Caucasus Business Week #214

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October 30, 2017 #214

October 30, 2017, Issue 214 - www.cbw.ge

Opinion E-governance Development Tendencies in Georgia

Pg. 6

Bank TBC Bank has Attracted USD 106.5 Mln from International Partners

Teona Akhobadze PR and Marketing is like a living object, that constantly pulses

Pg. 2

Pg. 8

Economic Policy by Kakha Kaladze

Self-government Elections 2017 Recommendations and Expectations The City Hall should be a flexible structure with minimized bureaucracy, Tbilisi Mayorship candidate Kakha Kaladze said in the pre-election period. We will make focus on minimizing bureaucracy. City Hall should be a flexible structure and its is to serve residents of our city, with minimized bureaucracy. We will bring more innovations and more modernity, Kakha Kaladze noted when talking about the priority directions.

As to staff reshuffles, this process will be carried out definitely, Kaladze pointed out.

«Naturally, staff reshuffles will be carried out and our team will be staffed with professionals. There are many persons in the city hall, who are competent and professionals», Kaladze noted.

What to Expect from Economic Program of Tbilisi’s New Mayor

Pg. 7

SAP together with partners and clients discussed transformation of Georgian’s SME sector

Photo/ László Horváth

Pg. 4

“Sap Business One Innovation Day” was held on October 25th in Tbilisi. Event was dedicated to Business Digital Transformation in Georgia. SAP- world leader in business solution and provides technologies for business transformation.

In advanced economies (e.g. in the European Union countries) SMEs generate more than 50% of turnover and provide two out of every three jobs in the private sector. During recent years, Georgia has undertaken broad and comprehensive reforms, including economic reforms, the main aim of them was the creation of favorable environment for doing business. During the event SAP speakers, as well as representatives of RSM Georgia Solutions and BDO Georgia discussed the role of IT- technologies in digital transformation, what challenges meet business in the Digital Age. Pg. 9

Newsroom

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Schroders Investment Management to Increase the Volume of Investment in Georgia

The focus was on the positive dynamics of the country’s economic development, the trend of export growth and potential, which offers investors free trade agreements with Georgia.

OPIC to Finance Tsinandali Radisson with 10 mln

At the meeting, the Partnership Fund’s investment in the American Investment Fund Gazelle Finance was also considered at the meeting. The fund was created by the Partnership Fund and the American side’s investments.

economy

France to Invest 14mln GEL in Georgian Agriculture Sector

A pilot project will be implemented and two farmlands will be arranged in Georgia, where French specialists will hold training courses and share French experience in disease control to the domestic farmers.

€100 mlln for small, medium businesses in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine

EIB and the European Investment Fund (EIF) – jointly the EIB Group – will allocate €100 million in loands to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.

banking

Georgia-Based Commercial Banks have Increased Noninterest Incomes

In January-September, noninterest incomes totaled 1.2blin GEL, up 509mln GEL year on year (+78%), including incomes from commission fees and services constituted 318mln GEL (Q3/2016 – 225mln).

ProCredit Bank’s Assets Shrink

Assets of ProCredit Bank have shrunk by 1.3% month on month. Deposits portfolio of ProCredit Bank has also decreased by 1.6% month on month. The bank’s crediting volume has risen by 2.8% month on month.

business

Georgian Nut Export has Halved

In January-September, 2017, export amounted 50.5 mln $ in Utskheti markets. However, the nuts still retain the last place in the leading export ten times, but instead of 7,7% last year, the share of exports is only 2.6%.

Japan Plans to Increase Kiwi Imports from Georgia

It should be noted that the company “Nergeta” exported kiwi’s trial party on the Japanese market in 2016. However, 100 t of kiwi is ready for export in the current year.

company

Salam Air Enters Georgian Aviation Market

Salam Air, a subsidiary of Oman Air will enter Georgian market in 2018, implementing four flights a week Muscat-Tbilisi-Muscat.

Flights will increase the number of tourists from Oman.

October 30, 2017 #214

Lord Mayor of London: “Georgia is the most businessfriendly country in the region”

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he Lord Mayor of London, Andrew Parmley, says Georgia has the best business environment in the region and the UK is ready to enhance trade-economic ties with the country.

The mayor stated this in front of representatives of the British business community today, attending a round table at the Mansion House, UK. The meeting was devoted to Georgia’s economic development and investment. The meeting was held within the Georgia-UK Wardrop dialogue.

According to the Lord Mayor of London, one of his priorities is to promote co-operation with rapidly developing economies.

Trade-economic cooperation with Georgia was also in focus for the UK Minister of State for Europe and the Americas Sir

Alan Duncan when he spoke at the opening of the Wardrop Strategic Dialogue yesterday.

Duncan said that economic cooperation is an integral part the Georgia-UK bilateral relations.

I want this to be done swiftly and successfully and I’d like this to be ambitious. I am glad that Foreign Office officials were recently in Tbilisi to discuss details of our future economic relations. That dialogue will intensify in the coming months”, he said.

Duncan stressed that British investors’ interest in Georgia keeps rising, to which attests the appointment of the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Georgia and an upcoming business forum within the framework of the Wardrop Dialogue.

According to Duncan, links

between the two nations are expanding, helped by the reintroduction of direct flights.

More of our citizens than ever before are travelling in both directions for tourism, study and business. As governments we can help these connections to develop even further including in the areas such as vocational and technical education and creative industries. We will ensure that Georgian citizens find the process of obtaining a visa to visit Britain as easy as possible”, he said.

Mark Pritchard, UK’s Special Representative for trade in Georgia, says that Georgia and the UK have “huge potential to boost trade and investments.”

He stated the UK government was interested in investing for infrastructure, education, environment, retailing, banking field and pension services.

TBC Bank has Attracted USD 106.5 Million from International Partners

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BC Bank has signed a $ 106.5 million syndicated loan agreement with the Netherlands Development Finance Company “FMO”. This is the second contract of syndicated loan organized by TBC Bank’s long-term partner, Netherlands Development Finance Company (“FMO”).

The loan product was created with syndication with OPEC International Development Fund (OFID). Other transaction participants are: Symbiotics, which operate through the Micro, Small and Medium Sized Bond Platform (MSME Bond Platform); Atlantic Forfaitierungs AG; London Forfaiting Company Limited and other institutional investors, with a total value of 56.5 million US dollars.

The Netherlands Development Finance Corporation (FMO) resource allows TBC Bank to engage in financing micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) in Georgia, and the share of OPEC’s International Development Fund (OFID) will contribute to the implemen-

BUSINESS WEEK caucasus

The Editorial Board Follows Press Freedom Principles Publisher: LLC Caucasian Business Week - CBW Address: Aleksidze Street 1 Director: Levan Beglarishvili Sales: Mob: +995 558 36 61 07 WWW.CBW.GE Email: caucasianbusiness@gmail.com

tation of international trade financing projects.

“We are proud to have such a successful relationship with the bank’s long-term partner, the Netherlands Development Finance Company (” FMO “), as well as with OPEC International Development Fund (OFID) and other participants of the Syndicate. The amount of funding clearly indicates our first syndicated loan success and partnership. This large volume loan will help TBC Bank to strengthen its leading position on the market for micro, small and medium enterprises, “said TBC Bank’s CEO Vakhtang Butskhrikidze.

Linda Broekhuizen investment director of the Netherlands Development Finance Corporation (FMO), said: “FMO is proud to give this innovative syndicated credit line to TBC Bank through which new investors enter Georgia. The loan will enable TBC Bank to increase growth and create job opportunities in the country”.

CEO of the OPEC International Development Fund (OFID) Mr. Suleiman Jasir Al-Herbish

said: “The financial sector of the country is the guarantee of economic stability and growth; It is of paramount importance for poverty reduction and development. The OPEC International Development Fund (OFID) took on the obligation to promote international trade. Distribution of financial resources through a financial intermediary, such as TBC Bank, increases the scope of our work and influence on sustainable development. The Loan Agreement conforms to our commitment to developing countries worldwide. “ The Netherlands Development Finance Corporation (FMO) aims at promoting sustainable private sector in developing economies. Its investment portfolio is 9 billion euros, making it one of the world’s largest European banks for promoting private sector in developing countries.

OFID is a financial institute developed by the Organization for Oil Exporting Countries (OPEC) established in 1976 with the objective of developing countries.

Editor: Nutsa Galumashvili. Mobile phone: 595 380382 Reporters: Nina Gomarteli; Mariam Kopaliani; Merab Janiashvili Technical Assistant: Giorgi Kheladze;

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

October 30, 2017 #214

publicity

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econo-mix

October 30, 2017 #214

Economic Policy by Kakha Kaladze Business Café Meets up for the 12th Time

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Merab Janiashvili Economic Analyst

Our country strives for European family and Georgia aspires for upgrading democratic level. Therefore, politicians are to show more responsibility before their electors.

They are to take efforts and write detailed programs what and how they plan to implement for the country development.

ocal self-government elections have passed.

Naturally, the emphasis was made on Tbilisi Mayorship elections, as the capital city is both financial and political center of Georgia.

Regretfully, the 2017 elections have continued the evil practice, when politicians and political parties cannot introduce detailed election programs.

Some of them have not introduced any program at all, while others have voiced only promises in the form of wishes without economic calculations and substantiation. As a result, we have the situation, when participating candidates and political parties intend to win elections thanks to promises in the form of toasts and our society cannot check the efficiency of their performance. The current Mayor David Narmania is a good sample to this, who asserts that he has fulfilled all pre-election promises, while others assert the opposite.

And our society has no opportunity to examine all these statements due to documents and proofs. Regretfully, there is low political culture in Georgia and candidates do not care much for preparing valuable programs.

And why should they do this? Their programs should contain a detailed plan for their 4-year performance and they prefer to issue verbal promises and make accents on popular themes in exchange for votes, even if this or that promise could not be fulfilled at all.

The 2017 candidates had introduced no economic programs, in practice. It should be noted that only several ones had prepared programs in a written form and even those documents could not be called as programs. In the developed countries, for example, in Germany, even one candidate has larger programs than all 9 candidates for Tbilisi Mayorship. Naturally, special interest is paid to the program of the winner candidate.

It is interesting what Tbilisi residents should expect for the next 4 years.

The whole economic policy of Kakha Kaladze is as follows: «For the purpose of implementing efficient economic policy, Tbilisi City Hall will prepare municipal development plan. The municipality will foster employment of Tbilisi residents. The Night Economy innovative concept will be implemented.

Tbilisi City Hall will develop efficient economic policy based on municipal development plan. Tbilisi economic potential will be explored comprehensively and municipal property will be entirely inventoried.

Efficient investment policy will be developed and implemented. Public-private partnership projects will be planned and implemented. Commercial spaces will be arranged. A special strategy will be prepared and implemented for better employment of tourism potential. Cooperation will be activated with partner municipalities.

Tbilisi City Hall will promote employment of citizens. In the coming years, large-scale infrastructural and economic projects will be carried out to create thousands of new job places. Promo program will be introduced for small and medium business sectors, self-employment.

The night economy strategy will be prepared to add new functions to the city outskirts and new districts, employ abandoned spaces, develop river embankment infrastructure, encourage business, attract investors, improve tourism potential, create new job places and mobilize additional revenues for the municipal budget.

Municipal transport, recreation system and culture politics should be adjusted to the night economy concept. Night economy startups should be also encouraged. As part of the night economy concept, municipal

‘‘

On October 24th, 2017 the twelfth meeting of Business Café took place in Holiday Inn hotel. The meeting was hosted

by Mr. Alex Chikovani – the founder of Strategic Branding Agency “LIVE” with the topic “Trade history of Georgian wine – from its inception up today.”

Business Café is a place where you can share your knowledge with experienced people and hear their opinion about specific subjects. Business Café provides an interactive format of conversations about business where we exchange our views. In 21st century business is based on a brand. Building and managing a brand is a culture of conducting business. It is impossible to have a sustainable business without this. Branding is a strategy and strategy is branding, the art of managing your business with a right mindset,” commented Alex Chikovani.

About Business Café: Business Café is a project initiated by consulting company “Insource” and it has been supported by PASHA Bank since 2015.

Business Café meetings are attended by top managers of large and medium-sized enterprises on regular basis. Each meeting offers a convenient platform for sharing knowledge and experiences as well as discussing the recent trends in various industries and the economy as a whole.

Interesting discussion topics and interactive event format attract the participants and contribute to the rising popularity of the project. As of 2017 two new sponsors have joined the initiative – ACT and Orient Logic.

Among the speakers and presented topics of previous Business Café meetings were: Lado Gurgenidze, former Prime Minister of Georgia, an executive chairman of the supervisory board of Liberty Bank – “Thoughts about management and leadership” Giorgi Kadagidze, former president of National Bank of Georgia – “Innovation management” Alexander Jejelava, Minister of Education of Georgia – „Organizational corporate culture“ David Gogichaishvili, general manager of Night Show Studio – „Management of human resources” Andro Dgebuadze, business advisor – ”Management 3.0 or MBA books in mirror” Papuna Toliashvili, founder and managing partner of Synergy Group – „Circular organizational structures“ Tinatin Rukhadze, Co-founder and General Director at research and consulting company ACT- “Who is the leader of the future?”

Guga Tsanava, the businessman and entrepreneur – “Stanford model of management” Sascha Ternes, Managing Partner at TERNES Real Estate Fund LLC and former CEO of ProCredit Bank – “Organizational culture, business ethics and corporate management” George Kananashvili, entrepreneur – “Financial technologies and challenges” Levan Bakhia, the founder of “Sarke Studio” – “Reality reflected by „SARKE“ – marketing, managerial and philosophical awakening”.

What to Expect from Economic Program of Tbilisi’s New Mayor transport will work in night hours, night tourism routes will be created, including river transports will move on the river Mtkvari, street illumination systems will be improved.

Night culture life will be enlivened and popularized – unused spaces will be dedicated to local and foreign artists, museums, exhibition spaces and movie theaters will operate in night hours. Special measures will be carried out to ensure security standard at night, additional video supervision systems will be installed», the document published on the Georgian Dream website reads.

It is worth noting that the whole economic policy is given on one page and it lacks for financial substantiation. This program contains no specific promises.

For example, the program contains the following promises – Tbilisi City Hall will prepare a municipal development plan. The municipality will promote employment of Tbilisi residents, night economy innovative project will be implemented , major and medium investment projects will be developed and implemented. Tbilisi City Hall will develop efficient economic policy based on municipal development plant, efficient investment policy will be developed and implemented». In one word, he promises to prepare development plans in this or that direction in case he is elected Tbilisi Mayor and the time will show whether the capital city residents will like the program.

Kaladze pledged to ensure a growth in the municipal budget at the expense of municipal revenues and state transfers. According to him, the municipal budget will exceed 1bln GEL for the firs time in its history – but how, from where, from which taxes and duties and when – in 2018 or in 2022? Nothing is said about this in the program.

As to the transport field, Kaladze plans to renew Tbilisi Bus fleet and carry out large-scale modernization of Tbilisi subway network. When promising 700 new buses, it would be better to substantiate financial sources for purchasing these buses. It should be also noted that Tbilisi Mayor’s economic policy was introduced by two members of his team – Beka Davituliani and Irakli Khmaladze, who are lawyers by profession. Naturally, no economic education is required to introduce similar programs, but it is genuinely regretful, that no qualified financier was found in the team of Kakha Kaladze, who would write pre-election economic program and introduce the document to the society.

As a result, our society would be able to know what to expect from economic program in the capital city for the next 4 years.

Finally, it should be noted that not only the program of Kakha Kaladze, but also all other candidates do not satisfy standards and requirements of European pre-election documents. Naturally, a major part of our population is not interested to read comprehensive programs of the candidates, however, political parties should keep similar documents for even specialists.

Society is not much interested in similar documents.

Consequently, nor politicians pay attention to this and they are ready issue any promises in exchange for votes, while they know these promises are doomed to failure. But nobody cares.

Our country strives for European family and Georgia aspires for upgrading democratic level. Therefore, politicians are to show more responsibility before their electors. They are to take efforts and write detailed programs what and how they plan to implement for the country development.

“Like any central bank of any country, the National Bank of Georgia will not comment on the shortterm fluctuations in the exchange rate since this is a common occurrence. Georgian media recently reported that in the pre-election period the National Bank carried out currency interventions to keep the exchange rate. This is not true - since spring the National Bank has not carried out interventions and on the contrary made dollar buy”.

Koba Gvetenadze

President of the National Bank of Georgia

October 30, 2017 #214

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October 30, 2017 #214

E-governance Development Tendencies in Georgia Rati Abuladze

Doctor of economics; Founder of E-governance Research Academy

Shaping E-Governance environment grows efficiency of services, governance, government’s accountability, transparency of processes. The system is represented in innovative and democratic governance and these factors ensure the strength of the country.

The role of E-governance is very important for promoting a transformation of state governance environment and shaping efficient bureaucratic system.

It should be noted that Georgia has achieved success in development of technological environment (in terms of development of Egovernance and cyber security). The leading positions and role of the country described in reports by international organizations is very impressive. Through this marathon the country strives for creating more job places, growing budget revenues, promoting innovative development of the country, shaping e-governance environment, reception of social-economic and political benefits.

Despite positive tendencies, we have inherited the following factors: • Protracted internetization and computerization projects - delayed processes makes the country lose digital benefits; • Challenges of internet environment - Services, quality and prices are incompatible.

Regulatory office(s) cannot cope with expensive tariffs in the country. At the same time, blunt instruments for prices stabilization cannot ensure a reduction in prices.

• Unused digital ecosystem - Georgia’s digital ecosystem has the potential to make the country as an environment (space) for creating job places for job seekers (amid shaping digital market and creating job places. We will receive emigrants to the country for their employment); • Deficiency of reformers – we hear continuous rhetorics on reformation of governance environment. Amid European and Euroatlantic cooperation, we have reformation «guidebooks», but we do not have reformers ( we have in the society, not in politics).

Transformation of Georgia’s governance environment is in direct relation with development of electronic governance environment.

• Research works prove that electronic governance makes influence on transformation of political and governance environment, supported by social and economic progress.

Consequently, in the countries with undeveloped electronic governance environment, transformation of political and governance environment proceeds at low paces.

In similar countries, rationalization and legitimization is not an important resource, while economic and social progress is low.

Naturally, the country needs digital policy with focus on development of electronic governance and digital economy. However, since the society does not hold «leverage of changes», and media world cannot make essential influence on reforms and changes, therefore, old political environment remains on «traditional level» and brings the same unchanged social-economic results.

In Georgia, the e-governance development process is accompanied by: • High pricing policy – amid low social-economic condition of our population, prices of internet services and computer hardware are expensive, while government’s supporting policy is protracted and its scales are very unimportant (I mean vouchers that will be issued later); • Digital inequality – interregional digital inequality is still huge.

• Normative-legal basis – normative-legal basis of key directions of e-governance envi-

ronment should be created (e-governance, ecommerce and information society). Several laws on digital ecosystem do not suffice.

• E-governance environment shaping programs – The time has come that central and regional Authorities make focus on e-governance environment formation policy and create e-commerce development state programs for field directions; • Educational programs for preparing ebusiness specialists – Higher educational programs should be laid in the foundation of e-business development such as: e-business BA and MA programs, e-governance MA and Doctorate programs; • Political support – without strong political support, no state program will be implemented, despite public demand or media influence, because bureaucracy and old political environment confront with reforming the fields. For example, governance environment was not or could not be reformed; Finally, Government of Georgia should get ready in terms of strategic aspects to cope with coming challenges of digital environment, create programs and system of measures, so as the future generations do not inherit an undeveloped digital environment and the past full of debts and liabilities.

October 30, 2017 #214

Elections

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Selfgovernment Elections 2017 Recommendations and Expectations The City Hall should be a flexible structure with minimized bureaucracy, Tbilisi Mayorship candidate Kakha Kaladze said in the pre-election period.

We will make focus on minimizing bureaucracy. City Hall should be a flexible structure and its is to serve residents of our city, with minimized bureaucracy.

We will bring more innovations and more modernity, Kakha Kaladze noted when talking about the priority directions.

As to staff reshuffles, this process will be carried out definitely, Kaladze pointed out.

«Naturally, staff reshuffles will be carried out and our team will be staffed with professionals. There are many persons in the city hall, who are competent and professionals», Kaladze noted.

The Caucasus Business Week (CBW) has inquired what businessmen and economic experts suggest to the new Tbilisi Mayor and what they expect from him.

It turned out that a major part of businessmen suggest the new Mayor to accelerate decision-making process and alleviate bureaucracy burden, employ more qualified staff and increase the municipal budget, bring order in public transport, care for ecology, resolve problems with K2 coefficient and the socalled Khrushchovka residential buildings.

Many years have passed, but key problems in the city remain unresolved, Tamaz Gaiashvili, founder of Airzena airline, noted. Councils at the City Hall create excessive chains and they should be abolished, he said.

The new Mayor should also revise transport policy in the capital city, otherwise, tourism and business development will be hampered, he noted.

«There is unbearable reality in the capital city. Hundreds of minibuses drive in central streets and I have seen this nowhere, but Congo. Taxi business is also out of order. Safety of our citizens is not protected.

These taxis drive without insurance and so on. All these issues should be resolved», Gaiashvili noted.

Lasha Zhvania, head of Global Group company, suggests the Tbilisi Mayor to cut bureaucracy and appoint competent bodies. The new Mayor should take bolder decisions, he said.

«Frequently, politicians take criticism painfully.

Therefore, they try to avoid criticism and take more measured decisions and they think longer, while this factor hampers investing process. When the New Mayor will take bolder decisions, the city development process will be accelerated», Zhvania said.

Irakli Iashvili, head of supervisory board of East Gate Group, noted that the licensing systems should be improved and the New Mayor should show interest in this issue. Management issues should be arranged

in the city hall and the New Mayor should introduce single-window principle. «On the same issue, one department of the city hall gives positive response, another – negative response. This signifies the management issues should be optimized”, Iashvili said.

Irakli Iashvili also suggests the New Mayor to bring order in the transport field. Traffic of minibus taxis and private taxis should be banned. Today, transport policy is absolutely unsystematic and it will be wonderful if the New Mayor brings order to this field, he said.

Bezhan Tsakadze, founder of G&G company, recommends the New Mayor to remove bureaucracy barriers. Bureaucracy exists everywhere, it should exist in the development sector too, but bureaucratic processes should be resolved quickly. Tbilisi New Mayor should pay attention to the so-called Khrushchovka residential buildings, he said. «It will be wonderful if these old buildings are dismantled and new modern buildings replace them», Tsakadze said.

The developer also suggests to resolve the issue with K2 coefficient too in the capital city.

Businessman Lasha Papashvili urges the new Mayor to invite experienced foreign specialists to the architectural office of Tbilisi City Hall.

“The New Mayor should invite two very experienced foreign specialists to the architectural board of the city hall, for example, those, who have worked for Frankfurt city hall, but now are unemployed and their hiring will not be too expensive. These specialists will assist young people, as counselors, who work in the board. It is of crucial importance that at least two experts be in the architectural board, nothing to say about the cultural heritage board. Otherwise, the city will not be developed in a right direction”, Papashvili said and urged the new Mayor to grant wider commissions to district governors. District heads should have wider rights and they should be entitled to prepare and implement development plans for their own districts, he said.

Expert Gia Khukhashvili said that Kakha Kaladze stands on the crossroad and he has to choose either of the ways: he may grow as a leader and become a real politician, finally, or shoot two goals into his own doors, like his football career.

«Every person has the chance. I do not know how Kakha Kaladze will use his chance. If everything is in order in the country and the capital city, I will enjoy these benefits. Naturally, I want him to be a successful person, but only the time will show whether he will manage this», Khukhashvili said.

According to the Central Election Commission report, Kakha Kaladze has won the Tbilisi Mayorship elections by 51.13% votes.

PR Person

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October 30, 2017 #214

Interview with Teona Akhobadze, Marketing and Communications Manager of Global Real Estate company ‘’Colliers International Georgia’’

“My work day starts with coffee as usual. Then the plan of the day is arranged.

This habit has been adopted last few years and has helped me very much”

PR and Marketing is like a living object, that constantly pulses - Why did you decide to enter this field and what opportunities does PR and Marketing offer in terms of career growth?

- Right now I am the marketing and communications manager. Generally, by profession I’m TV-radio journalist. It’s been already years since I’ve been working in this field, constantly linked with communications and media. Strange, but it happened that my first job started with the PR; It was an internship at the Public Relations Department of the Ministry of EU Integration. I worked as a correspondent in various media outlets for years. I spent the most of my time at “Rustavi 2”, six years at the program “Good Morning Georgia” together with a wonderful team. Along with professional growth this job developed my skills to work in a team. At some point I realized that it was time to move forward and I went to the UK where I studied PR and Branding. After that, my career path went into this direction.

Upon returning, I worked at marketing and PR company for some period, and later continued in ‘’Dexus Development’’ as a Marketing Manager. After I moved to the company “GD ALCO”, where I was a brand manager of the famous Spirits Portfolio Moet Hennessy. For more than a year, I am a marketing and communications manager at the global real estate services company “Colliers International Georgia”.

As for career growth possibilities, I think, any sphere allows you to develop, wherever you work.

It depends on your approach.

- What is it necessary to establish a successful communication with public?

- The answer is clear in the question - communication, which easily means relations. Human relationships are the most important and I would say complicated to manage. Considering that we all are different from the perspective of worldview, behavior, emotion, perception and many other aspects. I think it’s important to find the right way to have a natural and at the same time business communication with completely different people, talk to them in a language that is clear and sincere. According to a very rapid development of marketing and PR, and accordingly consumer consciousness as well. Nowadays no one believes in “low prices and high quality”, so frankness is essential. One more

“

The feeling of responsibility, there is no trust otherwise, and there is no cooperation without trust. The ability to respect others work, humility.

to add, the most important thing is to have an ability to listen to the customer and understand their ultimate need.

- What three tips would you offer someone just starting out in PR? - I do not think that I am the one who should give advices, but I think, in any field specialization it’s important to never stop learning, never feel that you are already a professional who doesn’t need an advice from others, don’t feel embarrassed if you don’t know something, especially in the field of communication. PR and marketing is like living object that constantly pulses, develops and changes day by day, we need to try to catch up. Any work gives you an experience that can be useful in the future. And in the end, you should try to be courageous and not be afraid to make mistakes.

- What do you wish you would have known before starting your career in PR? - I’d like to know more foreign languages, I think knowing two languages is not enough nowadays. I regret that I stopped learning French. I think in communcation field this can be very helpful for building strong relashionships with your costumers. I hope, oneday I will find time and continue my studies.

- What is your typical working week?

- There are no typical weeks at my job. Based on the specifics of our company, we have to work on various projects simultaneously, so the working dynamic always differs.

- How would you go about finding relevant contacts and sources?

- Perhaps, a perfect way to gain contacts is face to face communication, but it’s almost impossible because of the accelerated and busy life today. Fortunately, technological development has brought many communication channels that are directly oriented to accumulate contacts.

- How would you prioritize and start your work day?

- My work day starts with coffee as usual. Then the plan of the day is arranged. This habit has been adopted last few years and has helped me very much. Of course, I frequently replace current issues with priorities, but in general I try to follow the plan and not to deviate.

- What skills are important to have as a successful PR Manager?

- My view is that the essential thing is to listen. The rest is about your professional or personal skills. Before communicating, you need to have a precise picture of what your plan looks like, a thoughtful mechanism of the process and the desired outcome. After that you use communication channels, which will help you reach out your costumers.

- What trait do you value the most in your coworkers?

- The feeling of responsibility, there is no trust otherwise, and there is no cooperation without trust. The ability to respect others work, humility. I also appreciate the people who have an ability to see and recognize their mistakes and who are team players.

- What is the best PR practice technology can’t change?

- I think technological development changes the shape of PR and marketing working process, but not the main point. The method of communication has changed, which is brought by digital development. Massive social platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) provide target audience specifications, but the starting point is the result we are focused on. As for the unchangeable and the most reliable practice as a way of communication, I think, again, face to face relationship stays on he top.

- What are some of the growing trends in the public relations industry?

- I would like to highlight several trends, one of them is content management that is very important direction for PR and marketing as a new communication tool.

It is noteworthy that PR and Marketing are now interlinked in many ways and as if they include one another.

Regarding content managmenet, today costumers wait for the story, catchy story, which is spoken in human language. As another trend I would highlight the visual communication, which reaches the new level, narrated or even written information is gradually replaced by the video, which is already available to watch live. And one more topic that is worth of attention is the general growth of communication territory which is connected with the fast development of social media channels.

October 30, 2017 #214

business

SAP together with partners and clients discussed transformation of Georgian’s SME sector “Sap Business One Innovation Day” was held on October 25th in Tbilisi.

Event was dedicated to Business Digital Transformation in Georgia.

SAP- world leader in business solution and provides technologies for business transformation.

In advanced economies (e.g. in the European Union countries) SMEs generate more than 50% of turnover and provide two out of every three jobs in the private sector. During recent years, Georgia has undertaken broad and comprehensive reforms, including economic reforms, the main aim of them was the creation of favorable environment for doing business.

During the event SAP speakers, as well as representatives of RSM Georgia Solutions and BDO Georgia discussed the role of IT- technologies in digital transformation, what challenges meet business in the Digital Age. Participants of the event meet SAP Business One – digital platform for medium and fast-growing businesses, that offers ways to manage accounting and financials, purchasing, inventory, sales and customer relationships, enables clients with advanced analytics and BI tools Georgia’s companies, such as Anaklia Port, Abitek, United Airports of Georgia and CreditInfo have already simplified business processes with SAP solutions. They shared successes and results of projects implementation with participants during panel discussion.

9 Konstantin Kuteynikov Channel Enablement & Solution Expert | SAP Business One Q: On the conference you talked about Real-Time twitter sentiment analysis, which is a great tool for businesses what are the other metrics or methodologies SAP uses for deter-

Christian Ecks, SAP Business One Regional Head of Sales in MEE region.

«Modern technologies more often use practical cases in the business world. Over the last few years, early adopters of digital technology have already seen significant value creation in revenue growth, cost reduction, and productivity improvements. We are happy to present SAP Business One – useful business application for SME sector – to our partners and customers in Georgia. We are sure, that business digitalization is one of the key to success».

Alena Sysoi, Chanel Manager Q: You have talked about business model canvas which was created

by Alexander Osterwalder and compared it with SAP model, is SAP going to use Osterwalder method in working process? How effective will it be for businesses?

We are using business model canvas as part of business model development innovation - our methodology we offer to clients to conduct business transformation.

It was done already with many SAP clients worldwide as a part of our service for them.

mining customer retention, product performance, customer lifetime value and etc., and could you tell us about what are processes of it.

SAP provide the platform that contains different technologies and possibilities. What exactly need to be analyzed in particular customer implementation – this is decision between customer and partner. In example of Twitter sentimental analysis we are showing the Sentimental analysis that embedded to the SAP HANA database.

Levan Kajaia, General Manager of RSM Georgia Solutions «We are glad that our clients have got overview of the latest trends and technologies directly from SAP experts. These could be helpful for business in Georgia. We should say that feedback was great and beyond of our expectations. It proves that Georgian SMB companies are ready for business transformation».

business

10 Student Startup Camp to Launch in Kutaisi On October 26-29, the first Student Startup Camp of Kutaisi will be arranged at Akaki Tsereteli State University by Impact Hub Tbilisi and Garage48.

This is an intensive course aimed at developing innovative ideas and getting the basic knowledge needed to start the startup. Participants will work intensively with international mentors for four days.

The next Student Startup Camp will be held on 16-19 November in Batumi. Also, Batumi will host the Final Hackaton in December, where programmers, designers, marketers, entrepreneurs and project managers will develop creative ideas and create working prototypes. Garage48 is a series of events that started in Estonia in April 2010 and is being held in various countries. Over the years, a number of interesting ideas have been implemented within the project and several successful startups have been launched. The goal of the project is to encourage entrepreneurship and startup culture, and teach people how to put the idea into a prototype in a short term.

KTW to Open a Hotel with Bank of Georgia Funding in Akhasheni Bank of Georgia announces financing of the “Kakhetian Traditional Winery” (KTW) project. According to the bank, the group will build a 41-room hotel in Akhasheni, Kakheti region. The wine cellar, sampling area, restaurant and swimming pool will be placed at the hotel.

The investment portfolio of the project is 2.3 million USD funded by the Bank of Georgia. The funding has been issued within frame of the DCFTA project.

It is noteworthy that cooperation between the KTW Group and the Bank of Georgia has been established since 2014 and as a result of this, wine enterprises were opened in Velistsikhe, Keda and Askana. Wine and cognac of KTW Group is sold in 17 countries worldwide. However, 70 percent of the product import from KTW Group production accounts for Ukraine.

The First Georgian Bot Lawyer – Lawbot The first Georgian bot lawyer – Lawbot operates for about two weeks in internet space. Innovative technology is created by company CC Legal & Advisory.

Lawbot can only analyze the parking receipt of Tbilisi City Park, “City Park” at this stage.

The process takes less than 5 minutes. After answering several questions, Lawbot immediately prepares a real complaint. The main lawyer of the company, Koka Chedia states that Lawbot service is completely free.

According to him, during two weeks Lawbot wrote 238 complaints on City Park penalty. One of the 238 complaints has already been submitted to the relevant body. In addition to analyzing the receipt of parking fines in the near future, Georgian bot lawyer will be able to appeal patrol penalties and evaluate personal data protection in companies.

The technology design belongs to company Lavingstone.

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Georgian Company that Supplies Clothes to Radisson and Marriott Unistyle, a uniforms manufacturing company, plans to open a new plant. The company will move to a new building, where overhaul works are underway.

Unistyle director Natali Tlashaldze says that the company has already invested 380 000 GEL in the plant construction and rehabilitation works. The new plant will launch operation in spring 2018.

Unistyle will produce adapted clothes for persons with disabilities (PWD) and the company will be able to employ them.

Several PWDs work at the company. The plant employs 80 citizens in whole, Natalia Tlashadze said.

The company manufactures special clothes for such brands as Radisson, Marriott, Socar, Georgian State Electrosystem and so on. The company supplies uniforms to a major part of restaurant businesses in Tbilisi.

Unistyle offers a full assortment of uniforms, including helmets and footwear.

Creating Anemone We Spread Love – Store of Live Plants by Ani and Gio Anemone is the name of a flower. According to one of the meanings, this name signifies the first breeze of spring.“Spring has brought pleasant novelty and happiness to us and we want to spread love by creating Anemone environment”, Ani Arveladze, a 26-year-old sociologist, noted, who has created a store-saloon of live plants jointly with her beloved person Giorgi Ubiria, doctor-radiologist.

In her interview with the Marketer.ge Ani Arveladze talks about how the idea grew into a store of live plants.

-How did you create Anemone?

-We had traveled to many countries and having seen green yards and balconies, we had the desire to have more green spaces in our city. However, specific idea arose, when we guessed

from our personal experience that we needed similar space near our home.

In spring, after 4-year relationship, we decided to start a family life. The residential environment of Your House on Jikia turned out a wonderful case. In summer, competition was announced among residents – the most beautiful balcony.

The competition’s key criterion was to identify the most original and artistic balcony in our residential complex.

All these factors have considerably encouraged us to make our favorite balcony more picturesque. We decided to have the first plant, then we bought a pot, soil, chain and so on.

Despite our enthusiasm, this process turned out very tiring. We had to go to various far locations to buy pots for our balcony.

Royal Honey – 20-year-old Giorgi Gomelauri Makes Father’s Hobby into Real Business My father holds bees for 15 years, but this trade was only a hobby for him. And I wanted to make my father’s hobby into real business and I adjusted my education and future plans to this field.

This year I established Royal Honey company and all members of our family are involved in this business, Giorgi Gomelauri, 20, a student of agrarian university, said.

In his interview for the Marketer.ge, Giorgi Gomelauri talks about the advantages, special offers and distribution channels for Royal Honey.

– How do you plan to ensure market positioning of Royal Honey?

– This is a very valuable project for us and I called it as Royal Honey. It is a unique product for consumers, who are able to buy honey in

comb. We have placed both honeycomb and honey in a jar, packed it and introduced to the market in this different way. _What is the main advantage of Royal Honey?

-Our honey is a special product, because it is a natural product and it does not contain antibiotics. Natural honey is characterized by the following criteria: if beekeepers honestly cares for bee, does not feed them with sugar and antibiotics, they receive natural honey. Over the past 2 years we care for bees with bio preparations and we insist that we produce natural honey. -Our product is made in Akhmeta. At this stage, we produce honey in 320ml and 700ml jars. Royal Honey is sold at Carrefour, Fresco, Goodwill, Agrohub and GemoRcheuli networks.

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Brand History ’Diogene that the company was objectively successful in the direction of school and university textbooks. According to her, “Diogene” was the leader in the number of new nominations. “We were not leaders in financial terms, but according to innovations -” Lebanidze declared.

“Diogene” had its own store, which existed in the pure image. The library of “Diogene” was successful, as well as the publication of well-known bestsellers in Georgian, such as Umberto Eco’s works.

Success is the line that develops in the

T

tried to find a financially sustainable direction that led to the existence of non profit projects, “said Lebanidze. (boys were) In Georgia, a female businessman is in a more difficult situation than a male, if he is not a protector and if not politically motivated. It’s hard for a woman to do business. I tried to find a financially sustainable direction that led to the existence of non profit projects as well, “said Lebanidze.

According to Lebanidze, the normal company will always have difficulties in the existing business environment and state policy. A sharp change in textbook policy has led to a deterioration in the publishing business environment. According to her, when the state has changed the policy in the direction of the textbook, “Diogene” faced big problems. The company had and still has a bank credit, this led to the fact that the company closed the store.

“Libraries are in poor condition, which is negatively impacted on publish houses,” Lebanidze said.

The problem was the fire in the warehouse in 2009. At this time the company received a loss of 700,000 GEL. The name and logo history - the name “diogene” is a random name. “I think that in the course of time the publishing house got very much close to essence and principles of the most famous diogenes, which, by principle, distinguished the truth.

As for Logos, the author is Otar Karalashvili ,one of the founders of the publishing house. “We passed apple trees alley while returning to Tbilisi from Khashuri. This scene dictated a logo,’’-Lebanidze said.

he publishing house “Diogene” was established on 24 October 1995 and is one of the first in the history of independent Georgia. During this time hundreds of various genres were published.

Among them are translators of world literature classics and the best works of contemporary writers, Georgian and translated children’s literature, scientific and educational books, editions of XX and XI Century Georgian writers.

The idea of founding - as founder of the company Tamar Lebanidze states, “Diogene” was initially founded by four

friends. “At that moment, four of us had very serious issues to sustain ourselves and our family. Then the main goal was to make money for stable existence. My first publishing project was the first collection of works by Carl Gustav Jung in Georgian, it was a scientific translation. I am a psychologist by profession and I am interested in Jungian psychology. Accordingly, this was a bridge, passing from old profession to a new profession, “Lebanidze said.

The founder of “Diogene” states that after that there was a fiction literature, followed by a textbook project.

Key to a success -Tamar Lebanidze said

view of modern literature translation.

Tamar Lebanidze said that it was also a big success when “Diogene” published the work of foreign, modern, classical writer earlier than the original.

The main difficulty on the way to success - “About 2 years after founding, we found that we had different opinions from one another about work, publishing priorities and other issues. It turned out that we could not work together. As a result, I was the only one staying at ‘’Diogene’’without partners, that were males. It’s harder for female to be in business in Georgia, without protector and politically strong. I

Breathe Out event was held at Mtatsminda Park in open air in relation to the world weekly of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

The event aimed at updating media agencies on the Breathe Out information campaign results and future plans was held under the aegis of Association of Patients Diseased by Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF).

The following participants delivered a speech at the event: Kakha Vacharadze ( Association of Respirators of Georgia), Elene Sherozia ( Association of Respirators of Georgia), Ana Bokolishvili (Georgian Fund of Genetic and Rare Diseases) and Elene Samkharadze (Association of IPF Patients). Doctors, patients, promoters, reporters and other guests also attended the photo project presentation.

The participants discussed the disease treatment strategy. It is difficult to diagnose idiopathic fibrosis because of nonspecific symptoms. «A half part of similar patients cannot be diagnosed in Georgia, while another part has incorrect diagnosis», the meeting participants noted.

«We have met today, because this disease is already recorded in Georgia. I would like to note with a full responsibility that today these patients are fully protected. The only expensive preparation that will alleviate their lives and cure them, fortunately, already exists in our country. Today, our patients are able to

have the mentioned preparations», Kakha Vacharadze noted.

Over the past year the IPF workgroup, in collaboration with experts, doctors and patients, developed disease diagnosis and treatment algorithms, composed the list of patients, who urgently need treatment with anti-fibrosis medications. At the same time, it is important that nongovernmental organizations named idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) as a rare disease and the 2016 priority direction. A co-financing program was enacted in 2017 for a 80% financing of patients treatment by antifibrotic therapy. «I hope in 2018 our disease will be included in the list of rare diseases and we will receive full financing for treatment», Elene Samkharadze said.

As part of the event, a photo exposition was also held with the support of photographer Irakli Gedenidze, under the aegis of Breathe Out photo project. Various artists, writers and famous public figures, including Eka Togonidze, Teona Dolenjashvili, Ana Koshadze, Bakhva Bregvadze, Giorgi Barbakadze and others took part in the event.

«I decided to do my best to promote this genuinely important project and I think, based on profession, I have managed to express the vision, which was fulfilled and which is expressed by photo materials today», Irakli Gedenidze said.

Breathe Out – Presentation of Breathe Out with Hope – Photo Project in Open Air

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Turkey, Bulgaria hard at work on gas project

EIB allocates $8B to projects in Eastern Partnership countries The European Investment Bank supports infrastructure and environmental projects in Eastern Partnership countries from Lviv to Baku, said Vazil Hudak, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB).

He made the remarks during the 4th Eastern Partnership Business Forum Digital Economy: Innovative Platform for Transparent Borderless Business that kicked off in Tallinn Oct 26. He noted that up to now, the EIB has allocated $8 billion to projects in Eastern Partnership countries.

It is a big figure, he said, adding that teh EIB also focuses on the development of digital economy.

Hudak further noted that it is important that young people in Eastern Partnership countries wouldn’t move to attractive countries in terms of business development and stay in their countries.

The 4th Eastern Partnership Business Forum is a traditional side event to the EU Eastern Partnership Summit. The main objective of the forum is to promote cross-border economic relations, transparency, new business opportunities and cooperation between EU and Eastern Partnership countries, with particular focus on SMEs. In Azerbaijan, the EU assists companies with funding, training, and export support to new markets through the EU4Business initiative. Since 2009, 444 million manats (€222 million) has been provided in total for 14,000 Azerbaijani companies.

BP reveals volume of investments in Azerbaijani oil & gas projects BP and its partners invested $36.87 billion in oil and gas projects in Azerbaijan in 20122016, according to BP Azerbaijan Sustainability Report 2016. Capital expenditures for the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG), Shah Deniz, Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and South Caucasus projects amounted to $29.845 billion, and operating expenses were estimated at $7.025 billion. At the same time, capital expenditures for projects since the beginning of operations in 1995 amounted to $64.5 billion.

BP and its partners spent $72 million for the implementation of social programs, and these expenditures amounted to $19.1 million for the period of 2012-2016. “From the start of production until the end of 2016, 92.7 million tons of oil have been extracted from the Chirag platform, 105.7 million tons from Central Azeri, 96 million tons from West Azeri, 54.7 million tons from East Azeri, 53.9 million tons from Deepwater Gunashli, 13.8 million tons from West Chirag,” the report said. “The total production from the ACG block at the end of 2016 amounted to 416.7 million tons of oil.”

At the end of 2016, a total of 100 oil wells were producing, and 49 wells were used for gas or water injection. Five of these wells were among BP’s top 10 producing wells around the world in 2016. From the start of production until the end of 2016, 78.4 billion cubic meters of gas and 19.6 million tons of condensate were extracted from the Shah Deniz gas field.

Bulgarian and Turkish gas operators Bulgartransgaz and Botaş will hold meetings as soon as possible to speed up progress for the Turkey-Bulgaria Gas Interconnection Project “ITB,” Nadezhda Neynsky, Bulgaria’s ambassador to Turkey, told state-run Anadolu Agency on Sept. 25. Neynsky said Bulgaria attaches great importance to the development of Bulgarian-Turkish relations and sees further potential for cooperation, particularly in the energy sector. A delegation headed by Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Berat Albayrak in a visit to Sofia on Sept.

7 discussed bilateral energy cooperation with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and Energy Minister Temenuzhka Petkova.

“Both sides agreed to intensify cooperation in the field of gas and electricity. In this regard, the gas operators Bulgartransgaz and Botaş as well as electricity operators ESO and TEİAŞ will hold bilateral meetings as soon as possible,” the Bulgarian ambassador added.

Bulgartransgaz and Botaş are working on the realization of the joint Turkey-Bulgaria ITB, for which Bulgartransgaz has prepared

a feasibility study for the Bulgarian territory co-funded by the EU under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) mechanism, Neynsky said. “This feasibility study was sent to the Turkish side and Botaş’s position in response is expected,” Neynsky noted. Bulgaria is paying special attention to this project, which ensures the development of reversible interconnections of gas transmission networks of Bulgartransgaz and Botaş. The project is an opportunity to allow for the diversification of natural gas sources, the supply to both partners and routes, and greater competition while enhancing the security of supply in the region, the ambassador added.

“As part of the priority Southern Gas Corridor, the project is key to the security and diversification of sources and routes for the supply of natural gas to and through Bulgaria and the southeast Europe region. The ITB can provide access to all current and future entry points and sources in Turkey, gas from Azerbaijan and other natural gas as well as LNG spot supplies from existing terminals in Turkey,” she added.

US company to take part in $190-million construction of hydro power plant in Armenia Twitter Bans Russia Today and Sputnik From Advertising Twitter Inc. is banning advertising from all accounts owned by Russia Today and Sputnik effective immediately, after U.S. investigators concluded the Russian media companies attempted to interfere in the 2016 presidential election. It’s one of the biggest changes made yet by social media companies who have been called to respond to the U.S. government’s concerns. Twitter has said that RT, a TV network funded by the Russian government, spent $274,100 in U.S. ads in 2016.

“This decision was based on the retrospective work we’ve been doing around the 2016 U.S. election,” Twitter said in a blog post Thursday. “We did not come to this decision lightly, and are taking this step now as part of our ongoing commitment to help protect the integrity of the user experience on Twitter.”

The company said it’s taking the $1.9 million it estimated it earned from RT since the TV network joined as an advertiser in 2011 and will donate the money to funds that support external research into the use of Twitter in civic engagement and elections.

RT reacted with a blog post of its own, claiming Twitter pushed the network for “a large ad buy” for the election, but

the channel declined the offer. RT said it was given an in-depth presentation, in which Twitter showed how its users were reacting to the main candidates at the time -- Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. Twitter declined to comment on the exchange.

RT also said the $274,100 was mostly spent on general promotion of the RT accounts to reach new audiences, not to promote election-related tweets to the U.S. audience. A person familiar with the matter said Twitter’s conversations with Russia Today had been part of the industry standard of pitching any potential advertiser. It’s the job of any ad sales team to aggressively recruit and retain clients, and sometimes they use strong language in order to do so, the person said, asking not to be identified talking about private ad discussions.

Earlier this week, Twitter took steps to address congressional concerns by creating a new “transparency center” to show how much each political ad campaigns spent on advertising, the identity of the organization funding the campaign, and what demographics the ad targeted. Twitter had faced mounting criticism for its failure to take election manipulation by overseas actors on its platform seriously.

The Robbins Company will take part in the construction of Shnokh Hydro Power Plant in Armenia, the press office of the Armenian ministry of energy infrastructures and natural resources reported on Wednesday.

According to the ministry’s press release, an appropriate cooperation memorandum was signed Wednesday by Debed Hydro LLC, which is a subsidiary of Energo Invest Holding that is registered and operating in Armenia, and The Robbins Company, which has a rich international experience in building large tunnels. The signing ceremony was attended

by Ashot Manukyan, Armenian energy infrastructures and natural resources minister, and US Ambassador to Armenia Richard Mills.

Manukyan is quoted in the press release as saying that the Shnokh Hydro Power Plant construction program is an important step in enhancement of Armenia’s energy security as part of the government’s strategy and that the government highly appreciates the fact that this step is being taken in partnership with American colleagues. The minister thanked both Energo Invest Holding and The Robbins Company for this initiative saying it is very important for the country’s energy system and economy. Ambassador Mills, on his side, said that the signing of the memorandum is and example of the growing cooperation between Armenia and the United States.

The memorandum lays groundwork for investment by the American company in Debed Hydro LLC’s authorized capital. The memorandum also implies that the company will provide machinery for laying a 22kilometer water tunnel under the program of Shnokh Hydro Power Plant construction and will retrain local specialists.

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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 Kingdom of Spain Embassy Rustaveli Ave. 24, I floor, Tbilisi Tel: 230-54-64 E-mail: emb.tiflis@maec.esRomania Embassy 7 Kushitashvili St., Tbilisi Tel: 38-53-10; 25-00-98/97 E-mail: ambasada@caucasus.net Republic of Poland Embassy

Tbilisi Guide 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 European Investment Bank Regional Representation for the South Caucasus Address: 1,G.Tabidze Street, Freedom Square Phone: +995 322 006284

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 River Side Hotel With incredible service and views Addr: Mari Brosse street turn, Old Tbilisi.

Tel: +995 32 2242244; +995 32 2242288 Fax: +995 32 2 242277 Email: info@riverside.ge Website: www.riverside.ge

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

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,

15 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

75 Agmashenebeli Ave. Tbilisi Tel: 577 18 27 87 Email: hostelmtevnebi@yahoo.com

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

Limelight Travel info Center 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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October 30, 2017 #214