are pretentious and they demand for maximum effect, even impossible. Naturally, I joke in this case. As to reality, I would not say the demand of French and Georgian customers differ much. There were times, when Asian style was dominating in Georgia.

Later it was replaced by English tendencies and so on.

However, today the taste of a modern individual fits an acute and harmonious mixture of all tendencies, despite the client is French or Georgian. Even more so, Georgia’s Euro integration process is expressed in this way too.

Initially, in Georgia I lacked for working process in itself.

A major part of French clients follow the principle «

and receive, as a result, one wholeness in terms of design.

And the client is content that environment where they spend every day has been created for them only.

- Despite the above-mentioned, I think you would have faced certain obstacles in Georgia anyway?

- Only problem I faced in Georgia is the fact that it was difficult to gather a team of professionals, who would scrupulously implement my design works in reality.

Nevertheless, I have managed to shape such a team and I can say that today I have an ideal working atmosphere as a designer. I have a team that is able to implement my any idea.

Initially, it was problematic to find all materials in Georgia that I needed. All required materials do not exist in the market physically, however, we are resolving this problem stage by stage. I have seen companies in Tbilisi, which are ready to import any material to Georgia, if necessary.

When I think in this way, Georgian market equalizes to European standards in this respect and there is no unresolvable problem.

- You have mentioned that this year Japanese elements prevail in interior design. What do you mean?

- I have noted that, according to the 2017 tendencies, it is very popular to arrange houses, gardens, balconies and terraces in Japanese style. In general, Japanese style is very laconic. Many people cannot perceive it. People with philosophical set of mind and purposeful striving for the objective under preliminarily developed plan give preference to Japanese style. Peace and balance is the most important things in this style. The Japanese achieve all these details thanks to minimalism.

In reality, the Japanese design style, which is based on features of this nation, implies a creation of a synthesis, tight connection between house interior and surrounding nature. This style of design is especially attractive for those, who appreciate simplicity and they just do not burden their lives because of the little things of life. They find more comfort, when there is as less barriers between the house interior and exterior as possible. That’s why bamboo, wooden ceiling and other exotic materials are used frequently. However, in this case, like marble, much acuteness and professionalism is required to maintain ability of finding a way round and not miss even one excessive detail.

I would like to also note that this element occupies important place in my art. If a customer allows me, I always take into account interior factor when planning a landscape with the aim to integrate everything in one wholeness and balance excessive barriers. In this case, when a wall separates interior and exterior from each other, I

If a customer allows me, I always take into account interior factor when planning a landscape with the aim to integrate everything in one wholeness and balance excessive barriers. In this case, when a wall separates interior and exterior from each other, I associate this wall with a transparent curtain that should be removed to receive a joint and cozy environment. while current tendencies give preference to open space, where the whole family can stay all the day and have free intercommunication.

It is important that all security measures be arranged in advance, including in the process of installation of balcony and attained glasses. In the period of starting construction process, the space may be designed for only amateur people, but this does not signify that joy of children will not replenish the surroundings. Therefore, this factor makes it necessary to preliminarily determine safety measures.

You should pay attention to the coloring for interior and any other detail that should correspond to the taste of clients and fit the existing environment and create a joint harmonious picture.

And finally, every person strives for independence and this is the best way for personal development. However, sometimes the situation arises, when it is better to refuse even this principle and entrust the business to professionals.

March 13, 2017 #184

RESORT

7

Tourism Season Peak and Problems Business sector confirms tourists inflow to ski resorts has increased thanks to new ski tracks and lower prices compared to Europe. However, ski resorts record many problems too, representatives of hotels noted

Bakuriani Managers of Piramida, a Bakuriani-based guesthouse, state that tourists inflow considerably increased at the beginning of 2017, but now the number of visitors has declined again. Georgian citizens are less solvent to spend holidays at ski resorts, while foreign tourists do not visit because of current infrastructural problems. «Problems with road infrastructure still exists. Ski tracks have been arranged and the development process was suspended with that.

There is no other infrastructure. There are problems with roads, food outlets», the hotel administration says.

Ana Girkelidze, manager for Bakurianibased Villa Park hotel, says that current workload is identical to the same period of 2016. At this stage, hotels’ workload constitute 60-65%, she said. «In the New Year period the hotel was loaded by 100%, but now New Year holidays have ended and hotel suites are getting empty.

The season gets a boost in February again», Girkelidze said.

In the New Year period a major part of tourists were foreign citizens, while now 70% of visitors are Georgian citizens, she said.

It should be noted that at the peak of winter tourism season, about a week ago, water supply was suspended in Bakuriani resort. Vacationers were writing in the social network that water was supplied to Bakuriani under schedule and a part of holidaymakers, including foreign tourists, had left the resort.

«In Bakuriani foreign tourists, who have arrived for skiing by Wizzair, left the resort ahead of schedule because of absence of elementary conditions», Facebook users were writing.

According to vacationers, United Water Supply Company refers to heavy climate conditions and frozen headwork facility, but this is a unconvincing argument, because 25-30 degree frost is an ordinary event in Bakuriani and the company was to meet similar situations prepared.

Bakuriani Governor Gocha Gobronidze noted that headwork facility had partly frozen because of strong frost and this fact has caused emergency situation. At the same time, currently water supply restrictions last only 2 hours and the board keeps communication with United Water Supply Company, Gobronidze noted.

“It is true that there is strong frost in Bakuriani every time, but at this stage we had special situation that was aggravated by snowstorm and the company representatives could not reach the destination. During this period only one woman contacted me and told me that foreign tourists were staying at her hotel and she was interested when water supply would be restored. Today we do not have emergency situation”, Gobronidze added.

As to infrastructure, everything is implemented under schedule in the region, including road construction works, he said.

Gudauri Transport problems remain unresolved in Gudauri on this season too, Levan Karichashvili, owner of Trusso guesthouse, noted. It is necessary to arrange a bus service in Gudauri so as tourists could travel days and nights without obstacles.

Karichashvili was talking about necessity of resolving this problem before the season commencement in October 2016.

“We have been long talking with the local government about these issues. They do not reject our initiatives, but seemingly they cannot resolve the problem. Moreover, service staff faces difficulties with transportation. If we employ local residents, we should also provide all conditions so as they could arrive in Gudauri and work there without problems”, Karichashvili noted.

We hope the municipality will resolve the problem in 2018, he added.

Karichashvili also appraised the ongoing resort season and noted that despite deficiency of transport and food outlets, tourists inflow had grown com-

pared to 2016. A major part of tourists come from neighboring countries, mainly from Russian Federation, he noted.

Outpatient medical center operates at the resort for 2 years, where first medical aid is provided for patients, if necessary, he said.

Marina Raminashvili, director of Shele guesthouse, also talks about invaluable resort infrastructure and transport problems. Much money is circulated in resort, but nothing is made in reality.

“Ski tracks are constructed, but all other infrastructure remains undeveloped. There are problems with water supply. Several days ago something burnt down and Gudauri was left without water and electricity. We have our own reserves, but other guesthouses face real problems. There are transportation problems too.

Not every tourist arrives here with a vehicle. They have dug roads and abandoned them and now snow melts and everything has turned into mud. The whole territory of Gudauri has been dug up. Something horrific happens. Foreign tourists also stress this. Everybody is bothered”, Raminashvili noted. Despite the

mentioned problems, this year tourists inflow has increased by 20-30%, especially from Russia, she said.

Tourists number increased because of prices, Raminashvili said. “Russian tourists frequently note that our prices are far lower. Moreover, they are also interested in our tracks”, Raminashvili noted.

Price of a standard two-bed suite at the hotel is 160180 GEL. We remind you that in 2010, when the Government decided to make accents on developing ski resort centers and determined tourism sector development as a key priority of economy, Mikheil Saakashvili was saying: “We will promote everybody. We will ensure larger and faster construction process. We will ensure maximally liberal regime and everything will be in order, because I want to build not new Soviet-era resorts, but new Davos resorts and so on”.

But specialists explain that the process started chaotically and much more time is required for real development of ski resorts and arranging infrastructure. In July 2016 Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili also stressed this moment.

“Development of Bakuriani in terms of land tenure has been finished, in practice. Regretfully, over the past years the development process proceeded in chaotic way. We plan to implement important projects, as one of the key directions of the 4-clause government plan – space arrangement of Georgia and infrastructural modernization. To avoid chaotic development in this direction, it is necessary to create reasonable development grounds”, the Prime Minister noted.

To be precise, in July it was announced that Bakuriani land tenure general plan would be renewed on basis of Didi Mitarbi settlement, which comprises much resort potential. All these aspects create important preconditions for arranging attractive settlements for tourism and space-territorial arrangement.

Visitors frequently complain about absence of entertainment opportunities. Regarding this issue Bakuriani governor Gocha Gobronidze said: “This entirely depends on private sector”. Local government provides overall support to private sector to resolve similar problems and to more develop infrastructure in the region, he noted.

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PR PERSON

March 13, 2017 #184

PR’s importance is changing, It has Become the Most Effective Way to Build a Brand

Interview with Keti Bubuteishvilil, head of TechnoPark Marketing and PR department -What are you by profession?

- I am a specialist of PR and Communications by profession.

-Your first job place.

- My career started in nongovernmental sector. I started working as a media relations specialist for Open Society Georgia Foundation (OSGF). I grained very useful experience for my professional development. The organization had competent director, experienced team and interesting programs.

- Current job and position.

- Currently, I am working for one of the successful organizations and participating in one of the successful projects –which is Innovation and Technology Agency and its advanced project – TechnoPark that is to promote the economy of tomorrow, technological development and create new opportunities in this direction.

-Your first success.

- My first and memorable success is related to foundation of annual tennis amateur tournament jointly with Lopota Resort. In a short period this tournament became popular and one of the successful tournaments due to its prize fund. I think the tournament had very successful PR-communication plan and marketing and this factor preconditioned its success largely.

- Field where you would work never.

- I have not though about this, but I definitely know where I would work in addition if I had time and opportunity – I would work at a village school somewhere to share my experience and knowledge to children.

“

Hard work, good education and selfcriticism. It is also important to work with a team, love people and keep friendly relationships when doing your business

Professionalism, reliability, hardworking – first of all. I think these three components are key factors

- What makes a person successful in your field? Besides knowledge, what special characteristics are required?

- Hard work, good education and selfcriticism. It is also important to work with a team, love people and keep friendly relationships when doing your business.

-Is it possible today in Georgia to study PR, or international knowledge and experience are required?

- Georgia offers some educational opportunities in this field. However, it is also indisputable that there are higher-level institutions worldwide. In public relations you should not be lazy to conduct research works, share experience of others and implement your own projects and initiatives.

- Is PR in Georgia perceived and understood in its classical form and nature?

- PR as a term was distorted in negative direction, to a certain degree, as this word was frequently associated with propaganda and biased media coverage, one-sided coverage. In my view, over the past years attitude to this term and process has been improved and term has positioned its natural self. The main thing is that now all organizations understand the importance and necessity of PR communications – and this factor generates demand for our profession and develops the field.

- How easily can you settle emergency situations and take decisions.

Do similar cases affect quality of the working process?

- Prevention of crisis situations and their resolution is one of the main objectives of PR communications. These aspects are

directly related to our profession. It is difficult to say how well I do this personally.

Crisis management is very interesting and requires an ideal combination of knowledge and skills, effective and prompt mechanism for decision-making.

- If not this profession, which field would you work in?

- I am interested in photography very much for expression of emotions and essence. Interpretation of photo materials is a very interesting process.

- What are strong features of you, as a businessman.

-Professionalism, reliability, hardworking – first of all. I think these three components are key factors.

- What does your employer company give you? What makes it interesting for you?

- As I noted TechnoPark has been building Georgia of the Tomorrow, economy of the Tomorrow. New generation is taking efforts here and conducting experiments.

New business ideas are born here and ideas compete with each other. This is a very interesting and multilateral process.

We have privileges to be ahead of current developments and foresee the future.

-What creates major discomfort in working process?

-Time shortage creates major discomfort.

Time for personal relations is very limited in our century and I think this is a main problem.

- Where do you see yourself after 20 years?

- In Georgia, together with my family members, making my favorite business.

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March 13, 2017 #184

Bank of Georgia Subsidiary M2 Killing Competition in Development Business The issue of ownership of noncore assets by commercial banks maintains relevance. Besides Georgia, many other countries have been monitoring involvement of commercial banks in various noncore activities for many years. These countries have set various restrictions. Thus, this issue is relevant in many other countries, not only in Georgia.

I

n 2012 World Bank (WB) conducted Bank Regulation and Supervision Research and the issue of ownership of noncore assets by commercial banks was one of the key topics.

It is an indisputable fact that ownership of noncore assets by commercial banks destructs economy, even more so in developing countries, like Georgia, because valuable market competition is one of the key preconditions for economic development. In this situation everybody knows that in Georgia commercial banks control a major part of such important sectors as development, healthcare, tourism, educational, winemaking and other business sectors. In 2014 National Bank of Georgia passed a decree to restrict banks to hold noncore assets. At a glance, this is a very important and due decision.

Naturally, any regulations promoting perfect and healthy competition will bring positive results to the country. However, NBG has left a number of gaps that enabled commercial banks to maintain noncore businesses.

Commercial banks managed to easily bypass this instruction of NBG and they formally separated their activities, but in reality they maintained control over noncore businesses through subsidiaries.

Meanwhile, commercial banks have not conceded their noncore assets, on the contrary, this ownership becomes more and more evident every day. For example, the ongoing developments in pharmaceutical market is alarming. Georgian Healthcare Group has already completed a purchase of Pharmadepot.

Competition Agency has already issued a permit to GPC for purchasing a 100% stake in Pharmadepot. As a result, a new pharmacy network will be arranged - JSC Georgian Pharmacy that already controls 25% of the market. Georgian Healthcare Group, which is the pharmaceutical market leader, is a subsidiary of Bank of Georgia.

The same situation is in development business. The 100% stake of M2 development company belongs to BGEO Group. In reality, M2 company is owned

by Bank of Georgia. Naturally, Bank of Georgia refuses it is owner of noncore assets.

“Bank of Georgia has left noncore businesses. For example, M2 has independent management from the bank and it has no relation with the bank. It has attracted financial resources independently from the commercial bank. According to new regulations, naturally, Bank of Georgia acts in compliance with National Bank requirements and will carry out structural changes and consequently, will separate noncore businesses in legal terms too”, the bank representatives noted.

However, representatives of other development companies have different position. For example, Besik Tkhelidze, founder of Atori development company, says there are real problems with market competition.

“Any commercial bank issues a mortgage loan for our apartments. However, Bank of Georgia stands behind M2. Therefore, Bank of Georgia will issue more preferential loans to M2 clients and customers are cheated in this way, because, compared to our company, M2 has higher prices and lower quality”, Besik Tkhelidze said.

It is also problem that commercial banks do not issue business loans to development companies, while loan security conditions are enslaving.

Irakli Rostomashvili, head of Developers Association, confirms that commercial banks control noncore businesses again and in practice nothing has changed in this respect. That’s why economy is not developed in the country, he said.

‘They have changed the shape, but follow the same scheme.

I know that M2 development company is owned by Bank of Georgia. The bank’s function is to earn money by promoting other

business sectors. Let’s imagine that Georgia’s biggest bank owns a development company and considers other development companies as competitors. At least, similar bank will not support other companies”, Irakli Rostomashvili said and added that this issue does not refer to only development sector.

Economist Romeo Saria sees serious threats that commercial banks are able to own noncore assets.

“Many statements were made on ownership of noncore assets and everybody knows which companies are implied under these accusations. Naturally, this fact seriously damages healthy competition, because

In 2012-2014 five foreign companies extracted 34 million cubic meters of accompanying gas at 14 drills, of which 11 million cubic meters were emitted to the air or burnt on Tower and this gas was not used for commercial goals.

the resource is more attainable for similar companies compared to other players.

Georgian development market is very scanty. Consequently, when a big company operates on the market and its financial resources exceed resources of competitor companies, even more so its name is related to a big bank, this automatically ejects other companies from the market, even more so similar problems are not controlled on the market”, Romeo Saria noted.

Finally, both experts and government officials agree that ownership of noncore assets by bank sector is one of the hampering factors of economic growth and development.

It hampers development of business, especially small and medium business sectors and competition. We hope Government of Georgia and National Bank will continue taking efficient steps. bfm.ge

AGRO BUSINESS

New Export Opportunities in the Agricultural Industry Business Consulting Company

IRAKLI CHIKAVA Director

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eorgia, with its diverse climate resources, allows the production of various perspective one year and perennial crops.

Georgia is known as the homeland of wheat and vine, although besides these two cultures, Georgia has a lot of other popular crops. Recently, the agricultural sector is developing step by step. Both Georgian, as well as foreign businessmen are mainly interested in the direction of perennial crops and are implementing big investments.

Georgia is a country with not so much of land and therefore the interest is expressed on highly profitable crops. Cultures with big income require large investments and time.

Recently, several directions of agriculture are actively developing in our country. The basic interest is on export crops. In 2015, according to preliminary data, exports of agricultural products from Georgia to EU amounted 208 million US dollars, which is approximately 30 % of the total exports from Georgia to EU. From the Georgian agricultural products, biggest amount of nuts and wine are still sold on the European markets.

However, since 2014 after the effectiveness of trade component of the Association Agreement (DCFTA), the interests towards the EU from the Georgian Entrepreneurs have been growing more and more.

In the regions of West Georgia: Imereti, Samegrelo, Adjara and Guria, there have been carried out the cultivation of high-quality blueberries. In the above mentioned regions there are already cultivated several hundreds of hectares of blubbery plantations.

Most of them are already harvested. The majority of produced blueberries are exported, which is more increasing the interest towards the above mentioned crop. The index of blueberry export is increasing (In 2014 -150 thousand

US dollars, in 2015 -215 thousand US dollars). The international demand on the blueberry is rapidly rising. In 2010-2014 the blueberry import in EU has been doubled.

Among the berry crops, besides the blueberry, there is a high demand on the production of blackberry and raspberry (thorn-free).

Unlike the blueberry, the orchards of blackberry and raspberry are in a very small amount and their total area is less than 50 hectares. Both Georgian and foreign entrepreneurs are actively cultivating each year the gardens of blackberry and raspberry.

It should be noted that blueberries, as well as other berry crops are having great export potential.

In the export basket of food products, nuts are taking top ranking. In 2016, from Georgia there was exported nuts with total cost of 178 million US dollars. Correspondingly, annually the number of orchards and areas of nuts are rising. Besides the nuts, there is an active cultivation of other nut crops, such are walnut, almond, and pistachio nuts.

During the last 4 years, intensive type of walnut orchards have been planted on several hundreds of hectares in Georgia and amount of orchards are annually rising.

There is a big interest expressed towards the almond orchards. There have already been planted more than 400 hectares of almond orchards in Georgia and the interests of investors in this direction are very high. The almond is very prosperous crop, having a big export potential.

The culture of pistachio nuts in Georgia is recently developing. If the almonds, walnuts and nuts are well-known and traditional cultures for Georgia, the first orchards of pistachio nuts appeared only several years ago. Basically, the foreign investors are planting pistachio nuts and they have found specific markets for its realization.

In Georgia the orchards of nuts are growing annually and very soon walnuts, almonds and pistachio nuts will occupy the respectable place in the export basket.

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BUSINESS

March 13, 2017 #184

Oetinger, a surprise for beer fans spring arrived and drinking beer became far more pleasant in a warm weather. Beer fans traditionally are expecting novelties. The first one this year is Oetinger.

Oetinger, a real Bavarian Beer has been brewed since 1731 with strict observance of the German Beer Purity Law. The history proved that in Germany Oetinger is the most consumed beer. Now it can be enjoyed by Georgian beer fans as well. Unique combination of light color malt, aromatic hop and soft water creates transparent, golden liquid, which along with various flavors bears higher than average bitterness.

Enjoy it!

HOTEL

HANDMADE

3Kauli – Online Workshop of Gold and Silver Ware Burchuladze about the idea of workshop foundation, influence of grand grandfathers and future plans.

M: – Marika, how have you decided to found the online workshop and how many specialists work for 3Kauli?

-I wanted to create something new, which would be innovation in Internet space.

Consequently, we represent the first online workshop that makes gold and silver ware. As to name 3Kauli, I wanted to select something Georgian and ordinary word – SAMKAULI (Decoration).

A total of 6 persons work at our workshop, 3 for gold

3Kauli is a Georgian online workshop that manufactures gold and silver ware.

Toma and Ambrosi Jikias, grand grandfathers of Marika Burchuladze, founder of 3Kauli enterprise, were famous

masters in Tbilisi and they were specialized in two directions: Grekhiluri (making ornaments by wire) and smithcraft (making ornaments and putting stones by hand).

The Marketer has interviewed Marika

NEWS

STARTUP

IDS Borjomi Russia Buys Chistaya Voda Company

Ninimo- Startup of Handcrafted Shoes

IDS Borjomi Russia has bought Chistaya Voda (Clean Water) company, a leading company of strong drinks of Siberia and Ural.

ISD Borjomi Russia is a member of IDS Borjomi International, which owns 8 plants in Georgia, Russia and Ukraine. Information on this deal was spread in autumn 2016. Chistaya Voda company was valued at 1.5 billion Rubles.

Spanish Deraza Iberico Plans to Grows Kakhetian Pigs and Build Farms Spanish company Deraza Iberico plans to grow Kakhetian pigs and build farms. The company plans to develop the project stage by stage jointly with Partnership Fund. As a result, the company will manufacture Hamon product and various meat products from Kakhetian pigs and sell them on both domestic and exports markets.

“I had a notebook in the 3rd grade named Ninimo and it also was a notebook-shop. I drew shoes, bags, dresses, shirts and my classmates bought them with imaginary money” – says Nino Mosulishvili, founder of handcrafted shoes producer company Ninimo.

Nino, tell us what kind of experience do you have in this field?

I am a lawyer but I always loved creating shoes and clothes design. During my university years, I often used to make my own shoes and different kind of clothes.

Once, when I ordered to make shoes with my own design, I was telling the designer everything myself and I was very happy with it. On that day, I decided to start doing what I loved my entire life.

Who works on Ninimo production, which materials do you use for shoes?

There are five people who are involved in the shoes making: Designer, dressmaker, courier and two craftsmen. We make shoes in Tbilisi. We have a place for rent close to my house and there are all necessary circumstances to work effectively. The quality is our priority.

Shoes are only made of natural materials and in most cases; the bottom is made of natural leather as well.

What are your plans in the near future are you going to develop your production or your service?

We are actively looking for a place, where we can open our shop-salon. This month, our customers will already know where to go and order Ninimo’s shoes. I also want to start working on making clothes soon.

ware and 3 ones for silver ware.

M:- What makes 3Kauli a special brand on Georgian market?

-3Kauli is special for its quality, affordable prices and individual approach to all clients. We work only on gold and silver ware.

M:- How does 3Kauli continue the business of grand grandfathers?

– Regretfully, today Georgian ornaments are less popular in young people. We plan to establish filigree technique of Jikias in modern design and restore the color of Georgian Azure. We plan to make Silver House of the Jikias.

Quadrum – Hotel of Shipping Containers in Gudauri The hotel has been built in minimalistic style and is adjusted to local environment. Panorama of Caucasus mountains is seen from wide terraces. The idea was inspired by the mountains that resemble a triangle, consisting of shipping containers, the hotel “Quadrum” is shaped like a pyramid.

The architect Sandro Ramishvili and Irakli Eristavi are the minds behind this extraordinary creation. Built in a minimalist style, the hotel seems to repeat the local terrain, cascading down the mountainside.

The philosophy behind the project was to safeguard the environment from the harmful effects of work and leisure.

While building the hotel not only has the landscape been untouched, but the materials used to build it were environmentally friendly and of local production. Quadrum is the first boutique hotel located in the Upper Gudauri, Republic of Georgia.

March 13, 2017 #184

HEALTHCARE

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Re-Inventing Doctor’s visit AMC- The Region’s Largest Premium Healthcare Network in Georgia

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merican Medical Centers Georgia (AMC) opened in Tbilisi’s Vake neighborhood in 2016, combining the latest in Western medicine practices with highly educated and qualified local physicians. Caucasus Business Week spoke with AMC Group president Alex Sokol about medical care in Georgia and what AMC brings to the Georgian healthcare market.

- American Medical Centers decided to enter the Georgian market after operating for several years in the Eastern European countries. What was the main reason behind your decision to invest in Georgia?

- We see Georgia as a tremendous opportunity for concierge and boutique health services, bringing a wholly unique patient-driven model to the city. We have been interested in Tbilisi for some time and so the decision was quite natural. With its highly educated and talented medical professionals, physicians and specialists, competent ancillary or referral facilities, and a respectable business climate, we felt it was time to invest and expand the model. So just over a year ago with encouragement from the city, the diplomatic corps, and the community, we decided on a staged investment for two facilities in Georgia, with the first commissioned in Vake, Tbilisi,March2016.

- What is the main difference between AMC and other medical facilities in Georgia and what are the new standards that AMC brings to the Georgian healthcare market?

- I would say, quite simply, the biggest differential is our team. We have been very fortunate with our clinical staff here in Tbilisi and in Batumi, bringing together an outstanding group working toward the absolute best patient experience.

As an American healthcare network,with our seventh group clinic opening this summer,we are able to leverage important group resources, not only with management and capital, but also established clinical guidelines and protocols, quality assurance standards, and our insurance and affiliate hospital relationships.

We work with over 40 global Insurance providers on a preferred direct billing basis (a cashless service) and are certified as an official affiliate clinic of New York Presbyterian’s Executive Registry program, allowing our local physicians to refer for elective procedures or second-opinions.We invest in and encourage regular continuing medical education(CME) and workshops abroad. And we work hard to provide a convenient and responsible service for our patients. But the most important AMC differential we feel is the integrity, experience, accountability, and genuine care and compassion of our professionals, the difference in our care providers.

- What are the steps that Georgia shall make to improve the medical services available to its citizens?

- My sense that Georgia’s greatest challenge continues to be the delivery of high quality care in a cost effective way. While Tbilisi should provide gold standard secondary care in specialised units, it also needs to develop a “gate-keeper” approachor access to specialty care through an increasingly competent primary care or family medicine service. This follows that specialised resources, diagnostics, imaging, and procedures are used in a more cost effective way benefiting government and citizens. Georgia has vast rural areas and we believe that promotion and funding of quality primary care can positively impact the lower-density popula-

“

tions. So primary care promotion, CME training, hospital collaboration, standardized accreditation, anddeveloping a truly competitive patient-driven market will greatly benefit and improve Georgia’s health system.

- What are the biggest lessons Georgian medical professionals and medical clinics can learn from their counterparts in the US and the EU? - Transposing US or EU healthcare models is not necessarily the most effective way to improve standards. In fact, US or European systems are sometimes wasteful, costly, and may be ineffective in tackling public health issues such as obesity and poor diet.

Georgian healthcare professionals and managers may seek to concentrate on simple cost effective interventions that deliver benefits across the whole population. Medical Insurance for instance is also not always the most effective way to finance health care. In times of economic growth it works well but still excludes many poorer patients or those with mental health problems or learning difficulties.

Eventually premiums are driven upward and as rates are negotiated between insurer and provider, the patient is often left on the sidelines, without provider choice and most probably without proper care.

I would agree with what many Government officials have talked about in the last year or two and is in fact our AMC model:encouraging broader access to primary healthcare will help reduce unnecessary spending. The majority of Georgians visit specialists rather than general practitioners, even for routine care. Experts generally concur that enhancing primary healthcare would allow the

Transposing US or EU healthcare models is not necessarily the most effective way to improve standards. In fact, US or European systems are sometimes wasteful, costly, and may be ineffective in tackling public health issues such as obesity and poor diet.

government to limit the high cost of hospital-based treatment and increase disease prevention with early diagnoses.

- How would you assess Georgia’s potential as a medical tourism destination? What reforms need to be implemented to make it more competitive as a medical tourism destination?

- Medical Tourism in Georgia is gaining popularity and Georgian healthcare has the substructure to expand medical tourism with its affordability, availability, and increasingly, quality care. So I think there is tremendous potential, specifically in elective narrow specialties such as infertility treatment, surrogacy, dental, or aesthetic surgery.Steps would include regional marketing withgreater government sponsorship and promotion in targeted European markets. Government’s full collaboration with the private sector,combined with the rich natural beauty of thisgreat country, its central geographic location, and a current and historical spa and wellness culturemake Georgia an ideal destination for medical tourism.

- AMC Georgia plans to expand and establish it’s facility in Batumi. Why Batumi is interesting for you and what services will you provide to locals and tourists in Batumi?

- We remain very optimistic about Batumi and the Adjara region, both as an event, leisure, and business destination and in its increasing importance for Georgia. We feel disposable healthcare spending will continue to grow as the market develops and healthcare infrastructure becomes more sophisticated.

AMC Batumi, our fifth clinic in the region, is a 24-7 concierge driven clinic facility, offering family practice, pediatrics, gynecology, and emergency or acute care to the entire community. The clinic offers over a dozen specialists that are available in-clinic or by house-call. Additionally, we are able to work with most international (and increasingly national) insurance groups on a direct billing basis, making the visit to the doctor hopefully a bit easier for the patient!

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PUBLICITY

March 13, 2017 #184

March 13, 2017 #184

WORLD NEWS

13

Quotes

“ All the passion and “Through free trade zones, we make over $20 billion in exports. We are set to introduce an obligation for companies in these zones”

Turkey to introduce lira obligation for companies in free trade zones

T

urkey will introduce an obligation for companies to use the Turkish Lira in transactions in the free trade zone, Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci said March 9, in a move to reduce demand for U.S. dollars by $6 billion. Speaking at a news conference in Ankara, Zeybekci said the move, aimed at supporting the ailing lira, would be implemented “in a few days,” as reported by news agencies. “Through free trade zones, we make over $20 billion in exports.

We are set to introduce an obligation for companies in these zones to use liras for all transactions,” he said, adding that this move would reduce the demand for dollars by around $6 billion.

“We are planning to finalize the work for this move this weekend,” he added.

Zeybekci noted that Turkey now makes $25 billion of its trade through local currencies, adding that the government’s aim was to increase it to $70 billion.

“We have seen a number of positive developments in trade with several countries. We believe that a strong free trade deal will be realized between Turkey and Pakistan. Thanks to the preferential trade agreement

with Iran, our bilateral trade with this country grows 30 percent annually. In 265 products within the scope of our deal with Iran, we saw up to 60 percent of increase in trade volume in the first two months of this year. We have now been in talks to boost the number of such goods to 400,” he said, adding that Turkey wanted to make trade with Iran, Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Council members in local currencies. “Our aim is to increase the trade volume on local currencies to $70 billion. This will also enable Turkey to finance its current account deficit,” Zeybekci said.

Russia visit Zeybekci also noted that Turkey’s swap deal may be finalized during President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to Russia on March 10.

“The two countries’ economy ministers came together. Their central bankers also did. We are about to clinch the final deal. Maybe, we can make it during the upcoming meeting,” he said. Zeybekci added that there was a sort of “foot-dragging” on the Russian side in normalizing agricultural trade, despite a common political sense to boost bilateral ties.

Russia’s Oil Giants Are Headed in Different Directions

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nvesting in Russian oil has become a choice between cash or glory, and Lukoil PSJC looks like the richer side of the bet.

Russia’s second-largest oil producer has watched as state-run rival Rosneft PJSC came to command the nation’s industry -- first by winning control of Yukos’s best assets a decade ago, then the $54 billion acquisition of TNK-BP in 2013, and finally last year’s purchase of Bashneft PJSC. Despite its odd-one-out status, the smaller company looks like a better choice for cash-conscious investors.

While Rosneft Chief Executive Officer Igor Sechin appears set on building an overseas empire to complement his dominance at home, Lukoil’s steady investment in new fields is expected to feed through into rising cash flow and dividends. “Lukoil’s yield is an anchor for the stock,” said Ildar Davletshin, an oil and gas analyst at Renaissance Capital. “The market wants dividends.” At current share prices, Lukoil investors can look forward to a return of 6 or 7 percent this year, potentially reaching 9 percent by 2020,

according to analysts including Goldman Sachs Group Inc. In contrast, the yield for Rosneft from 2016 earnings is set to be below 2 percent, according to Bloomberg calculations based on the company’s earnings. It also plans a second interim dividend this year from 2017 profits.

The divergence between Russia’s biggest producers looks set to continue.

While Rosneft has pledged to pay out 35 percent of its net profit to shareholders, it will continue to gobble up assets.

The company has set aside $9.2 billion for closing acquisitions of an Indian refinery, an Egyptian gas field and shares tendered by the remaining minority investors in Bashneft, according to a presentation of fourth-quarter results.

Rosneft’s growing influence comes at a cost. The company’s total debt rose to about $59 billion last year -- the largest for any Russian company. International sanctions imposed after President Vladimir Putin annexed Crimea and supported a separatist insurgency in Ukraine mean Rosneft is cut off from European Union and U.S. lenders, reducing its financial flexibility.

all the reward lies on the other side of doing the work.

”

Joshua Fields Millburn

“Strategic action and transformative measures will be critical to advancing gender equality and women’s economic empowerment in the Asia-Pacific region”

Azerbaijani SGC Closing Gender Gaps in Asia company sets and the Pacific Requires initial guidance Transformative Change on $1B bond tap Azerbaijan’s Southern Gas Corridor CJSC has set initial price guidance in the 5.875 percent area for a tap of its existing $1 billion bond, according to one of the banks leading the transaction. Citi, J.P. Morgan and UniCredit are the joint lead managers. In March 2016, Southern Gas Corridor Company printed its $1 billion worth 10-year bond, 80 basis points back of the sovereign curve, benefiting from an explicit state guarantee. Initial price thoughts for the 10 year bond were released at 7 percent yield area, but leads UniCredit, Citi and JP Morgan were unable to move pricing tighter before pricing in line with that level later in the day.

The bond was sold at 99.112 with a coupon of 6.875 percent. Demand was largely driven by investors in the UK and US. The Southern Gas Corridor is one of the priority energy projects for the EU. It envisages the transportation of gas from the Caspian region to the European countries through Georgia and Turkey. At the initial stage, the gas to be produced as part of the Stage 2 of development of Azerbaijan’s Shah Deniz field is considered as the main source for the Southern Gas Corridor projects.

Other sources can also connect to this project at a later stage.

Armenia approves plan for using water of reservoir that borders Turkey During Thursday’s meeting, the Government of Armenia approved the 2017/2022 plan for using the water of the Akhurian Reservoir, which borders Turkey.

The Minister of Nature Protection, Artsvik Minasyan, announced that the permits for taking water from the rivers in the western part of Armenia will be reviewed, so as to economize on water resources.

The administrative zone of Armenia’s Akhurian River and Akhurian Reservoir comprises Shirak Province, some parts of Armavir and Aragatsotn Provinces, and one village in Ararat Province.

A

ddressing gender inequality and ensuring equal participation and opportunities for women and girls in Asia-Pacific is central to achieving progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Tackling gender-based inequalities in economic opportunities as well as in access to land, financial instruments and ICT tools would both improve economic growth and support the broader 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, especially in the developing countries of the region. For instance, annual global output could be boosted by $28.4 trillion by 2025 through increasing women’s participation in the economy. Similarly, closing gender gaps in hours worked, participation and productivity could result in GDP gains of up to 48 per cent in South Asia and 30 per cent in East and Southeast Asia (excluding China) by 2025. As this year’s celebration of International Women’s Day shines the spotlight on women in the world of work, it is worthwhile to take stock of developments in this context in the Asia-Pacific region.

Since adopting the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 1995, some progress in gender equality and women’s empowerment has been made in Asia and the Pacific on several fronts. Gender parity has been achieved in primary education and maternal mortality rates have dropped by 64 per cent in the region. At the same time, the number of women-owned businesses has steadily increased, with 54 million enterprises now owned and operated by women in Asia-Pacific.

Yet despite enormous gains in closing education and health gaps, progress has been slow and uneven in advancing women’s economic empowerment in the region. The labour force participation rate of women has actually worsened, with the female-to-male ratio declining to 61 women for every 100 men in 2016 from 67 to 100 in 1990. Compared to their male counterparts, women are systematically paid less and are more likely to find themselves in vulnerable employment with low wages, no formal contracts or labour rights and minimal social protection. In 2015, the gender pay gap in the region as a whole reached an astounding 20 per cent. Furthermore, the percentage of women trapped in vulnerable employment remains worryingly high across the subregions of Asia-Pacific – 68 per cent in South Asia, 47 per cent in North and Central Asia, 42 per cent in East Asia, 31 per cent in South-East Asia and 21 per cent in the Pacific.

Gender-based inequalities in the ownership of productive assets and access to productive technologies also continue to be pervasive in the region. Significantly fewer women than men are agricultural landholders, with less than 10 per cent of women holding land in Bangladesh, Fiji, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Nepal. Women are 14 per cent less likely to own a mobile phone than men in Asia-Pa-

cific, with the gap most pronounced in South Asia. There is also a marked gender divide in internet usage across the region with internet penetration rates averaging at only 39.5 per cent for females compared to 47.5 per cent for males.

Strategic action and transformative measures will be critical to advancing gender equality and women’s economic empowerment in the Asia-Pacific region. Such measures include fostering enabling macroeconomic environments for job creation and access to decent work for all as well as harnessing technological innovations to accelerate progress towards greater financial and digital inclusion of women and girls. Effective laws and frameworks are also essential to integrating gender equality perspectives in national institutions, policies and programmes, including in the provision of women workers with social protection and income security; and in the recognition, reduction and redistribution of unpaid care work. Beyond political commitment, the mobilization of sustained financing, including through gender-responsive budgeting, is imperative for the full implementation of initiatives to empower women economically. Improved disaggregated data will also be invaluable in informing decision-making and monitoring the impact of policies and programmes.

ESCAP has consistently advocated and will continue to make the case to governments that it is in our collective best interest to create meaningful opportunities and decent work for all, regardless of gender. For instance, ESCAP has been working with governments and other stakeholders to encourage the adoption of legal and regulatory measures that remove barriers to women’s’ entrepreneurship and foster the creation of more SMEs by women.

We also actively engage financial institutions to increase women’s access to credit and financial services, assist in developing standards for fair and equal treatment of women job applicants and enhance women’s access to market information, social networks and services.

Several countries in the region are now well placed to make innovative uses of technological advances to accelerate progress towards greater financial and digital inclusion of women and girls. Beyond the political commitment, mobilization of sustained financing, including through gender-responsive budgeting, is imperative for the full implementation of women’s economic empowerment initiatives.

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, it is appropriate for us to reflect on these opportunities and to recommit ourselves to the goal of achieving gender equality so that all women and girls in Asia and the Pacific will be able to reach their full potential.

Article by Dr. Shamshad Akhtar

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Embassy United States of America Embassy 11 Balanchivadze St., Dighomi Dstr., Tbilisi Tel: 27-70-00, 53-23-34 E-mail: tbilisivisa@state.gov; askconsultbilisi@state.gov United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Embassy 51 Krtsanisi Str., Tbilisi, Tel: 227-47-47 E-mail: british.embassy.tbilisi@fco.gov.uk Republic of France Embassy 49, Krtsanisi Str. Tbilisi, Tel: 272 14 90 E-mail: ambafrance@access.sanet.ge Web-site: www.ambafrance-ge.org Federal Republic of Germany Embassy 20 Telavi St. Tbilisi Tel: 44 73 00, Fax: 44 73 64 Italian RepublicEmbassy 3a Chitadze St, Tbilisi, Tel: 299-64-18, 292-14-62, 292-18-54 E-mail: embassy.tbilisi@esteri.it Republic of Estonia Embassy 4 Likhauri St., Tbilisi, Tel: 236-51-40 E-mail: tbilisisaatkond@mfa.ee Republic of Lithuania Embassy 25 Tengiz Abuladze St, Tbilisi Tel: 291-29-33 E-mail: amb.ge@urm.lt Republic of Latvia Embassy 16 Akhmeta Str., Avlabari, 0144 Tbilisi.

E-mail: embassy.georgia@mfa.gov.lv Greece Republic Embassy 37. Tabidze St. Tbilisi Tel: 91 49 70, 91 49 71, 91 49 72 Czech RepublicEmbassy 37 Chavchavadze St. Tbilisi ;Tel: 291-67-40/41/42 E-mail: czechembassy@gol.ge Web-sait: www.mzv.cz Japan Embassy 7 Krtsanisi St. Tbilisi Tel: +995 32 2 75 21 11, Fax: +995 32 2 75 21 20 Kingdom of Sweden Embassy 15 Kipshidze St. Tbilisi Tel: +995 32 2 55 03 20 , Fax: +995 32 2 22 48 90 Kingdom of the Netherlands Embassy 20 Telavi St. Tbilisi Tel: 27 62 00, Fax: 27 62 32 People’s Republic of China Embassy 52 Barnov St. Tbilisi Tel: 225-22-86, 225-21-75, 225-26-70 E-mail: zhangling@access.sanet.ge Republic of Bulgaria Embassy 15 Gorgasali Exit, 0105 Tbilisi, Georgia Tel: +995 32 291 01 94; +995 32 291 01 95 Fax: +99 532 291 02 70 Republic of Hungary Embassy 83 Lvovi Street, Tbilisi Tel: 39 90 08; E-mail: hunembtbs@gmail.com State of Israel Embassy 61 Agmashenebeli Ave. Tbilisi Tel: 95 17 09, 94 27 05 Embassy of Swiss Confederation’s Russian Federation Interests Section Embassy 51 Chavchavadze Av., Tbilisi Tel: 291-26-45, 291-24-06, 225-28-03 E-mail: RussianEmbassy@Caucasus.net Ukraine Embassy 75, Oniashvili St., Tbilisi Tel: 231-11-61, 231-12-02, 231-14-54 E-mail: ukraina_pu@wanex.net; emb_ge@mfa.gov.ua Consular Agency: 71, Melikishvili St., Batumi Tel: (8-88-222) 3-16-00/ 3-14-78 Republic of Turkey Embassy 35 Chavchavadze Ave., Tbilisi Tel: 225-20-72/73/74/76 embassy.tbilisi@mfa.gov.tr Consulate General in Batumi 9 Ninoshvili Street, Batumi Tel: 422 25 58 00 consulate.batumi@mfa.gov.tr Republic of Azerbaijan Embassy Kipshidze II-bl . N1., Tbilisi Tel: 225-26-39, 225-35-26/27/28 E-mail: tbilisi@mission.mfa.gov.az Address: Dumbadze str. 14, Batumi Tel: 222-7-67-00; Fax: 222-7-34-43 Republic of Armenia Embassy 4 Tetelashvili St. Tbilisi Tel: 95-94-43, 95-17-23, 95-44-08 E-mail: armemb@caucasus.net Web: www.armenianembassy.ge Consulate General, Batumi Address: Batumi, Gogebashvili str. 32, Apt. 16 Kingdom of Spain Embassy Rustaveli Ave. 24, I floor, Tbilisi Tel: 230-54-64 E-mail: emb.tiflis@maec.esRomania Embassy

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TBILISI GUIDE 7 Kushitashvili St., Tbilisi Tel: 38-53-10; 25-00-98/97 E-mail: ambasada@caucasus.net Republic of Poland Embassy 19 Brothers Zubalashvili St., Tbilisi Tel: 292-03-98 Email:tbilisi.amb.sekretariat@msz.gov.pl Web-site: www.tbilisi.polemb.net Republic of Iraq Embassy Kobuleti str. 16, Tbilisi Tel: 291 35 96; 229 07 93 E-mail: iraqiageoemb@yahoo.com Federative Republic of Brazil Embassy Chanturia street 6/2, Tbilisi Tel.: +995-32-293-2419 Fax.: +995-32-293-2416 Islamic Republic of Iran Embassy 80, I.Chavchavadze St. Tbilisi, Tel: 291-36-56, 291-36-58, 291-36-59, 291-36-60; Fax: 291-36-28 E-mail: iranemb@geo.net.ge United Nations Office Address: 9 Eristavi St. Tbilisi Tel: 225-11-26/28, 225-11-29/31 Fax: 225-02-71/72 E-mail: registry.geo@undp.org Web-site: www.undp.org International Monetary Fund Office Address : 4 Freedom Sq., GMT Plaza, Tbilisi Tel: 292-04-32/33/34 E-mail: kdanelia@imf.org Web-site: www.imf.ge Asian Development Bank Georgian Resident Mission Address: 1, G. Tabidze Street

Freedom Square 0114 Tbilisi, Georgia Tel: +995 32 225 06 19 E-mail: adbgrm@adb.org; Web-site: www.adb.org World Bank Office Address : 5a Chavchavadze Av., lane-I, Tbilisi, Georgia ; Tel: 291-30-96, 291-26-89/59 Web-site: www.worldbank.org.ge Regional Office of European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Address: 6 Marjanishvili St. Tbilisi Tel: 244 74 00, 292 05 13, 292 05 14 Web-site: www.ebrd.com Representation of the Council of Europe in Georgia Address : 26 Br. Kakabadze, Tbilisi Tel: 995 32 291 38 70/71/72/73 Fax: 995 32 291 38 74 Web-site: www.coe.ge Embassy of the Slovak Republic Address: Chancery: 85 Irakli Abashidze St. Tbilisi, 0162 Georgia Consular Office: 38 Nino Chkheidze St. Tbilisi, 0102 Georgia Phone: 2 222 4437, 2 296 1913 e-mail: emb.tbilisi@mzv.sk

Hotels in Georgia TBILISI MARRIOTT Tbilisi , 13 Rustaveli Ave. Tel: 77 92 00, www.marriott.com COURTYARD MARRIOTT Tbilisi , 4 Freedom Sq. Tel: 77 91 00 www.marriott.com RADISSON BLU HOTEL, TBILISI Rose Revolution Square 1 0108, Tbilisi Tel: +995 32 402200 radissonblu.com/hotel-tbilisi RADISSON BLU HOTEL, BATUMI Ninoshvili Str. 1, 6000 Bat’umi, Georgia Tel: 8 422255555 http://radissonblu.com/hotel-batumi SHERATON METECHI PALACE Tbilisi , 20 Telavi St. Tel: 77 20 20, www.starwoodhotels.com SHERATON BATUMI 28 Rustaveli Street • Batumi Tel: (995)(422) 229000 www.sheratonbatumi.com HOLIDAY INN TBILISI Business hotel Addr: 1, 26 May Square Tel: +995 32 230 00 99 E-mail: info@hi-tbilisi.com Website: http://www.hi-tbilisi.com BETSY’S HOTEL With Marvellous Tbilisi Views Addr: 32/34 Makashvili St. Tbilisi Tel: +995 32 293 14 04; +995 32 292 39 96 Fax: +995 32 99 93 11 E-mail: info@betsyshotel.com Website: http://www.betsyshotel.com

Restaurants CORNER HOUSE Tbilisi, I. Chavchavadze ave. 10, Tel: 0322 47 00 49; Email: contact@cornerhouse.ge RESTAURANT BARAKONI Restaurant with healthy food.

Georgian-European Cuisine Agmashenebeli Alley 13th Phone: 555 77 33 77 www.barakoni.com CHARDIN 12 Tbilisi , 12 Chardin St. , Tel: 92 32 38 CAFE 78 Best of the East and the West Lado Asatiani 33, SOLOLAKI 032 2305785; 574736290 BREAD HOUSE Tbilisi , 7 Gorgasali St. , Tel: 30 30 30 BUFETTI - ITALIAN RESTAURANT Tbilisi , 31 I. Abashidze St. , Tel: 22 49 61 DZVELI SAKHLI Tbilisi , 3 Right embankment , Tel: 92 34 97, 36 53 65, Fax: 98 27 81 IN THE SHADOW OF METEKHI Tbilisi , 29a Tsamebuli Ave. , Tel: 77 93 83, Fax: 77 93 83 SAKURA - JAPANESE RESTAURANT Tbilisi , 29 I. Abashidze St. , Tel: 29 31 08, Fax: 29 31 08 SIANGAN - CHINESE RESTAURANT Tbilisi , 41 Peking St , Tel: 37 96 88 VERA STEAK HOUSE Tbilisi , 37a Kostava St , Tel: 98 37 67 BELLE DE JOUR 29 I. Abashidze str, Tbilisi; Tel: (+995 32) 230 30 30 VONG 31 I. Abashidze str, Tbilisi Tel: (+995 32) 230 30 30 BRASSERIE L’EXPRESS 14 Chardin str, Tbilisi Tel: (+995 32) 230 30 30 TWO SIDE PARTY CLUB 7 Bambis Rigi, Tbilisi Tel: (+995 32) 230 30 30

SH. RUSTAVELI STATE THEATRE Tbilisi. 17 Rustaveli Ave. Tel: 93 65 83, Fax: 99 63 73 TBILISI STATE MARIONETTE THEATRE Tbilisi. 26 Shavteli St. Tel: 98 65 89, Fax: 98 65 89 Z. PALIASHVILI TBILISI STATE THEATRE OF OPERA AND BALLET Tbilisi. 25 Rustaveli Ave. Tel: 98 32 49, Fax: 98 32 50

Galleries ART GALLERY LINE Tbilisi. 44 Leselidze St. BAIA GALLERY Tbilisi. 10 Chardin St. Tel: 75 45 10 GALLERY Tbilisi. 12 Erekle II St. Tel: 93 12 89

Real Estate International Real Estate Company (IREC) Tbilisi. 9 P. Aslanidi St. Tel: +995 32 238 058 Mob: 599 95 76 71 Email: Info@irec.ge www.irec.ge

GSS Car rental offers a convenient service for those who are interested in renting car in Georgia. Rental fleet mainly consist of Japanese made SUV’s, the company has various models of cars including sedans and minivans which are in good technical condition.

Contact information: Email: info@gsservices.ge.

Address: Shalva Dadiani 10

Cinemas AKHMETELI Tbilisi. “Akhmeteli” Subway Station Tel: 58 66 69 AMIRANI Tbilisi. 36 Kostava St. Tel: 99 99 55, RUSTAVELI Tbilisi. 5 Rustaveli Ave. Tel: 92 03 57, 92 02 85, SAKARTVELO Tbilisi. 2/9 Guramishvili Ave. Tel: 8 322308080,

LIMELIGHTTRAVELINFOCENTER Address: 13 Sioni Street, 0105, Tbilisi (at the end of Shardeni Street) Phone: +995 322 999 123 E-mail: info@limelight.ge Web-page: www.limelight.ge Facebook page: www.facebook.com/limelight.ge

Theatres A. GRIBOEDOV RUSSIAN STATE DRAMA THEATRE Tbilisi. 2 Rustaveli Ave. Tel: 93 58 11, Fax: 93 31 15 INDEPENDENT THEATRE Tbilisi. 2 Rustaveli Ave. Tel: 98 58 21, Fax: 93 31 15 K. MARJANISHVILI STATE ACADEMIC THEATRE Tbilisi. 8 Marjanishvili St. Tel: 95 35 82, Fax: 95 40 01 M. TUMANISHVILI CINEMA ACTORS THEATRE Tbilisi. 164 Agmashenebeli Ave. Tel: 35 31 52, 34 28 99, Fax: 35 01 94 METEKHI – THEATRE OF GEORGIAN NATIONAL BALLET Tbilisi. 69 Balanchivadze St. Tel: (99) 20 22 10 MUSIC AND DRAMATIC STATE THEATRE Tbilisi. 182 Agmashenebeli Ave. Tel: 34 80 90, Fax: 34 80 90 NABADI - GEORGIAN FOLKLORE THEATRE Tbilisi. 19 Rustaveli Ave. Tel: 98 99 91 S. AKHMETELI STATE DRAMATIC THEATRE Tbilisi. 8 I. Vekua St. Tel: 62 59 73

THE BEST GEORGIAN HONEY OF CHESTNUTS,ACACIA AND LIME FLOWERS FROM THE VERY HART OF ADJARA MATCHAKHELA GORGE IN THE NETWORK OF GOODWILL, NIKORA AND SMART

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