Caucasus Business Week #318

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BUSINESS caucasus

March 16, 2020 - www.cbw.ge

#318

WEEK

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How Coronavirus Affects Business and the Economy

Georgian Azerbaijani Economic Cooperation

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Some Hotels Closed, Holidays Extended– How Coronavirus Affects the Tourism Sector

Levan Silagava: Importers Have no Ground to Think the Anti-dumping Law will Overprotect Domestic Business

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Lufthansa to Cancel 23,000 Flights In total, Lufthansa Group will cancel 23,000 flights from March 29th till April 24th.

Bank of Georgia to Defer Loan Payments Due to Coronavirus Georgia's major bank BOG announced support measures for customers affected by coronavirus.

Georgia to Receive Tests on Coronavirus from China Free of Charge 21% of the Flights Scheduled for March Canceled at Tbilisi Airport Coronavirus outbreak has significantly reduced its scheduled flights to Tbilisi International Airport.

China will hand over to Georgia 1 000 tests in the value of USD 420 thousand to reveal the novel coronavirus and other respiratory viruses rapidly free of charge.

Night Clubs of Tbilisi Bassiani and Khidi Cancelled Events Temporarily Coronavirus Effect – Hotels Suspend Operation in Tbilisi

Night clubs of Tbilisi, Khidi and Bassiani canceled the events temporarily.

Hotels in Tbilisi started suspending operation because of cancelled bookings, Shalva Alaverdashvili, founder of the Federation of Restaurants and Hotels told BM.Ge. Georgian Deputy Minister Tested Positive For the Coronavirus Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Iuri Nozadze tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the ministry confirmed.

Georgian Railway Saw 20% Increase in January-February in Freight Transportation

By January and February of this year, the number of cargo transported by Georgian Railway amounted to 1.88 million tons.

Economy Ministry and Its Staff Moves to Distance Working Mode As instructed by Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia and by decision of Georgian Economy Minister Natia Turnava, on March 13, 2020.

TBC Bank will Delay Debt Payments Due to Coronavirus Georgia's one of the largest bank is preparing to postpone debt payments for people affected by coronavirus as the number of cases in Georgia rises to 25.

The Editorial Board Follows Press Freedom Principles Publisher: LLC Caucasian Business Week - CBW Director: Levan Beglarishvili WWW.CBW.GE Address: Aleksidze Street 1 Sales: Mob: +995 591 01 39 36 Email: caucasianbusiness@gmail.com Editor: Nutsa Galumashvili. Mobile phone: 595 380382 Copy Editor: Ellie Rambo Reporters: Nina Gomarteli; Mariam Kopaliani; Merab Janiashvili, Economic columnist: Andria Gvidiani; Technical Assistant: Giorgi Kheladze;

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How Coronavirus Affects Business and the Economy How coronavirus is affecting the global economy, and what outcomes we should expect in the Georgian economy - Otar Nadaraia, TBC Bank’s senior economist, and Eva Bochorishvili, director of the Galt & Taggart Research Department, have analyzed these issues for the TV Program Business Partner.

As noted by Otar Nadaraia, considering the various possible scenarios, the coronavirus will have only a short-term effect on the economy. There are three possible scenarios: the global economy will recover relatively rapidly from this major shock in about two months; under the second scenario, the economy will need a longer period to recover, and it will start recovering in the third quarter; as for the third scenario, we should expect a global collapse.

In the first case, the economy will be revived in about 2 months, like China, Eva Bochorishvili, head of the Galt & Taggart research department noted.

“China has curbed this virus and the economy has started to recover. This process is ongoing. Under the same scenario, Georgia will have to pass a difficult period in March and April, and then we should expect the tourism industry to recover its former status. Consequently, economic growth will accelerate”, Bochorishvili said.

TBC Bank’s Senior Economist expects the second scenario. Despite the situation stabilized in China, the reality is worsening in other countries. This means that we will have a difficult period in March, April and May, Otar Nadaraia pointed out.

“We should count on the middle scenario, because I believe the Chinese experience will take place in other countries, too, in March and May. Naturally, there are questions about the efficiency of these measures, how effective measures other governments carry out will be; however, we should take into consideration that China is the source of the virus’ spread, and the problem is bigger in China”, Nadaraia noted.

These three months will have negative results for the Georgian tourism industry, too; however, in summer, the situation will be stabilized, but we should see annual growth this year. Furthermore, a plunge in global oil prices and the depreciated Ruble are also expected to shake the Georgian GEL, however, we expect only short-term shocks in any scenario, Nadaraia noted.

“Despite the different scenarios, we will have short-term shocks anyway. The difference between short-term and long-term shocks is that, in the short-term, financial inflows may be balanced before their restoration. Therefore, it is important to attract foreign currency. As for the exchange rate, regretfully, the GEL’s depreciation is rational.

Naturally, the GEL may devalue further, but I believe, in this case, the National Bank of Georgia (NBG) will take the appropriate decisions. As for the alleviation of monetary policy, in the current situation, this is ruled out in practice. If the GEL’s exchange rate keeps falling, I think it would be expedient to further tighten monetary policy in GEL, and smooth it out in a foreign currency, as it was decided in 2019. I do not rule out, either, that the National Bank will sell off foreign currency reserves”, Nadaraia noted.

If the GEL’s depreciation continued, the trend may accelerate the inflation rate, he added.

“According to TBC Capital’s study, if the oil price (Brent oil) at about 40 USD, and if the current exchange rate is maintained too, the inflation rate in 2020 will be 2-3%. This means that a further devaluation trend will grow with inflationary pressure”, Nadaraia said.

As noted by Eva Bochorishvili, head of the Galt &Taggart research department, if the negative effects of the coronavirus on the economy deepens, fiscal stimulus will gain crucial importance. The parameters of the budget enable the government to take out external debts to support the economy, if necessary, she noted.

“If the virus spreads further, and the negative effects deepen, naturally, fiscal stimulus will be of critical importance to our economy. In the current situation, the budget deficit is planned to be below 3% of GDP. The state or government debt constituted 40% of the GDP. If the worst case scenario happens, taxes shrink and so on, and if we need to take additional loans, I think the current parameters will not worsen dramatically.

The fiscal space exists so that the government is able to take extra loans to support the economy.

Amid negative trends, it is important to attract foreign financial support to help the GEL and grow our foreign reserves, and this is very important.

In this respect, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has allocated an impressive amount of funds, the World Bank (WB) has also allocated the appropriate finances, and countries that depend on the tourism sector have the opportunity to attract these funds more easily, and our country should also think about these opportunities”, Bochorishvili noted.

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Some Hotels Closed, Holidays Extended– How Coronavirus Affects the Tourism Sector Last week, the National Center for Disease Control confirmed that a child was tested positive for the coronavirus in Georgia.

The 12-year-old child was a member of a group that visited Italy several days ago. The group’s members were in self-isolation, and the virus was detected during a repeated test. After this revelation, the interdepartmental coordination board led by Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia took the decision to extend holidays at Georgian educational institutions to April 1.

This extraordinary program was introduced at all government offices.

In this situation, the Caucasus Business Week (CBW) has inquired as to how the coronavirus may affect the business.

Georgian importers have assured that, despite the global challenges, and at this stage, there are no grounds for panic in Georgia, and food products and hygiene products will not rise in price.

After the coronavirus’ spread to Georgia was officially confirmed, some of our citizens started stockpiling food. As noted by Iva Chkonia, the Head of the Distributors Association, said that at this stage, there are no grounds for panic, and companies have created the necessary reserves of food and hygiene products.

“Companies continue to operate the same way they did in 2019. The borders remain open for importers, and they face no obstacles. People can live without home appliances and new clothes for a certain period, but laundry detergents and food products are necessary everyday products, and our citizens would feel their absence if there are problems”, Iva Chkonia said.

We should not expect the price of products to rise. There is a sharp competition on the global market, and one problematic product may be replaced by another, Iva Chkonia said.

“If there is a problem with imports of one specific product and the manufacturing countries suspend production because of the current situation, we will have alternative sources. The market is big, competition is sharp, and we can replace one detergent with another. They have the same situation with food products. If our key suppliers, such as Turkey, Ukraine, Russia, suspend production, we can import the same products from other countries, and just the transportation costs will be added to the price. In this case, products may rise in price, but ultimately without consequence. I assure you that there are no similar threats at this stage”, Chkonia noted.

“There are no preconditions for product deficit or rising prices”, Vakhtang Sadzaglishvli, Director of Charm Trading importer company, noted.

“There is an uneasy situation across the world, and it may worsen tomorrow. We cannot make forecasts in advance, but today, we have no grounds for panic. If the situation worsens, and some countries suspend production of any product, naturally, product imports will shrink temporarily. However, major manufacturers have production lines in various countries, and the market will be redirected to other markets”, Vakhtang Sadzaglishvili said.

Some Tbilisi-based hotels were closed temporarily, while others operated with half the staff, after the majority of bookings were cancelled.

As noted by Shalva Alaverdashvili, founder of the Hotels and Restaurants Federation, the hospitality industry asks the government to establish preferences. It would be excellent if bank obligations will be postponed for 2 months for those hotels that pay leasing fees, he said.

“Over the past year, the tourism industry has faced serious problems. After the ski resorts were left without a water supply this winter, tourisms cancelled 90% of their bookings. Now, the sector is suffering coronavirus-related problems. Bookings from several months ago were cancelled, and some of them suspended operations for several months”, Shalva Alaverdashvili noted.

Because of reduced bookings, The Adjara Group granted a paid vacation to 50% of its staff.

“The majority of bookings were cancelled, and this is an international problem, not a domestic one. Therefore, we have decided to ensure the safety of our staff. Consequently, we have granted paid vacation to them. Over the past 10 days, 90% of the bookings were cancelled. Our hotels in Tbilisi and Kazbegi work at 20% of full capacity”, Adjara Group representatives noted.

The Kalasi Hotel on Kote Apkhazi Boulevard in Tbilisi has suspended operation for two weeks, and the hotel management is waiting for stabilization after numerous cancelled bookings, Hotel sales manager Tata Sarjveladze noted.

“We have suspended operation for two weeks. Over the past 3 months, we have not received bookings, and the hotel became unprofitable. Therefore, we have decided to temporarily suspend operations. We will return to the usual regime in two weeks”, Tata Sarjveladze noted.

Salome Gulordava, the head of the marketing department of the Museum Hotel, also complained about coronavirus related challenges, but as she noted, the Museum Hotel continues to operate normally.

“The majority of bookings were cancelled, but the hotel was not closed, and we continue to work as normal. We take into account all the recommendations issued by the corresponding instances regarding how to conduct ourselves in this situation.

We are constantly working on disinfection. We cannot make forecasts on future plans, because this is a global problem, and we do not know how long it will last”, Salome Gulordava noted.

We remind you that as of March 12th, Georgia has registered 25 infected persons. At this stage, 126 persons have remained in quarantine, and 46 persons are under special supervision.

The first case was registered on February 26. This infected person entered the country from Iran via Azerbaijan.

The coronavirus broke out in China in December 2019. On January 21, China confirmed that coronavirus was transmitted from person to person, and introduced a quarantine regime in two big cities .

At this stage, the coronavirus has been spread in more than 100 countries. Corporations such as Apple, Google, IKEA, Burger King, Hyundai, Swatch have fully or partly shut down their operations in China. The USA, EU countries and Asian countries are trying to curb the virus spread through new regulations. More than 40 airlines, including American, Delta, United, Lufthansa and British Airways have banned flights to China.

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The attractiveness of investment and investment prospects amid the challenges posed by the coronavirus in 2020 – Zviad Chumburidze, secretary general of the EU-Georgia Business Council, discussed these issues on Business Partner.

A country like Georgia, with various risks, should offer much more guarantees to foreign investors to attract investments.

Top officials should provide these guarantees. This is the responsibility of the authorities, Zviad Chumburidze noted, and added that in 2020, it will be very difficult to attract investments amid the coronavirus outbreak and the coming parliamentary elections.

“We have two big problems this year – the coronavirus is a definite obstacle that will push away investors interested in foreign countries, and the election year; a very difficult year is ahead. We know that several days ago, the ruling party and the opposition signed a new agreement on the election system. I would like to thank the USA and EU. Once again, we have witnessed that Georgians have failed to reach an agreement with each other.

These disagreements would continue, if not for the mediation of the EU and the USA”, Chumburidze said Georgia suffers problems in almost all respects that shape an attractive investment environment, he noted.

As for direct investments, first, we should create an attractive and stable environment. Without a stable environment, the big investors that you want to see in your country will stay away. We need decent state services and officers, and a good judicial system, first of all, he said.

As noted by Chumburidze, if the court system fails to get rid of the current, investors will hesitate to make investments in our country, because arbitration and the courts are only an instrument. The culture of arbitration remains undeveloped in our country, and we know how trials are protracted for three, four and five years. Some cases

may be resolved shortly, but not on behalf of investors, Chumburidze said.

“This depends on our attitudes. The third factor is related to our considerations as to what regulations and legislations should be introduced, and how investors should be encouraged. It is unacceptable that the authorities introduce a new law 2-3 weeks earlier, without consultations with businesses. Caring for investors is the fourth aspect, and a very important one. The authorities, Ombudsman, business associations should unite efforts to resolve all issues of dispute. If we fail to settle the situation, and cases are put before the court, then every investment will become questionable. Therefore, all four of these components shape an attractive environment. Regretfully we have problems in every quadrant”, Chumburidze noted.

The occupied territories and political tensions with Russia represent additional risk factors for investors. We allow for the fact that major foreign investors enter the country and the authorities should provide additional guarantees in this regard, Chumburidze pointed out.

“Therefore, I say that, for example, BP has been presiding over the EU-Georgia Business Council for 16 years, is the biggest player in the region, based in Azerbaijan and Georgia, and this company is not the only investor in Georgia, but also a certain guarantor of safety. Consequently, we should try to attract major investors in various directions, and give guarantees to them.

This is the government’s responsibility, first of all. I say this openly: top officials should provide these guarantees - the President, the Prime Minister, at least a Minister. The point is that in countries like Georgia, with so many threats, the occupied territories and the state of war with the big neighbor, need many more guarantees to attract investors, and it is up to the authorities to fulfill this mission”, Chumburidze noted.

We have the unique opportunity to bring into closer collaboration countries in the

Black Sea and Caspian Sea basins through Georgia-Azerbaijan cooperation, he said.

Georgian-Azerbaijani cooperation is very important in this regard, and despite long strategic partnership, these two countries have not fully employed the potential of their economic and geopolitical relations, Chumburidze said.

“We have a unique opportunity to bring closer the countries of the Black Sea and the Caspian basins through GeorgianAzerbaijani cooperation. This is a unique cooperation between two countries in this region. Azerbaijan is our strategic partner, and I would like for this partnership to be intensified. Therefore, our board conducted a Georgia-Azerbaijan business forum on March 5th, and about 40 companies were represented at the event.

Two delegations arrived from Azerbaijan.

One was a very important organization, the Caspian European Club, and its honorary chairman is President Ilham Alyiev; another Azerbiajani company was AzPromo (the Investments and Exports Promotion Fund of Azerbaijan) with a representative delegation that introduced very interesting information to the business community. Our party was also very representative. The First Deputy Minister of the Economy of Georgia and the Azerbaijani Ambassador also attended the event. The main thing: general sponsors, like BP, the biggest player in the region, and SOCAR, the biggest energy player, and Pasha Bank, which is famous for its mega-projects, also attended the forum”, Chumburidze said.

The Georgia-Azerbaijan business forum that was held on March 5 will grow into a permanent format, and it will be held every year either in Baku or in Tbilisi.

The work is underway to transform the forma t into a trilateral platform through engagement with Turkey, and forums will be held in Tbilisi or in Batumi, Baku and Istanbul. This cooperation is aiming towards getting closer to Europe, Chumburidze noted.

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Levan Silagava: Importers Have no Ground to Think the Anti-dumping Law will Overprotect Domestic Business The anti-dumping law, its importance and the problems that might result from legislative gaps in this regard - in his interview for Business Partner, Levan Silagava, President of the Georgian Producers’ Federation, discussed these issues.

There are no grounds to think that the antidumping law will overprotect domestic business. For many years, we have had unanswered questions about why some products are imported at dumping prices. Therefore, we definitely need to adopt anti-dumping legislation to answer these problems, Levan Silagava noted.

As initiated by the Economy Ministry, the antidumping law was to come into force on January 1, 2020, but the enforcement will be postponed until 2021, because the required technical and intellectual resources should be prepared to better enforce the legislation, he added.

For many years, certain areas of domestic business have complained that importers resort to dumping-level prices, and they demand the introduction of antidumping legislation. This decision will cast light on whether these complaints have a basis in reality, Levan Silagava explained.

We should adopt this law. Recently, this issue was put into practice by major companies such as German HeidelbergCement and the Rustavi Metallurgical Plant, which employ thousands of our citizens. These questions are constantly posed by our Federation and business circles. Representatives of domestic business ask whether the current practices are acceptable for domestic producers, importers, and the country as a whole, Silagava said.

“Besides our association, the Business Association, the European Association, the Employers Association, and the Distributors Association have also engaged in the latest discussions – all those major associations and business

companies which have a connection to this antidumping bill. Consequently, the current bill submitted to the Parliament is the result of discussions that were held in Kachreti in 2019, where all questions were answered in written form, over the course of three days. This version was agreed to by foreign experts, some from the EU, as well as every government structure and the business community.

We have found the balance point needed so that importers and domestic business have a joint vision on how anti-dumping legislation will work. The enforcement mechanism is another issue, as well as issues relating to various other methodologies. The project has a lot of filters to protect importers from losses, because these filters complicate procedures to submit antidumping applications, start the proceedings, and then form a conclusion. Both importers and domestic businesses have their own protection mechanisms”, Silagava said.

Importers have no grounds to fear that antidumping law will create a hothouse condition for domestic business, because very difficult procedures will be enacted in order to start proceedings, because similar cases are not instituted by the request of only one company and, in practice, the whole field should engage in this process, he added.

On the other hand, if the suspected importer registers the situation as dumping and stops it, the case will be concluded. If the importer does not admit to the situation, the proceedings will , if the proceedings fail to confirm dumping, the aggrieved importer will receive compensation.

“Consequently, there are no grounds to think that the antidumping law will overprotect domestic businesses on the domestic market; however, without this law, we will have a lot of unanswered questions ”, Levan Silagava noted.

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Ana Metreveli: - "New Technologies in Marketing are Changing Everything We Know and Believe " Interview with Marketing Consultant at the company ‘’Inspiration Marketing,’’ and Marketing Director of Nexia TA., Ana Metreveli.

Tell us about how you got into the field of marketing, and what factors played an important role in choosing this profession?

Truth be told, I didn't decide on marketing at first, it came about automatically, decided by my first job. Then I realized that this is exactly the kind of profession that I’m interested in, what attracts me, and makes me feel good, but at the same time, pushes me to constantly grow and to move forward.

Amidst the current technological changes, what challenges do you face?

New technologies literally change everything we know and believe.

It also results in important business tools that are used for marketing success, and vary considerably from year to year. I think it's the duty of marketers to keep up to date with the speed of these changes, which in itself means more challenges, but brings us even closer to our products, services, and, of course, customers.

What has changed in the field in the last 5 years, and what changes are expected?

The digitalization of the marketing field and the start of a new media channel are effectively used to deliver, positioning, and most importantly, get feedback from the customer. This transformation puts marketing services in 24-hour mode, which is exciting, but at the same time a challenge.

What do you think are the most important qualities a marketing manager should have, and what is his or her role in the organization in general?

When talking about a feature such as this, there are a few things, first of all, you have to understand what are the demands on the market, and what the customer wants. The second is to support the company in creating an adequate product for demand, and the third is to deliver the right idea, product or service to the target segment.

The most important abilities are: analysis, strategy, creativity.

sometimes traditional.

What do you do to keep the organization from falling behind on the latest trends, and keep applying innovative approaches to marketing?

Drive.

We strengthen our brand, we work on brand development and marketing strategies, and we also look at what our target segment is using; our segment is diverse, so we do integrate channels and approaches, sometimes innovative,

What's an organization's business model in marketing? How is it focused on the customer?

That’s the field of B2B marketing. Every step is tailored to our client's demands, attitudes and needs.

One word that describes your job.

The most useful advice you’ve ever received in your life.

Move on, sticking to the same place never works.

Think of a person who inspires you professionally.

The Founder of Inspiration Marketing - Irina Dumbadze.

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Business News

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You can study at Miami Ad School Europe with the scholarship of Nika Gujejiani.Apply for a Portfolio Program and get 100% funding by fill out the application form by March 31.

Mariam (Sasha) Akulashvili Becomes Art Director of Space In the last two years, she was a graphical designer of creative agency Holmes & Watson. Till then, she also worked as a graphical designer in Betterfly DDB and TBC. Cooperation Between Dirsi and Bank of Georgia is Moving to a New Stage Applications Contest to Start Initiated by TBC Registration on applications contest initiated by TBC has already started. Everyone who wishes to simplify daily work for businesses with web applications and promote automatization processes can participate in the contest.

Within the framework of cooperation with the Bank of Georgia, Dirsi has signed another agreement, according to which the Bank of Georgia will offer simplified mortgage loan procedures to those wishing to purchase an apartment in Dirsi housing complex.

TBC to Implement Georgian Fabrics Project together with Palace of Arts After the campaign for popularizing Georgian literacy and Georgian Arts, TBC Bank plans to implement a new project for culture heritage that is related to Georgian traditional fabric and textile.

Creathon made in Georgian Mountains - Creative Touch Accomplished its Mission On 27 February – 1 March, Creative Touch brought together UX/UI Designers, film directors, VR/AR developers, product managers, content creators, artists and marketers up in the mountains of Kazbegi for an unforgettable experience.

Jessica Walsh's new Startup in Georgia Ladies, Wine & Design Ladies, Wine & Design is a global non-profit initiative with chapters in 280 cities worldwide.

LW&D was started by Jessica Walsh when she realized that sometimes peers can be competitive

Film Dede to Be Screened in Washington Embassy of Georgia in Washington will host screening of the film "Dede" by Mariam Khachvani on March 12th.

Georgian Brand Luca Polare Sells Franchisee on International Market

Georgian Company Caru Enters Ukrainian Market

Luka Polare plans to enter the international market and holds negotiations on selling franchisee with Azerbaijan, Armenia, and countries of western Europe.

Car service company Caru has appeared on the Ukrainian market and launched operation in Kyiv.

As noted by the company founder Nika Abashidze, initially, the company will pass validation and supervise how the company will grow. Later, the company will enter other cities too.

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11 March 16, 2020 #318 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: 29167-40/41/42 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 Pixel Center, 34, Ilia Chavchavadze Ave. 3rd floor Tel: +995 32 227 62 00 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 Oniashvili str. 24, Tbilisi Tel.: +995322 920398; Fax: +995322 920397 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, 291-2689/59 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 Embassy of The Republic of Korea 12, Titsian Tabidze Str. Tbilisi 0179, Geogia Tel: (995 32) 297 03 18; 297 03 20; Fax: (995 32) 242 74 40; Email: georgia@mofa.go.kr 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 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, 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 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

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