Caucasus Business Week #197

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June 19, 2017 #197

June 192, 2017, Issue 197 - www.cbw.ge

Business ICC-Georgia Chairman Briefs the Consultative Board of Concentrated Attacks Pg. 2

Agro Business Five Reasons to Invest in Georgian Agriculture Pg. 6

Ketevan Galumashvili: Demand for Business and Political PR Dominate Most of the Industry Pg. 8

Liberty Act Restricting Freedom Article 94 of Basic Law Triggers Confrontation between Businessmen and NGOs

Cradle of Wine’s Impressive Appearance on Global Market «Georgian wine is a high-quality and competitive product, however, it is less represented on global markets», the wine sector specialists assert. Advertising campaigns are not conducted in appropriate manner so as Georgia wine could establish its place on global market.

Georgian wines are less known in the world and appropriate advertising campaigns should be carried out to increase demand for Georgian wines, wine experts suggest. To conduct efficient advertising campaigns, specific markets should be examined comprehensively jointly with their important aspects. These markets should be analyzed and only after this a market penetration plan should be drafted with a corresponding budget. Moreover, state and private sector competences should be differentiated, wine experts noted.

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Fintax - We Create Your Success!

Pg. 4

Business success is expressed in financial indicators. Efficient financial management depend on factors that are to increase the company welfare and capital.

These factors are as follows: • Business planning • Analysis of current activity; • Evaluation of Financial Indicators, • Determination of risks, • Steps for boosting revenues.

• Optimization of expenditures.

• Developing modern control mechanisms.

• Accounting • Financial Audit • Tax Audit • Adjusting business with applicable legislation • Efficient operation in international economic relations • Selecting optimal variant of customs procedures.

• Efficient management of various disputes, including – tax, civil and other disputes.

Based on the above-mentioned, we offer a united package of business services with specific directions: Pg. 9

2 GOVERNMENT

NEWSROOM China gifts Georgia new system for transport inspection In 2015 the Government of China allocated $4 mln to purchase a new combined mobile container/transport inspection system.

The system was installed at the Kazbegi Customs checkpoint at the Georgia-Russia border.

Georgia-Azerbaijan pledge to enhance bilateral economic relations As an example he recalled the increased trade volume between the countries and said that trade increased by almost 50 percent during the first four months of 2017.

ECONOMY

ADB to Finance Batumi Highway Project with 180 Million Euros Batumi 14.3 km highway will be financed and about 200km-long international and local roads will be repaired. The amount of the project costs will be 315.2 USD. ADB will cover 108.19 euros from the project.

Georgia’s Debt to Kazakhstan has Decreased Dimitri Kumsishvili, Minister of Finance signed an agreement on restructuring Georgia’s debt to the Republic of Kazakhstan.

According to it, the amount of Georgia’s debt is decreased from 27.77 million to 25.48 million USD.

BANKING

Assets of Finance Corporations Grow Assets of finance corporations have risen by annual 22% to 43.4 billion GEL. Ratio of commercial banks accounts for 70%. According to the new chart of NBG, annual growth in assets of corporations is around 21.22% (2016, 2015).

Loan Dollarizations Decreased From 65 to 58 % Commonwealth has positively assessed joint events and projects implemented by the Georgian Government and the national bank of Georgia. High rates of dollarization are solid challenge for several countries, including Georgia.

BUSINESS

Georgia’s Air Freight Operations up 48% in January-May Period In January to May period Georgian airports performed 6 739 passenger and 5 380 cargo flights, including 5 380 regular and 1 359 charter flights, up 39.12% as compared to the same period of 2016 (4 844 flights).

Georgian Wine Exports Triple in China According to National Wine Agency, in January-May 2017 Georgia exported 24.75 mln bottles of wine to 41 countries, up 64% year on year. In the reporting period, the country exported 55.52 mln USD wines, up 58% as compared to the same period of 2016.

COMPANY

InterRAO Begins Arbitration Proceedings Against Georgia InterRAO did not specify how much it was seeking in compensation but a source close to the company told Reuters that it was $125 million as of May 1.

June 19, 2017 #197

Georgian, Kazakh Presidents meet in Astana

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resident of Georgia Giorgi Mrgvelashvili is paying an official visit to Kazakhstan.

He met with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and discussed the prospects of further strengthening trade-economic cooperation between the two countries.

“Kazakhstan is a partner of Georgia and one of the leading investors in the country and the Government of Georgia does not spare efforts to strengthen cooperation in all possible spheres and identify new areas of cooperation”, Margvelashvili said at a joint press conference with Nazarbayev.

He congratulated Nazarbayev on a successful opening of the international exhibition EXPO 2017 in Astana, where Georgia is also

presented as a hot tourist destination.

Margvelashvili invited Nazarbayev to Georgia and pointed out that such high-level visits give a significant impetus to further development of bilateral, political, trade-economic and culturalhumanitarian relations.

Nazarbayev also stressed that Georgia and Kazakhstan have great potential for the development of bilateral, trade and economic relations and more efforts should be made to fully use this potential.

“Considering international agreements signed by Georgia in the field of trade, Georgia presents favorable conditions for further expanding trade relations with Kazakhstan”, the two Presidents noted.

The parties also highlighted Georgia’s role as a transit corridor connecting Europe, Caucasus and Asia and emphasised that Georgia actively works to become a logistical center in the region. Margvelashvili said that for this purpose Georgia participates in international projects, such as the new Anaklia port, Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and East-West highway projects.

As underlined at the meeting, Georgia has historically been playing an important role in the Silk Road project for many years and is still involved in numerous transport projects.

The meeting has also been focused on cooperation in the area of tourism. As noted, tourism between Georgia and Kazakhstan “develops rapidly on a daily basis”.

ICC-Georgia Chairman Briefs the Consultative Board of Concentrated Attacks

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n June 13, ICC Georgia held its 14th Consultative Board Meeting at Biltmore Hotel in a closed working meeting that included exclusively ICC Executive Board, ICC Consultative Board and the Chairs of ICC Commissions.

Mr. Fady Asly- Chairman of ICC Georgia gave Introductory remarks and welcomed to the Consultative Board Members. Mr. Asly overviewed the degrading Business Climate.

Ms. Eka Gigauri, Executive Director of Transparency International Georgia overviewed the Realities of the Georgian Judiciary.

Mr. Aleksadre Meladze- Lawyer of Georgian American Alloys informed the attendees of the chain of criminal events that resulted in a technical expropriation of the shareholders.

The presentation was followed by an open Discussion, that included comments, as well as suggestions from Consultative Board Members.

Follows excerpts from the presentation of ICC-Georgia’ Chairman Mr Fady Asly to the members of ICC Consultative Board: “We would like to bring to your attention the very worrying deterioration of the investment climate; since more than a year now, a very large number of foreign businesses have suffered or are still suffering from serious issues crippling their operations that resulted in substantial damage to their businesses and properties. Most of those issues are linked to the courts, to the law enforcers and to the regional governments.

For the sake of illustration we will just name a few distressed companies that represent the tip of the iceberg, some of them being our members: Terabank, Philip Morris, British American Tobacco, KazTransGas, Gardabani Holding, Silk Road Holding, City Park, Batumi Port, Optical Systems Inc, G

BUSINESS WEEK caucasus

The Editorial Board Follows Press Freedom Principles Publisher: LLC Caucasian Business Week - CBW Address: Aleksidze Street 3 Director: Levan Beglarishvili; Mob: +995 591 013936 Sales: Mob: +995 558 36 61 07 WWW.CBW.GE Email: caucasianbusiness@gmail.com

Paradise, Samih Habib Investments, Georgian American Alloys, Caucasus I Fund, Anka Food Switzerland, Basel Group…

The above companies and many others are of various nationalities and the problems they have faced or that they are currently facing are backfiring terribly on the image of Georgia internationally.

We are glad that the Appellate Court has recently straightened up the crooked decision of City Court in the cases of British American Tobacco and Philip Morris; however this whole episode that was masterminded

by Red Directors with the help of “uncontrolled elements” resulted in a very serious blow to the reputation of Georgia abroad.

We don’t remember any period in the past twenty years when so many foreign businesses were attacked simultaneously and this worries us A LOT. What worries us even more is our perception that the government is unable to stop those “uncontrolled elements” from attacking, racketeering, expropriating or paralyzing foreign businesses.

We did hold in the past months a number of meetings with various government officials who promised to “solve” those problems however months and months have passed and most of those problems are still unsolved.

We have observed that there are factually two powers in Georgia, on the one hand a positive and constructive power represented by the Prime Minister and by the majority of his ministers and their deputies who work around the clock to improve legislation, iron out hurdles, and promote Georgia, and on the other hand a negative and destructive power represented by “uncontrolled elements” from both in and out of state structures who do not report to the Head of Government and on whom

government has no control Those are the ones who corrupt courts and law enforcers, who scam foreign businesses, expropriate them, steal their lands and their businesses and there is unfortunately NOTHING that government can seemingly do to stop their destructive activities.

All this is happening at a time government, business organizations and international financial institutions are still encouraging foreign businesses to invest in the country; how can we do that with clear conscience when we know that many of those investors will be defrauded by criminal elements and in total impunity?Shouldn’t our moral obligation dictate us to warn foreign investors looking into Georgia of the dangers associated with their future operations in the country?

Urgent measures NEED to be taken immediately to neutralize those “uncontrolled elements” otherwise the investment climate will deteriorate even further and faster, in which case the International Chamber of Commerce through its worldwide presence will be unfortunately compelled to officially warn foreign investors globally of the risks and dangers of investing in Georgia. ” The ICC Consultative Board is the only body of its kind in the business community in Georgia, consisting of ten ambassadors, three major international financial institutions, and two major international organizations. The purpose of the Consultative Board is to bring together members of the diplomatic and business communities on a quarterly basis to discuss the business and investment climate in the country. The issues raised are subsequently advocated to the government through a multi-pronged approach by the ICC stakeholders to effect positive change in the business and investment climate.

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

June 19, 2017 #197

PUBLICITY

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ECONO-MIX

Liberty Act Restricting Freedom

Tao Zhang Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund

Merab Janiashvili Economic Analyst

Georgia’s current taxation regime deepens inequality, while the Government does not plan to revise it. Otherwise, it is unclear why people, whose monthly revenues are lower than cost of living, pay taxes.

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iscussions of the constitutional bill is sharpening. Special regard is paid to the issue of sales of land to foreign citizens and article 94 (Liberty Act) that calls for conducting a referendum for introducing a new tax (excluding excise tax) or raising the existing rate, excluding the cases under the organic law. At the same time, this record also makes it impossible to transform taxes, for example, introduce progressive taxes or others. The referendum may be held only on tax growth, not its transformation. At the same time, only government is authorized to appoint a referendum. Consequently, public involvement in this process is zeroed, in practice. We cannot control two regions of Georgia, which have been invaded. Consequently, it is impossible to hold legal referendum.

To cast light on the issue for our society, maintenance of article 94 in the basic law makes it impossible to introduce progressive taxes in the country (the poor pay less, the rich pay more), while this is one of the efficient mechanisms for eradicating inequality and poverty. Progressive tax is practiced in all developed countries, including the USA, Great Britain, Germany, France. It should be also noted that similar approaches have nothing common with left-wing views, especially with radical left-wing orientation.

Over the past period, intensified steps by left-wing forces created harmful background for cancellation of this article. The picture is created as if radical left-wing forces demand for cancellation of this article with the aim to increase taxes. This is a lie.

According to this logics, then all the developed world will turn out to be following left-wing orientation. If this article is not removed from the basic law, according to current condition, only excise tax may increase, which is an indirect tax and population pay it. Its growth does not much concern high-income part of our society and it only hits the poor. Consequently, the current conditions protect major business and high-income citizens.

Last week major business sector representatives urged the Government to maintain article 94 in the basic law. In a special statement, the businessmen explained importance of this article. It was not surprising that major businessmen would object to removal of this article, because the existing tax policy provides comfortable environment for them as compared to small entrepreneurs.

The next day of the mentioned statement, several nongovernmental organizations also released statement.

“Our citizens should maintain the existing right – take decisions on introducing a new sort of taxes or raising the top margin of a tax.

Moreover, removal of the mentioned record should be negatively appraised in terms of investment attractiveness and business environment transparency. We believe it is of crucial importance to maintain this record in the basic law for economic growth, attractive business environment and its development.

We hope that the Parliament will not back a removal of this record”, the statement signed by 8 NGOs reads, including Transparency International Georgia, Economic Policy Research Center, Community and Banks; Georgian Association of Reforms. It should be

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- In April the International Monetary Fund cuteconomic growth forecast for Georgia’s economyfrom 5, 2% to 3, 5%.

What is the reason for this?

- Indeed, the outlook for economic growth was reduced, and the reason for this is that the state budget approved in December is smaller in volume than the one we saw in November.

For this reason the forecast was revised.

But there is good news. In the medium term, Georgia’s economic growth will reach 5, 5% thanks to the economic development program developed by the government.

It is designed to expand the scale of infrastructure works, improve the quality of education, diversify the economy, and, accordingly, create new jobs and achieve stable economic growth.

The IMF pays great attention to the high level of dollarization of some countries in the region, including Georgia. The government of the country conducted a number of measures to de-dollarize the economy. How will these measures strengthen the national currency and ensure sustainable economic growth?

It should be noted that de-dollarization is a long process. Taking into account the risks facing by Georgia, the IMF welcomes the government’s strategy to increase the role of the national currency in the country’s economy, which will undoubtedly strengthen the lari and will contribute to economic growth. A decrease in the level of dollarization will reduce the level of Georgia’s sensitivity to currency fluctuations.

All these measures have been well tested in other countries, where an increased role of the national currency in the economy led to good results.

- According to the IMF for 2015, there is a large number of debtors in Georgia 680 people per 1,000. How to reduce this dangerous indicator?

- Taking a loan can be beneficial for both an individual and a legal one, if he has no problems with payment. Accordingly, the amount does not have such a value as paying debts.

This, in turn, depends on how correctly and reasonably they use borrowed money, and how tough are the terms of debt repayment.

Georgia has a very strong banking system that is evidenced by the fact that despite external shocks and fluctuations in the national currency rate, the indicator of problem debts has not exceeded the safe level, accordingly, the country’s financial stability is not threatened.

The IMF recommends the National Bank to introduce limits and proportions of the cost of loans and debt service obligations, increase the motivation for taking loans in the national currency, which will avoid problems during the exchange rate fluctuations.

- What are the main challenges facing by Georgia today, what could you advise the government and the National Bank?

- First and foremost, we should note Georgia’s success in implementing radical reforms.

Currently, Georgia’s economy is the most reformed in the region of Central Asia and the South Caucasus.

However, the shock of 2014 showed a number of weak points which led to a decline in economic growth.

In particular, among them is inadequate production, high unemployment, and inadequacy of the skills of the labor force to demand on the market. To respond to these kinds of challenges it is necessarily to diversify economy and create new jobs, which in turn will contribute to financial stability and the growth of well-being.

This is also vital for reducing the debt burden, the level of sensitivity to external shocks and developing the private sector.

Article 94 of Basic Law Triggers Confrontation between Businessmen and NGOs

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IMF: One of the Challenges of Georgia is Unskilled Labor Force

June 19, 2017 #197

noted that only 3 mentioned NGOs are of economic profile.

Supporters of Liberty Act were responded by 25 objector organizations, including Social-Democrats for Development of Georgia, Banks&Finances newspaper, Association of Young Financiers and Businessmen, Auditorium 115 and so on. Members of the campaign – Constitution for Equality – No to Liberty Act invited Transparency International Georgia and other organization for open discussions.

Businessmen have also joined discussions around Liberty Act and applied even abusive expressions against each other.

“Restriction of the authority of tax administration was an act for developing normal social democracy in our country. Article 94 is an abnormal and unacceptable provision. There is no similar record in any other basic law. Permanent excession of norms by the Elites before 2012 cannot be a pattern for the Future. Many business companies have made excessive statements when opposing a removal of article 94. Georgia is developed as a regional hub between China and Europe and flexible attitude is required for making state investments in infrastructure. Social programs in education, healthcare and pensions systems should be reformed if we plan to continue development as a high-income and high-technology economy”.

«Public development and economic development work together. This is European logics, experience and values. Business associations have made erroneous statement. Vake is not Georgia. I do not want to live in the country, where people do not receive normal salaries and education in regions.

When all business associations make statements in unison, something is wrong. We need new voice with European tone and values. We strive for Europe. Georgia must be an European country», David Li, businessman and director of European Business Association, wrote on his own Facebook page.

Fady Asly has released a response to David Li: «The most stupid analysis I have heard so far. If there was a Nobel Prize in stupidity, it would go to this statement that does not reflect reality at all», Fady Asly noted in his statement.

It is worth noting that Venice Commission conclusion on the new constitutional bill will be published soon. Consequently, tensions intensify around this or that issue. According to backstage information, Venice Commission backs the idea of removal of article 94 and that’s why over the past period major businessmen and a part of NGOs have intensified their efforts to protect Liberty Act. It should be also noted that International Monetary Fund (IMF) has already applied to Government with a recommendation to remove the mentioned article. It is unclear what a decision Government will take, but the fact is that the existing taxation policy damages the poor and ensures comfortable environment for the rich. Therefore, the latter part will take all efforts to prevent a removal of article 94. However, i the government wants the taxation policy to meet modern challenges, Liberty Act must be removed from the basic law, because it restricts Freedom.

“Energy carriers and transport occupy huge place in our trade balance. However, we should also intensify other directions too, including bilateral trade potential. Over the past 4 months our trade turnover has grown and we should do our best to continue this tendency. We have also negotiated cooperation in tourism sector. We believe that the potential of both countries should be jointly employed to increase and simplify an inflow of tourists.”

Giorgi Gakharia Minister of Economy of Georgia

June 19, 2017 #197

PUBLICITY

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AGRO BUSINESS

June 19, 2017 #197

FIVE REASONS TO INVEST IN GEORGIAN AGRICULTURE Agriculture has both big economic and social functions in Georgia.

The sector employs more than half of the country’s work force and for many families, income from agriculture is the only source of their livelihood. At present, interest in the private sector as well as in the volume of investment is not very high. However, there are many examples of successful projects owing to local and foreign investment.

Here are the main reasons for a favorable investment environment in the agricultural sector in Georgia.

TENGIZ TAKTAKISHVILI, PhD

1. Natural Conditions.

Georgian agriculture has favorable natural conditions and resources for agricultural production.

We have 22 different climates in the country, including both cold and dry as well as warm and humid. Almost half of the country’s total area can be used as agricultural land. Further, there are naturally favorable conditions for grain, vegetable, fruit and sub-tropical crops.

Almost the whole territory of the country can be considered as fertile land where a variety of agricultural crops are able to be harvested. At the same time, the country is rich in water resources and irrigation systems exist in almost every region.

Investment Direction: Nowadays, cultivars such as nuts or so-called “dwarf nuts,” blueberry, blackberry and pistachio are popular. They are well adapted to the local environment, characterized by their high productivity, selling price and a core market that perfectly satisfies producer interest.

2. Low Production Costs.

Hiring workers in the agricultural sector is quite inexpensive. More than 60 percent of workers are employed in agriculture. Between the country’s industrial sectors, agriculture is the lowest paid overall. In the first half of 2016, the index was GEL 542.1 per month. This number is much lower as compared to the salaries in most EU countries. Additionally, the local labor force, as a rule, is quite experienced and well aware of the agricultural production process. Most Georgian farmers have been involved in agricultural activities since their childhood and they possess a significant amount of knowledge.

Energy resources required and used in the agricultural production process in Georgia are considered to be low volume. Irrigation water per hectare in eastern Georgia costs GEL 75 and GEL 45 in western Georgia. To compare these prices with those in Europe, it is higher in many European countries: Greece, EUR 73 to 210, Italy EUR 30 to 150, Spain EUR 62 and Portugal EUR 120.

It should also be noted that the purchase or lease of agricultural land in Georgia is also inexpensive and without any limitations.

Investment Direction: wheat, berries, corn and potatoes.

3. After the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) with the EU, Georgia can produce agricultural products to meet the required safety and security standards which would then able them to enter the EU market with a zero custom tariff. Additionally, Georgia has an agreement with China, Turkey and the former Soviet countries about tariff reduction. These contracts simplify product export and expand the market for goods produced in Georgia which, of course, is attractive for investors.

In the process of trade with the EU, sector modernization and increasing its efficiency is needed in order for Georgia to meet required standards as well as further enable the entry of foreign companies into the country.

Investment Direction: Bioproduction. Every day, the demand for bio products is increasing both in the EU and on the world market. A wide range of bio products can be produced by Georgian farmers. Relevant legal data about bio production

also exists in the country. In 2006, the Parliament adopted the Law on Biological Agricultural Industry which serves to regulate issues concerning the biological agricultural industry.

In Georgia, bio products such as wine, fruit juices, honey, various kinds of fruits (for example, persimmon, which is quite popular in European countries), vegetables, dairy products and others can be produced.

4. State Supports Agriculture.

Financing for the agricultural sector has increased sharply since 2012 and the development of this sphere is one of the top priorities for the country. The state implements various largescale projects to support agriculture and increase agricultural production.

In the 2017 state budget, agriculture will be financed by GEL 238 million. Of particular note: low interest agro credit (GEL 42 million), viticulture development (GEL 32.4 million), food safety and plant protection (GEL 22.7 million), modernization of ameliorative systems (GEL 49 million), support for agricultural cooperative development (GEL 5.3 million), implementing agricultural research activities (GEL 6.6 million) and agricultural insurance (GEL 5 million).

Of particular note is that Georgia’s agro credit program has financed more than 700 existing and 150 new enterprises at low interest rates since 2013.

Additionally, the state is actively engaged in the following directions: farmer awareness raising and effective agricultural extension services, data collection for market information, information gathering, processing and effective delivering of this information for workers employed in agriculture sector, compiling a farmer register, etc.

Investment Direction: The state actively supports the development of cooperatives and provides certain benefits and preferences for them, especially for multi-functional cooperatives. The cooperatives need to have sufficient financial as well as human resources in order to develop several directions of agricultural production as well as relevant services for farmers.

5. Agrotourism.

In 2016, the number of visitors to Georgia exceeded 3 million while revenue from international tourism amounted to USD 2.16 billion. There are extensive opportunities for tourism development in the country with foreign visitors coming to Georgia year round. They can take part in agro tours and be involved in local agricultural activities or participate in the vintage process, harvest time, learning to make traditional Georgian products and spend time in a unique rural environment which is both new and interesting for them.

When discussing the issue of agro tourism, a look at the list of existing opportunities shows 102 resorts, 182 lands for resorts 2,400 mineral springs, 12,000 historical and architectural monuments (three are included in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list), 11 national parks, 41 natural monuments and two protected landscapes.

The Georgian National Tourism Administration offers free training for those who want to start up a business in the agro tourism sphere.

Investment Direction: Village hotels, farms, wine tours, historical monument tours.

Rapidly Growing Business Cradle of Wine’s Impressive Appearance on Global Market «Georgian wine is a high-quality and competitive product, however, it is less represented on global markets», the wine sector specialists assert. Advertising campaigns are not conducted in appropriate manner so as Georgia wine could establish its place on global market.

Georgian wines are less known in the world and appropriate advertising campaigns should be carried out to increase demand for Georgian wines, wine experts suggest. To conduct efficient advertising campaigns, specific markets should be examined comprehensively jointly with their important aspects. These markets should be analyzed and only after this a market penetration plan should be drafted with a corresponding budget. Moreover, state and private sector competences should be differentiated, wine experts noted.

The government-planned marketing campaigns, including international exhibitions, provide real opportunities for establishing new contacts, finding potential partners and expanding sales markets, the private sector representatives said.

Several days ago Tbilisi hosted WinExpo Georgia 2017, wine and strong drinks international exhibition.

Forty three major and small winemaking companies, as well as family wine cellars introduced 164 wine varieties at the exhibition. This year winemakers from 11 countries attended the event – Georgia, Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine.

It should be noted that Georgian wines won various medals and awards at the exhibition.

Similar competitions and exhibitions are important for popularization of Georgian wines, Minister of Agriculture of Georgia Levan Davitashvili said.

“Quantity of participants and winners in the 2017 contest is genuinely impressive. This fact proves that the winemaking field is being developed at higher paces in the country. New winemaking companies are founded, cutting-edge technologies are introduced and top quality wines are produced. It should be noted that the jury members are worldwide recognized wine experts and specialists, whose opinion and evaluations are of crucial importance for us and for popularization of Georgian wines on global markets”, Levan Davitashvili noted.

The jury chairperson British Master of Wine Tim Atkin noted that Georgian wines have huge and unlimited potential. Quantity of the contest participant companies grow on annual basis. We welcome this tendency and this factor proves this field is developed quickly and follows the right way, he said.

The Caucasus Business Week (CBW) has inquired what potential Georgian wines have and whether Georgian wines are competitive products on global markets.

Ghvardzelashvili Marani Ghvardzelashvili Marani Company was founded 2 years ago. The company founder Giorgi Ghvardzelashvili noted that the company produces Qvevri wine. The company wines have won an award for the second time, including several days ago at WinExpo Georgia 2017 international exhibition in Tbilisi.

Georgian wines are quite in-demand products, I mean natural wines, he added.

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June 19, 2017 #197

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Ghvardzelashvili Marani wines have best aromas of various fruits. The company produces wines in limited small volumes, because the company founder makes focus on healthy and top quality wines.

“We receive a lot of orders from abroad and they want to buy our wines.

I have a small wine production company and I make focus on quality.”

«We receive a lot of orders from abroad and they want to buy our wines. I have a small wine production company and I make focus on quality. Importers from the USA, Europe and Australia wanted 6 000 bottles a year, while I only produce 3 000 bottles. Importers seek major consignments and this is a problem», Ghvardzelashvili noted.

Ghvardzelashvili sells Qvevri wines on domestic market, however exports small consignments to foreign markets too, including to Sweden, Germany and Russia.

Ghvardzelashvili Marani plans to expand business and produce much more wines a year.

Ghvardzelashvili Marani produces natural red and white unfiltered Qvevri wines of grapes, which grow in Tsinandali micro zone, namely, in the village of Kondoli.

Ghvardzelashvili Marani wines have best aromas of various fruits. The company produces wines in limited small volumes, because the company founder makes focus on healthy and top quality wines.

SHUMI Winery Georgian wines are quite competitive products on global markets, Shumi winery director Kako Tsopurashvili said. Shumi wines have obtained awards at various contests in London, Berlin and other cities.

«This fact signifies that Georgian wines are competitive products and they are represented valuably and perfectly everywhere», Tsopurashvili noted.

Currently, Shumi exports wines to 22 countries. As part of WinExpo Georgia 2017, the company has established contacts with several foreign partners and conducted negotiations, he added.

This year Shumi may launch wine exports to Azerbaijani market too, Tsopurashvili noted.

BATONO Winemaking Company BATONO wines have won 10 medals at WinExpo Georgia 2017 contest. The company founder Zurab Dekanozishvili noted that this fact proves Georgian wines quality is improved year to year. In general, Georgian wines have huge potential and they are competitive products, but a low level of perception creates real problems. There are many countries, where Georgian wines remain unknown, Dekanozishvili pointed out.

«Huge financial resources and much time are required to penetrate this or that market. Georgian wines make advancements step by step. We have entered many countries. Georgian wines are in-demand and competitive products, but prices are low because of low level of perception. I have been working in winemaking field for 37 years and we have made huge breakthrough in terms of quality. New wineries open every year that make focus on production of high-quality products. Quality of Georgian wines grow year to year», Dekanozishvili said.

At this stage, BATONO Company produces about 20 varieties of Georgian wines and exports a major part of products to foreign markets. The company also produces Chacha and sparkling wines. The company exports wines to the USA, Ukraine, Czech Republic, China and Russia, Dakanozishvili said.

Three years ago BATONO Company launched proudcion of Qvevri wines. This sort of wines are not made in other countries, because this is a Georgian phenomenon. Consequently, we will make accents on this segment too, Dekanozishvili pointed out.

BATONO Company appeared on the market in 2004.

The winery is located in the village of Giorgitsminda, Sagarejo District.

Second Tourism and Hospitality Conference within the Welcome to Georgia!

National Tourism Awards 2017 On June 14th Second Tourism and Hospitality Conference within the Welcome to Georgia! National Tourism Awards 2017 was held at the exhibition center Expo Georgia in Conference Hall of Pavilion The Conference was co-organized with Georgian National Tourism Administration and was supported

by Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia and Tbilisi City Hall.

The Conference was opened with a press conference where the organizer and government representatives - Ms. Maryna Chayka – Co-Founder/CEO of Welcome to Georgia!

National Tourism Awards; Mr. George Chogovadze - Head of Georgian National Tourism Administration; Mr. Irakli Lekvinadze - Deputy Mayor of Tbilisi, Mr. Ivane Zhuzhunashvili – Partner at BDO Georgia; Mr. Giorgi Arveladze - Deputy Director of Small and Medium Business Department at Bank of Georgia spoke about importance of the Awards project for this field and development of tourism industry in Georgia.

The latest data of January-May 2017 illustrates that the number of international travelers equaled to 2 329 677 persons which is by 9.7% higher number compared to the same period of 2016.

Following the increase of demand, relevant sectors are also developing in Georgia. In particular, over 170 new hotels started operation during the past two years (which is additional 3 223 beds). It should be noted that in 2017-2019, over 160 new tourist facilities are scheduled to be opened with more than 18000 beds.

After a press conference participants had an opportunity to listen to presentations of the best service providers for the tourism and hospitality sector, found out the latest news of this industry and perceive Awards projects’ current news.

During the Conference the Welcome to Georgia! National Tourism Awards’ organizers introduced audience new Jury Expert Board, new Categories and officially declared opening of registration for participants to fill in applications.

From 14th June till 20 September all Tourism and Hospitality Industry players from all regions of Georgia can register on the Awards official web site (www.awards-tourism.com), choose maximum two categories that best reflect to their business and participate in the Welcome to Georgia! National Tourism Awards 2017 Welcome to Georgia! National Tourism Awards project is being held since 2015 and the main mission of the project is to encourage tourism and hospitality industry in Georgia and promote the awareness of the high-achieving tourism business and brands that create a positive image of the country worldwide.

Welcome to Georgia! National Tourism Awards Categories 2017: 1. THE BEST BOUTIQUE ACCOMMODATION AWARD 2. THE BEST STANDARD ACCOMMODATION AWARD 3. THE BEST DELUXE ACCOMMODATION AWARD 4. THE BEST WELLNESS & SPA RESORT AWARD 5. THE BEST MOUNTAIN ACCOMMODATION AWARD 6. THE BEST SEA ACCOMMODATION AWARD 7. THE BEST LOW BUDGET ACCOMMODATION AWARD 8. THE BEST MICE TOURISM AWARD 9. THE BEST WINE TOURISM AWARD 10. THE BEST ADVENTURE TOURISM AWARD 11. THE BEST GEORGIAN TRADITIONAL RESTAURANT AWARD 12. THE BEST FESTIVAL OR EVENT AWARD 13. THE BEST TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHER AWARD 14. CONCEPT CAFÉ/RESTAURANT AWARD 15. THE BEST MARKETING CAMPAIGN OF TOURISM DESTINATION AWARD 16. THE BEST SPESIALISED TOURISM SERVICES AWARD 17. THE BEST TOURISM EDUCATION AWARD 18. THE BEST INTERNATIONAL HOTEL CHAIN IN GEORGIA AWARD 19. THE FASTEST GROWING COMPANY OF THE YEAR IN THE SME SEGMENT AWARD 20. THE BEST WOMAN ENTREPRENEUR IN TOURISM INDUSTRY

8

PR PERSON

June 19, 2017 #197

Demand for Business and Political PR Dominate Most of the Industry

Interview with Ketevan Galumashvili, PR consultant for GEPRA consulting group.

-Which media outlets do you follow?

-Following media and having knowledge of peculiarities of media outlets is a necessary component in the life of a PR manager. My job inspires me to stay informed about current developments, novelties and tendencies. Business Radio is the best business informer while traveling to my office from home. This radio station provides a lot of interesting news and competent information.

A major part of our society receives news on current developments mainly from the social media. I am not an exception either. Even more, I spend a major part of daytime at social networks. I actively follow several internet portals. Naturally, I also watch TV programs, especially news programs.

-Talk about the difference between PR and advertising.

- This is a disputable issue and a subject of continuous discussions. I do not know why these two directions are compared to each other? They are absolutely different fields and they should not be identified with each other.

At the same time, even if we maximally differentiate Advertisement and PR directions, they have certain points of contact anyway.

This is a sophisticated issue and therefore, I prefer to talk about my attitude to them. Naturally, this attitude is very personal and intimate.

Before coming to GEPRA, I had worked in various fields and offices, both in state and private organizations on various positions: I used to be manager of client relations, quality manager, chief social agent, expert of licensing and accreditation manager, staff selection manager and so on. I have taken efforts everywhere… I have a 19-year working experience!

I have worked for one of the leading advertising companies as an advertising agent, then as a projects manager, a manager of clients relation and a quality manager.

However, advertisement is not mine.

GEPRA – I have been working on the position of a PR consultant for 10 years. This is quite different experience, other relations and other competences. Working in this field enabled me to evaluate my potential impartially.

Working in PR field needs much energy, frequently, night work, even on weekends. As a result, person becomes stress-resistant and tough.

If you once enter the PR world, then it is difficult to abandon the field… The same happened to me – I cannot renounce it! I believe I have selected the right path.

-Would you name the best period that you take pride in?

- My job at GEPRA covers diverse and different directions and is full of challenges. Working in PR field does not enable to relax and we remain in the regime of permanent development, learning and gaining experience. This is not an easy way. At the same time, this is a certain stimulus for me, because I always strive for personal perfection.

This includes irrational expectations and standards that I set to myself and that are combined with intense activity, unlimited efforts for overcoming obstacles.

-Which of your campaigns was the most creative and efficient?

-Forest Week is the most important project. It is my authorial project. I have worked on ideas, slogans, content and implementation ways. Forest Week was implemented by order of the Caucasus representation of WWF.

“

When you are fully involved in the working process and make accents on valuable implementation of the project, make right assessment and analysis, control the implementation process – Believe me – desirable result is guaranteed!

As part of Forest Week, we have also shaped Association of Environmentalist Journalists with the aim to ensure right communication and popularization on environment protection issues.

I would also name social virus campaign - Air on Sale.

Objective of the campaign was to halt environment pollution, ensure forest preservation and reduce air pollution.

Besides sensitive themes such as environment protection, I have a different attitude to this project, despite I have been an author and organizer of other similar creative and large-scale projects (Marneuli Mrinades and Jams Festival, Margebeli Holding Agricultrue Tour, Natakhtari Lemonade and Beer Tours and so on) At this stage of my life, when I was facing serious problems, I had to make this project in crisis period. I put huge efforts in this project and I loved it like my child and saved it. In short, this project is an absolutely different feeling and emotion…. I love it!

-How do you integrate social media with PR? -Along with Internet development and growth in quantity of Internet users, the role of social media rises more and more. Important feature that differentiates social media from traditional media is that its main part is created by consumers.

Information dissemination process has been simplified.

Moreover, social media enables interaction. Users are able to express their opinion on products and services, while business sector receives information on the consumer’s attitude and this enables to improve products and services.

We are able to talk with the audience through social media like a friend, we are able to understand their mood. Public Relations is also a permanent and purposeful communication, this is a dialogue between an organization and a person and target audience, that is directed to satisfying bilateral interests.

-How would you present the results of your work?

-When you are fully involved in the working process and make accents on valuable implementation of the project, make right assessment and analysis, control the implementation process – Believe me – desirable result is guaranteed!

In any organization, control is an inseparable part of the management activities and its importance is indisputable. Control is an objective necessity. It enables a manager to control comparability of the organization activity with determined norms and standards and receive information on reasons of the results upon completion of the work.

Control over the working process is also necessary for feedback and this factor determines efficiency of the working process.

Feedback from clients, management, colleagues plays a key role in evaluating the working results. Feedback ensures necessary information and motivation for planning the further working process. Therefore, I am always ready and open for evaluation, including negative and positive ones.

-What would you do if a client or manager disagreed with your PR strategy?

-When preparing a project offer, I collect information on the customer’s objectives and tasks in advance, analyze

general tendencies and market ratio, its peculiarities and competitors. When all aspects are analyzed and substantiated, consequently, this is a commencement of efficient strategy.

To be true, I have not faced similar radical objections in practice. Maybe because I perform much more job and work at initial phase than a PR consultant needs. This is my personal feature – maximalism and perfectionism. This factor is frequently misused in Georgian reality (my ideas are often stolen). In short, when there are similar «objections», we correct and make certain changes to strategy and project offers jointly with clients.

-What would you say about your team members?

What is their role?

-I can say that today I have been working with the team that gives a key priority to devotion, hardworking and purposefulness. All new projects that we develop jointly brings a pleasant and responsible process. We teach each other, assist each other and we grow in this process.

Successful projects of all our colleagues teach others and they become examples for us, to a certain degree.

-Describe a time you trained or mentored a colleague. What personal features are required in similar situations?

- I will unveil that I am a labor organization psychologist by profession, to be precise, human resource manager. I have certain experience in selection of staff and providing consultations. I am also a certified trainer in communications and have experience of participation in various trainings.

As to my experience as a mentor, I have been GAU PR School projects mentor for the past 3 years. Jointly with other members of GEPRA company, I work on various presentation themes with the PR school students, on shaping communication strategy and preparation-presentation of project offers.

Like any other fields, the position of a mentor requires certain professional features. The key factor that determines quality and success of a presentation project is related to the person of a mentor, his/her professionalism – knowledge, skills and personal features.

Knowledge of teaching principles, group management skills, ability of peaceful, comfortable communication with people, listening and clear transmission of information – these are important characteristics for a mentor.

A mentor should be able to create necessary emotional mood and teaching motivation in a group.

Besides professional experience, PR school has introduced me to many interesting people. This is a very friendly and diverse relations. PR School means relations!

-What’s interesting about our current PR work?

What would you improve?

- This field does not enable to make a break, stand on the same place. You are in continuous passion, searching process, development and action process, always mobilized and concentrated. In short, you are always ready!

There is higher demand for business and political PR. Despite this, PR field is a growing segment. I think that the healthier competition between companies, political bodies and the more they realize the importance of reputation, the more the demand for high-qualified PR specialists will increase. And they will not seek any freshbaked PR agencies, as it happens today.

9

COMPANY

June 19, 2017 #197

Levan Kalandadze

Koba Bochorishvili

Vano Ivanishvili

Fintax Partner - Economist Working Experience from 1995

Fintax Director - Lawyer Working Experience from 2003

Fintax Partner - Financier Working Experience from 2001

FINTAX We Create Your Success!

Business Services in One Package Business success is expressed in financial indicators. Efficient financial management depend on factors that are to increase the company welfare and capital. These factors are as follows: • Business planning • Analysis of current activity; • Evaluation of Financial Indicators, • Determination of risks, • Steps for boosting revenues.

• Optimization of expenditures.

• Developing modern control mechanisms.

• Accounting • Financial Audit • Tax Audit • Adjusting business with applicable legislation • Efficient operation in international economic relations • Selecting optimal variant of customs procedures.

• Efficient management of various disputes, including – tax, civil and other disputes.

Based on the above-mentioned, we offer a united package of business services with specific directions: 1. Accounting and Auditing Services: a) Accountancy service; b) Financial Audit; c) Tax Audit; 2. Customs Service: a) Implementing customs procedures in Georgia and foreign countries (trading countries). b) Typical, quantitative and value analysis of exports-imports items of the country and their dynamics in time. Selecting specific goods for imports to international market, as well as selecting an optimal country for exports product. Conducting corresponding procedures for obtaining «Exclusive Rights».

3. Assessment: a) Risks Assessment; b) Property Assessment; 4. Financial Administration and Management; a) Financial Administration; b) Business Management.

5. Legal Services: a) Tax; b) Civil; c) Entrepreneurial; d) Patent, authorship and related rights; e) Corresponding legal services on criminal case regarding economic crime; 6. Other services of the Company: a) Company registration, reorganization, liquidation; b) Others.

Brief Description of Services 1. Accounting and Auditing Services: a) Accounting Service – Correct accounting service is a cornerstone of success. Our services include an improvement of accounting issues at companies, both single-time

services for a certain period and services in continuous format on the ground of an agreement.

Accounting process is based on BASS standards (Bookkeeping International Standards). Namely, the company refers our employee to a client organization or performs accounting service in electronic format from our office in the corresponding formats (ORIS, SUPERFIN, 1C, INFO, FINA and so on).

Accounting software is selected based on company peculiarities (client). b) Financial Audit – Auditing financial aspects is a key component to determine financial risks of a company, analyze mistakes and provide correct evaluation of money flows for attaining success. In our company this services is carried out by experienced specialists of audit, who provide successful services for both Georgian and foreign companies. c) Tax Audit - This sort of audit is a specific part that implies conducting an audit for correct determination of tax obligations.

For example, there are cases, when international accounting standards are fully protected and financial indicators of a company seem to be in order, but audit outlines absolutely different picture, because of diversity of operations and different approaches for their evaluation in terms of legislation, as well as frequent revision of normative acts.

Our services are carried out by the staff with multiyear experience of working at Revenue Service in the direction of Audit and proficiency in international accounting standards. The services will be carried out both in a single-time format for a certain period and due to various periods. We will assess tax obligations, provide consultations, submit declarations (income, profits, VAT, property, excise, gambling business) and calculations to Revenue Service. Moreover, if Revenue Service decides to audit a company, our staff will join the process so as the audit be carried out in accordance with legislation (tax code, decrees of Minister of Finance, methodological instructions and other normative acts).

2. Customs Service a) Conducting customs procedures in Georgia and abroad (trading countries) Customs House - full package of consultations and customs procedures, both in the country and abroad. Preparation of suitable documentation, filling out a declaration, selecting optimal variant from customs regimes (imports, exports, storehouse regime, treatment of goods within the country and outside, temporary exports and imports regimes, services of transit cargo). b) Typical, quantitative, value analysis of imports-exports goods and their dynamics in time – Selecting specific sort of products for imports in international markets, as well as selection of an optimal country for ex-

“

Business success is expressed in financial indicators.

Efficient financial management depend on factors that are to increase the company welfare and capital.

ports items. Carrying out appropriate procedures for obtaining «exlcusive rights» - our specialists will carry out market research due to the type of goods and provide due recommendations in the process of imports and exports. For example: what a volume and value of imports and exports of a specific type of goods was in this or that period, what are reasons for growth and reduction of products in the given regimes.

Under the Georgian legislation, the body with international trademark (brand) is able to register its own trademark in Georgia at Sakpatenti, national intellectual property center and then register it at Revenue Service.

After registration of intellectual property at Revenue Service, if authorized Georgian resident company carries out imports of goods of the given trademark, but other company also nimports the analogical product, the latter product will not pass customs clearance at Revenue Service. Our company offers this type of services and all related procedures.

3. Assessment a) Assessment Risks – this type of services is a variety of modern services. It is necessary to carry out risks evaluation and determine risks resolution mechanisms for attaining a success in a company. In this case, our company will detect tax, financial and related legal risks and provide due recommendation for their insurance. b) Property Assessment– under internationally recognized standards the company will provide services by auditors, who are licensed and experienced in assessment of material and invisible assets.

4. Financial Administration and Management a) Financial Administration – our company offers a complex package of services – Financial Administration. This package includes both accounting and financial and tax audit, as well as detection of corresponding financial risks. In this case the business interest is to transmit finances to a team of professionals in management, the team which carries out complex services for financial administration. b) business management – our company is staffed by top professionals with multiyear practical experience of working in various directions of business sector (economists, analysts, tax and financial audit specialists, accountants, property appraiser, tax and civil lawyers) and offer a full business management package both to operating resident companies and foreign companies. Management may be carried out for a certain period determined by an agreement.

5. Legal Services a) Tax Disputes – Working on disputes at the Finance Ministry system and all instances of the court system on chargeable funds determined by corresponding draft acts after tax audit, as well as tax obligations charged by the act or/and conclusion (mediation board of the audit department, mediation board of Revenue Service, Disputes Board of Ministry of Finance).

Participation in recalculation (correction ) of funds charged due to corresponding themes jointly with audit service of our company. b) Civil Disputes – this service includes an appointment of representatives for physical and legal bodies at Georgian courts or in relation to third bodies, including on disputes

on agreement obligations, disputes on movable and immovable property and so on.

We also prepare agreements, participate in business negotiations, found entrepreneurial bodies and prepare required documents, minutes, agreements, legal conclusions. c) Commercial Law service includes such fields as a development of commercial contracts, competition law, intellectual law and corporate services: We offer a full package of legal services for medium and major projects. This includes the conducting of preliminary research and preparatory works, development of base legal documents and representation before potential partners, government offices and so on.

Real Estate Real estate services comprise: - Construction -Planning of construction works and environment protection issues; -Planning of construction works; -Hotels -Legal proceedings regarding property rights; -Ownership/employment of land Regulation Issues The service includes a wide range of competition law and consultations over tenders and trade regulations.

Patent, Authorship and Related Rights – comprises an implementation and protection of rights under Georgian Law on Patent and Georgian Law on Authorship and Related Rights, ensures a representation for physical and legal bodies, and nonresident bodies of Georgia, before administrative bodies and the third bodies and in courts. d) Criminal case related to Economic Crimes – legal services a) regarding services mentioned in article a) our company also provides services related to criminal case. For example: if a tax body imposes certain tax obligations related to a criminal case under the applicable legislation.

In this case, we will provide complex services, namely: our lawyers and auditors conduct disputes on determined tax liabilities in the Finance Ministry system and court, and in parallel regime we will control proceedings at the the Finance Ministry investigation department and Prosecutor’s Office.

6. Other services of the company: a) Registration, Reorganization, Bankruptcy, Liquidation of a Company – Our lawyers will carry out all legal procedures stating from a registration of business body and ending with a liquidation of a company.

It should be noted that a reorganization, bankruptcy and liquidation of a company requires specific practical experience. Our lawyers working in this direction will provide a full analysis of operations jointly with auditors and provide corresponding recommendations for bankruptcy, reorganization or liquidation of a company. b) Other Services – our company offers such services for business related activities as participation in state tenders, real estate registration, preparing suitable questions for taking «preliminary decision» at Revenue Service ( operation, when normative act has not provided precise assessment.

In this case, a preliminary decision-assessment may be issued and the business can follow this decision, which has a legal force in the auditing process).

10

BUSINESS

June 19, 2017 #197

Completion of the First Phase of Anaklia Deep Sea Port to Create 2000 Jobs

Natalie’s Bookmarks For Book Lovers

Completion of the first phase of Anaklia Deep Sea Port will result in creating 300-500 jobs according to the prediction of environmental influence estimation document which was prepared by Royal Haskoning.

Local people who will decide to apply for the job, Anaklia Development Consortium will help them to get a proper workplace in the construction field. In addition, emigrants will be employed as well.

Increased employment will indirectly influence on the income and expenses of the local community.

As for the employment after the first phase of Anaklia Deep Sea Port Construction is completed, there will be 320 new jobs at the harbor. Besides, there is a potential of transportation demand (e.g. Driving trucks, provision), which will create about 1700 jobs at the sea-side.

Natalie’s Bookmarks became available for book lovers a week ago. The slogan of startup is “Don’t fold it, use a bookmark”. You can already buy bookmarks in 10 Biblus shops.

The founder of the startup, Natali Enukidze talks about the future plans and development strategies in the interview.

Why did decide to create this startup and did you have an experience in this field?

I decided to create this startup because it’s a necessary and essential accessory for me and other book lovers. I always used bookmark while reading books and I decided to create something that would be convenient for me.

They are very beautiful and create a good mood. You don’t even have a wish to fold the book. My product is different from other bookmarks because of the shape and the titles on it.

My bookmarks have non-commercial titles sending a positive message.

At present, we have only one design but in the future, I want to add more choices and I’m already working for it. Besides, I’m going to sell my bookmarks in touristic shops which will be focused on promoting Georgian culture. The price of the bookmark amounts to 1 GEL.

Two Warehouses to Be Built in Georgia Upon German Projects for $153m

Vinti- Startup Georgia Winner Project for International Transportation

Logistics centers with a total investment value of $153 million will be established in the German cities of Tbilisi and Kutaisi. According to the feasibility study of the logistics centers’ construction developed by the German company Dornier Consulting International, the sites near the village of Kumisi in the vicinity of Tbilisi and near Kutaisi international airport has been selected for the projects’ implementation.

In particular, for each logistics center, business models have been prepared, the market analysis has been carried out, as well as their impact on the environment has been assessed. The total cost of building of a Tbilisi logistics center is estimated at $80.3 million (the first stage will cost $60.7 million), and Kutaisi logistics center is estimated at $72.5 million, with the first phase worth $27.1 million.

Company Vinti was established to provide simpler and more effective communication for those, involved in international transportation. In 2016, Iva Kontridze, Davit Chkuaseli, Tengiz Alpenidze and Mindia Chubinidze were granted with 67000 GEL to implement the project.

Vinti application offers high technology services to customers and enables them to contact people involved in transportation. As a result, they spare time, energy and financial recourses. Currently, Vinti has two directions: Vinti searching system and Vinti assistant. One of the founders, Davit Chkuaseli talks about the important of both directions and the goals of the company.

It’s been a month and a half since you launched Vinti application. How many cars are available during the day in Vinti application on average and what kind of rate is it compared to the applications of other countries?

There are 70-80 cars available during the day on average. If we compare similar Vinti applica-

Bon Repas -Tbilisi New Cafe with an Unique Concept Bon Repas is a new cafe with a delicious lunch menu and an unique concept.After the US, Great Britain and many other European countries, Bon Repas has been launched in Georgia. There is everything you need to relax and enjoy food at Bon Repas: Sandwiches, salads, soups, fruit salads, croissants, Italian coffee, British tea, cakes will fill you with a lot of energy. Bon Repas offers healthy food with calories tag on it which helps customers to maintain their healthy diet. Most importantly, all the products in the cafe are fresh.

The main concept of Bon Repas is to offer healthy food to the customers. The main slogan of the cafe is “We don’t serve fast food; we offer healthy food as fast as possible”. Lunch menu includes both salads and soups.

The location is very convenient on Marjanishvili Street and it is easily reachable for many people.

tions in Ukraine and Russia, there are 150-200 cars registered which is a result of 10-12 years of experience. Considering it’s a new website, there are 200 customers registered which is a good start.

How did you present your project to companies and customers who are registered at your website and using application?

Considering our recourses, we used our grant for web development and created application, therefore, we didn’t have marketing strategies. We had an agreement with them before.

We contacted transportation companies directly and in other cases, sales managers helped us.

What are your future plans of the company?

In the future, we are planning to add cargo adding function.

The customers will upload announcement about cargo (with specific information).

All registered companies will be able to see this information and cargo owner will get offers from them which is comfortable, increases competition and decreases prices.

Tamar Menteshashvili, 24-year-old Georgian Researcher, to Establish Blockchain Technology Research Center in China Tamar Menteshashvili is a researcher at Jiao Tong university in Shanghai. She has been working on financial innovations and plans to continue doctoral studies at the same university.

Having graduated from Free University law school in Georgia, she continued MA degree studies at the faculty of bank law and finances of Edinburgh University.

“Despite I had experience of working in various sectors in Georgia, in Edinburgh I had to pick up foundations of such fields that are not taught in Georgia at a BA level. Edinburgh is the world’s leading university and it provides all opportunities to have access to all necessary resources. For one year I had the opportunity to receive knowledge and acquire valuable contacts in various parts of the world”, Tamar Menteshashvili said.

Along with studies at Edinburgh university, the Georgian researcher has worked on the position of a supervisor of inter-

national students for 9 months.

“Edinburgh University offers this vacancy to students on annual basis. Interested students are able to participate in the competition. Having passed several phases, I was employed on the mentioned position and I used to assist students in resolving any problems with studies or integration in social environment”, Tamar Menteshashvili said.

Having obtained MA degree at Edinburgh University, Tamar Menteshashvili was invited to Jiao Tang University, by recommendation of Edinburgh University, for continuation of her research work on financial innovations.

“Initially, I planned to stay in China for one semester, however, this period was extended to two semesters and now I have the opportunity to continue my doctoral thesis at this university, as well as to establish and manage a blockchain technology research center and work on issues related to this technology”, Tamar Menteshashvili noted.

11

June 19, 2017 #197

Natakhtari Fund and the Georgian Coalition for Children and Youth signed a memorandum of cooperation on June 9. The document was signed by Nikoloz Khundzakishvili, Director of Corporate Affairs at Natakhtari Company and Maya Mgeliashvili, Head of the Board at Children and Youth Coalition.

Natakhtari Fund, Coalition for Children & Youth Sign Cooperation Memorandum

T

he cooperation aims at supporting youth who find themselves out of the state care system, to ensure they have enough financial means to start living independently. With joint efforts from Natakhtari Fund and the Coalition for Children and Youth, a mechanism enabling local authorities to assist and strengthen youth outside the care system is to be created.

The advocacy campaign entails collaborating with the local and central authorities to ensure the recommendations implemented are being met. A media workshop will be organized in the framework of the campaign, alongside working meetings for interested parties and active advocacy campaigns for municipality budgets to support vulnerable children

state care institution system every year in each region of the country.

“We hope that, together with the 42 organizations united at the Coalition for Children and Youth, and with our extensive experience and expertise in advocacy, we will have the opportunity to protect the vulnerable groups from falling into criminal system, assisting them to be well equipped, and supporting them in problem-solving problems as they enter their adult lives,” said Mgeliashvili prior to the signing of the memorandum of cooperation.

“We hope to achieve sustainable, long-term results in changing the system”.

An example of case studies was presented by Nino Chitanava, the Coordinator of the fourth

and youth.

Within the framework of the signed cooperation agreement, legislative-financial instruction, a guideline for use of available resources and an appeal for funds to address the needs of vulnerable children and youth groups will be designed.

“Advocating for the support of vulnerable children and youth is a critical issue that needs to be addressed and that’s why we decided to join efforts,” Khundzakishvili said at the event.

Established in November 2011, the Natakhtari Fund launched the “Care the Future” charity project. With GEL 747,857 collected in five years, fund enabled provision of educational and employment assistance services to 307 beneficiaries.

The project is realized in partnership with NGO Our HouseGeorgia, and with the support of the Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II. In the years 2016-2017 alone, the fund assisted 158 beneficiaries (GEL160.000).

Through the Care for the Future project, 131 beneficiaries found employment, 256 acquired different professional skills, 102 were assisted in learning school subjects, 25 beneficiaries got their driving licenses and 89 got scholarships and apartment rental.

According to the statistics, five to six young people leave the

working group at the Coalition for Children and Youth, identifying the major challenges faced by vulnerable groups of youngsters at the age of 18.

The non-existence of proper housing, unsuitable physical environment for living, limited access to education, unemployment, lack of competitiveness, health issues, limited socialization, stigma related to the fact of being raised in the care system, non-existence of social support networks, and the lack of social skills such as self-confidence, leadership, communication, advocacy were named as the defining factors in marginalization of vulnerable children and youth groups in Georgia.

“The systematic approach we’re implementing and are willing to conceptualize is also applicable to children and youth with special needs,” Mgeliashvili said.

“The main problem is that these youngsters don’t have a chance to acquire education and employment. At the age of 18, they are left all on their own with no means. When we started the program, back in 2011, our main objective was to help the ones who had already left the state care institutions.

We’re assisting them to the point when they can take care of themselves,” said Nikoloz Khundzakishvili.

Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis: When Even the Little Things are Hard Aphoto project presentation was organized by The Union of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis in New Mziuri, within the framework of an information campaign called Everything is in our Hands. The aim of the event is to raise awareness and spread information about the disease, in order to support early diagnosis and provide adequate treatment on time.

Author of the photos, Goga Chanadiri, depicted the daily life of suffering patients, those simple everyday activities which are so difficult for them to do and that often require great effort.

“My goal was to support raising awareness of RA,” Goga Chanadiri, photographer and supporter told us.

“I used photography as a medium to depict the patients so that only their hands would be visible, I wanted to show the society that they also have the right to cuddle their children and grandchildren, play the piano, water the plants, etc. We can’t sacrifice these people to this disease- we should give them the joy of life.”

Inga Mamuchishvili, the Head of the Union of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Patients, the founders Marina Sagaradze and Rusudan Ediberidze and other supporters, addressed the audience and communicated the severity of the disease and accompanying problems. The communicational support of the campaign was conducted by Gepra.

The presentation was also attended by healthcare officials, representatives of medical institutions, doctors, patients and other parties.

Irakli Pavlenishvili, Chairman the Commission of Health Care and Social Issues of Tbilisi City Assembly: “Rheumatoid Arthritis and joint diseases in general are a very serious problem, widely spread throughout the world. The daily burden of the disease is depicted in these photos. If the treatment is not conducted purposefully, it can lead to deplorable results as the disease can develop into a disability. However, timely treatment gives effective outcomes.

Days like today are highly welcomed, since drawing attention to problems brings hope and results. The activity and involvement of society is highly important as it plays a crucial role; of course, government should be and is responsible for supporting the

treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, for example, children under 18 are fully financed in Georgia. The disease is progressive and is almost incurable, though it can be regulated as a result of well-timed medical interference.

Today, we have biological medication which is very effective, but very expensive at the same time, thus is poorly available”.

It is an issue Tbilisi City Hall has been working on as it gathers data and analyzes potential funding. It is already financing three large projects: breast cancer, with a metastatic Herceptin program; an Autism program, working with up to 700 children, and a program of bone marrow transplantation worth about GEL 10 million.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, progressive, auto-immune disease that causes joint swelling, damage and ultimately leads to the disability of the patient. Statistical data suggests that every hundredth person in the world suffers from the disease.

The incidence of disease among women is three times higher than in men. Rheumatoid arthritis may begin at any age but occurs mostly in people aged 35 to 50.

Rheumatoid arthritis may damage all joints, but affects mostly that of hands, legs and wrists. The progressive damage is accompanied by a person’s continuously decreasing ability to work and move independently.

RA patients are unable to conduct such simple activities as for instance combing their hair, walking up stairs, cooking, etc. In developing countries, more than half of patients lose their job and sources of income just 10 years after diagnosis.

RA patients may experience systematic complications like cardiovascular or lung diseases, osteoporosis, anemia etc. RA patients’ life span may decrease by 5-10 years. Early diagnosis and treatment hinders disease progression and prevents irrevocable damage to joints. However, unfortunately in Georgia, most of the diagnosed patients are unable to receive adequate treatment because of lack of financial stability for medication.

Inga Mamuchishvili: “I’m a pediatrician and RA patient. I was diagnosed in 2011 and at the time thought my life was over, as even the easiest things seemed very difficult for me.

I couldn’t even lift a glass with my

hand, walk, or go to work, where about 20-25 children were waiting for me daily. I began treatment which proved completely fruitless.

Yet when I started treatment with biological medication, the disease quickly moved into remission. These drugs are needed on a continuous basis and are very expensive. The disease is incurable, and sufferers need them in order not to develop deformations, not to become disabled, or chained to a wheelchair.

However, the medication is almost unavailable for ordinary people.

Thus, we founded the Union of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and call on every institution which can stand beside us to get involved.”

Rusudan Ediberidze, RA patient: “I was diagnosed when I was 23. It started to develop from the upper jaw joint; I believe that stress provoked the disease and I’ve been suffering for 20 years now. The form of RA is quite severe, the destruction, deformation and erosion of joints is developing and I already need surgical intervention. Despite continuous treatment, which hasn’t been interrupted at any stage, the desired results were not achieved. I believe that biomedication and alternative medicine are effective in the battle against the disease and experience has proved this”.

An online petition asking for increased availability of the biological medication for RA patients was published at the end of the event, addressed to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Affairs and the Tbilisi Assembly. RA patients wrote their wishes on a special banner displayed at the event.

The Union of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis was founded in 2016, by which Georgia joined the World Rheumatoid Arthritis Day celebrated annually since 2012. The main goal of the organization is to increase public awareness of the disease; provide adequate treatment for patients resistant to standard therapy (those with particularly serious forms); communicate continuously with the Association of Rheumatology of Georgia, representative of pharmaceutical companies and other medical institutions to share and exchange disease-related news, methods and information about the latest medications.

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Brand History – CAMPA CAMPA, natural juices manufacturing company, was founded in 2008.

The company introduced its first product on Georgian market in December 2009.

The company produces natural juices and nectars of top quality raw materials without food additives.

The company products are rich of natural vitamins.

Initially, the company was producing only 7 varieties of products, while,currently, the company manufactures more than 30 varieties of products. In 2013 the company introduced another brand – CHVENI (OURS), while in 2016 CAMPA introduced the third brand – FRUTATA. The Saguramo-based plant of CAMPA employs about 30 citizens. The enterprise is equipped by modern aseptic bottling lines of TETRA PAK company.

CAMPA company was founded for production of natural Georgian products. Moreover, the company founders wanted to replace imports by domestic products.

Thanks to new and

modern technologies, the company makes focus on production of higherquality products.

CAMPA appeared on the market in 2008, amid financial crisis and Georgia-Russia hostilities.

Despite these difficulties, CAMPA managed to overcome the crisis and became a successful company.

Competition with imported products is a key challenge for the company. Even today imported products manufactured by major corporations dominate on Georgian market. Consequently, CAMPA founders had to perform huge job to make the brand successful. However, competition is the stimulus for attaining further success, the company management said.

«Our stimulus is to create high-quality Georgian products and to confirm to ourselves and others that Georgia is able to produce top quality and international standard products. This is our motivation and stimulus».

Why CAMPA? - CAMPA is top-quality, Georgian and affordable product.

June 19, 2017 #197

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WORLD EU drops cellphone roaming charges

SOFAZ makes over $5B from profit oil & gas sale Revenues of the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) from the sales of profit oil and gas, produced as part of production sharing agreements (PSAs) at the country’s onshore and offshore fields, totaled $5.19 billion in 2016, according to the SOFAZ annual report.

According to the report, $5.1 billion (98.3 percent) of this amount accounted for the sales of profit oil and gas from the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli block of fields. Meanwhile, $64 million accounted for the Shah Deniz field, $8 million – for the Balakhani-Sabunchu-Ramana, $5.6 million – for Binagadi, $4.5 million – for Kurovdag, $3.1 million – for Surakhany, $1.4 million – for Zig-Hovsan, $1.2 million – for Kursenghi-Garadaghly, $0.7 million – for Gum Deniz and Bahar, $0.4 million – for Neftchala and Khylly.

The report also says that SOFAZ’s revenues from asset management amounted to $688.5 million in 2016. The Fund’s assets were invested in fixed income, equities, real estate and gold. The average annual rate of return from SOFAZ’s investment portfolio was 1.92 percent in 2016.

During the period, bonus payments to SOFAZ in connection with oil and gas contracts amounted to $51,300.

In 2016, SOFAZ obtained $11.3 million as transit fees for the transportation of oil and gas through the territory of Azerbaijan by the Azerbaijan International Operational Company (AIOC).

Volumes of industrial whitefish in Armenia’s Sevan can be increased by tightening grip on illegal fishing Volumes of industrial whitefishes in Lake Sevan can be built up 2 or 2.5 times over three or four years by tightening grip on illegal fishing, Bardukh Gabrielyan, director of the Scientific Center for Zoology and Hydroecology of the Natianl Academy of Sciences, told journalists.

In his words, the quantity of baby fishes in the lake allows building up the volume, but they are being fished out by poachers despite all bans. “Baby fishes are sold everywhere, and this is unacceptable,” Gabrielyan said.

He said fishery in autumn, the season of breeding, and in spring, when fry gather becoming an easy target for fishers, is prohibited by the law.

There is 1,800 tons of whitefish in Sevan, he said, but baby fishes make up 70 to 80 percent of the total volume, while industrial fishes constitute only 450 tons.

Speaking about trout, Gabrielyan said that despite of the widespread artificial breeding, the problem of breeding in natural environment is still on the agenda.

He also spoke about pollution of the rivers from which water comes to the lake.

According to the official statistical reports, the volume of whitefishes in Sevan grew from 430 tons in 2015 to 450 tons in 2016, while trout volume remained unchanged – 1 to 1.5 tons.

A European Union (EU) law to abolish roaming charges for people using cellphones abroad came into force on Thursday. It follows an agreement in 2015 obliging operators to offer the same service to phone users throughout the bloc.

The new law means citizens traveling within the union will be able to call, text and browse the internet on mobile devices at the same price they pay at home, with no extra charges. According to the Financial Times citing industry sources, dozens of telecom operators, particularly smaller ones, have already applied to be exempt from the roaming rates to avoid a financial hit.

“The regulated wholesale cost still remains relatively high comparative to usage,” Phillip Malloch, vice-president and head of group public affairs at Swedish operator Telia, told Reuters. The European Commission has called the end of roaming charges a big success for the EU. “The European Union is about bringing

people together and making their lives easier.

The end of roaming charges is a true European success story,” it said in a statement.

Until now, operators have added roaming charges to the cost of calls, texts and internet browsing, with travelers receiving higher bills at home.

“Each time a European citizen crossed an EU border, be it for holidays, work, studies or just for a day, they had to worry about using their mobile phones and a high phone bill from the roaming charges when they came home,” the European Commission said.

It added that over the last 10 years, “our institutions have been working hard together to fix this market failure,” and that “roaming charges will now be a thing of the past.”

However, some experts warn that exceeding data allowances would still be chargeable, while operators are providing different levels of geographic coverage. They include different countries in their roaming territories, such as the Channel Islands and Switzerland.

Construction of first nuclear power plant in Turkey to begin in 2018

Bulgaria starts talks with SOCAR on Balkan gas hub Bulgaria’s Bulgartransgaz company is starting talks with Azerbaijan’s state oil company SOCAR on the volume of gas supplies to Balkan hub, Investor.bg reported citing Bulgaria’s Deputy Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov.

The deputy minister said that the talks are at an early stage.

“The Bulgarian company is in talks on using the part of the free volumes of gas from Azerbaijan’s Shah Deniz 2. This is about 3 billion cubic meters from the second phase of development of the field,” added Stankov.

As much as 16 billion cubic meters of gas will be produced under the Shah Deniz 2 project. Six billion cubic meters of this volume will be delivered to Turkey, while the remaining 10 billion cubic meters will be supplied to Europe through the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP).

Bulgaria will receive gas from the Caspian Sea region through the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB).

“The project is on track. All land acquisition procedures in the country have been completed and the permit for the pipeline’s construction in Bulgaria is expected to be issued in the third quarter of 2017,” said Teodora Georgieva, executive officer at ICGB AD joint venture company.

The construction permit in Greece is

expected to be issued in the fourth quarter of 2017.

“The project’s cost is estimated at around 240 million euros. As much as 45 million euros have been secured by the EU. Bulgaria can receive around 35 million euros before completing the procedure of using additional funds under the “Competitiveness and Innovation” program,” Georgieva added.

Stankov for his part, noted that IGB is an important, but not sufficient for creating Balkan gas hub.

“Its construction is important for the implementation of the Balkan gas hub project, but IGB and other interconnectors are not sufficient for this. The plan on expansion of Chiren gas storage facility is also important for this project,” said Stankov. “Currently, the second well is being drilled here for capacity expanding. The well will be put into operation soon.”

IGB is a gas pipeline, which will allow Bulgaria to receive Azerbaijani gas, in particular, the gas produced from Azerbaijan’s Shah Deniz 2 gas and condensate field. IGB is expected to be connected to the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) via which gas from the Shah Deniz field will be delivered to the European markets.

The Turkish subsidiary of Russia’s nuclear energy company Rusatom plans to launch its project to build the first nuclear power plant in Turkey next year, the Rosatom State Nuclear Corporation has said.

Russia and Turkey signed an inter-governmental agreement in 2010 on cooperation in the construction and operation of Turkey’s first NPP. The $20 bln Akkuyu NPP project project stipulates building four power units with VVER-1200 reactors and a total capacity of 4,800 MW in the southern Turkish province of Mersin. The plant is estimated to meet around 6-7% of Turkey’s electricity demand.

The project is carried out by Akkuyu Nuclear Co., a subsidiary of Rosatom Energy International, which was granted a 49-year-long electricity generation license from the Turkish Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EMRA) on Thursday. “After carefully reviewing the bid, the EPDK managing council decided to give the green light to the bid and issued a power generation license to Akkuyu Nuclear Co, valid until June 15, 2066 (49 years),” Rosatom said in a statement.

Akkuyu Nuclear also expects to obtain permissions from the Ministry of Forest and Water Management, the Ministry of Finance and the Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEK) this summer. Those permissions will enable Akkuyu Nuclear to start the construction of auxiliary facilities and other sections of the nuclear power plant not directly related to nuclear power generation.

Main construction works, however, are expected to begin in March 2018, after Rosatom receives the main license.

“In line with the intergovernmental agreement, the first unit is to be put on stream no later than 7 years after the Turkish side issues all required permissions,” Rosatom said.

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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 76-g Chavchavadze Ave., Tbilisi Tel: 231-11-61, 231-14-54 E-mail: 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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