Caucasus Business Week #252

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September 17, 2018 - www.cbw.ge

#252

WEEK

After Legalization Georgia Plans to Export Marijuana

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Georgia Named among 12 Best Countries for Starting Business

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Why Fuel Prices Beat Historical Maximum

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Georgian Based IT Company Apollo 11Exported Intellectual Resource to Foreign Markets

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Giorgi Tskhadadze: GWP Will Renew 350 km Long Water Supply in Tbilisi Georgian Water and Power runs 4000km water and sewerage network in the capital city. Company’s priority is to provide population with stable and quality water supply.

Tbilisi Hosted International Conference of Argus Media “Argus Caspian Black Sea Transport Corridor 2018” – the event was opened at Hotel “Biltmore” today.

Davit Peradze, General Director of Georgian Railway, made a speech at the conference about following topics.

My Way Airlines Launches Flight to Budapest From October 28, My Way Airlines will start to operate flights on the route Tbilisi-Budapest. Flights will be performed three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays

by Boeing 737-800 type of aircrafts.

Use of Plastic Bags to Be Gradually Prohibited from October 1 From October 1, 2018, it is prohibited to manufacture, import and sell less than 15 microscopic plastic bags.

Kutaisi is Ready to Make 100% Switch to Renewable Energy by 2050

Airplanes Technical Maintenance Center to Open in Tbilisi A parking shelter will be built on the territory of Tbilisi International Airport to serve any types of Boeing airplanes and Airbus A-320/330.

Kutaisi is the first city within the Caucasus that, during the global mobilization day “Act for Climate”, pledged its readiness to make a 100% switch to renewable energy by 2050. A respective memorandum will be finalized between the international organization 350.org and the mayor of Kutaisi Giorgi Chighvaria, in the near future.

TBC Appointed New Directors

Georgia to Build 195 New Power Generation Facilities A total of 195 new power generation facilities will be constructed in Georgian power sector. Total investment value of them makes up 11.1 billion USD, the government’s report submitted to the parliament reads.

Kazakhstan Oil to Flow through Georgia Soon Transit of hydrocarbons through the territory of Georgia from Kazakstan will start soon.

Director of GR Transit, Davit Chiradze told BM.ge. According to him, the agreement between the parties will be signed at Argus Conference.

Maria Luiza Kikonian and Tsira Kemularia were appointed as independent non-executive directors of TBC. In addition, both of them became member of the Bank’s Supervisory Board.

Regional Factory of Swiss Company Stadler to be built in Georgia Peter Spuhler, CEO of The Swiss company Stadler is paying a visit to Georgia. The world’s leading train manufacturer company had a meeting with the Director General of “Georgian Railway” Davit Peradze and Vice-Mayor of Tbilisi Irakli Khmaladze.

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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Georgia Named among 12 Best Countries for Starting Business Georgia Ranks 4th Worldwide in the 2018 Doing Business Rating The Reboot Digital Agency has named 12 best countries for starting a business, including Georgia ranks fourth. The agency has used the World Bank’s Doing Business indicators, as well as indicators reflecting the minimum capital for starting business and the time for registering a new business.

Georgia’s rating point is 97.84, up 2.12 points compared to the previous year. Hong Kong and Canada surpass Georgia, while New Zealand ranks first in the rating.

In 2017 Georgia gained 7 positions in the World Bank’s Doing Business rating, compared to 2016 and moved to the 9th place with 82 point. The World Bank’s new report reads that Georgia ranks 9th among the world’s 20 leading countries and the country has carried out at least 47 reforms since 2003 for improving doing business indicators.

According to the organization indicators, in terms of doing business New Zealand ranks first (99.96%), Canada is second (98.23%), Hong Kong is third with 98.14%, Georgia ranks fourth (97.84%), Jamaica is fifth with 97.3%, Singapore is 6th with 96.49%, Australia is 7th with 96.47%, Ireland is 8th with 95.91%, South Korea is 9th with 95.83%, Kosovo is 10th with 95.67%, Uzbekistan is 11th with 95.54% and Estonia ranks 12th with 95.15%.

It should be noted that in the 2018 Doing Business rating, Georgia ranks 9th and the country has gained 7 positions compared to 2017. In 2018 Georgia’s point was improved by 2.12 point (to 82.04 point) and the country moved to the 9th position from 16th position among 190 countries.

Georgia remains a leading country in Europe and Central Asia as it has taken significant steps in terms of better and more efficient regulations.

Compared to the previous year, in 2018 Georgia surpassed such countries as Sweden, Macedonia, Estonia, Finland, Australia, Taiwan (China), Latvia.

In the 2018 report, Georgia improved 5 indicators and maintained 4 indicators unchanged. The country has not worsened any indicator in the 2018 rating. The following indicators were improved: Starting business – 4th position (8th position in 2017); Electricity connection to the net-

work – 30th position (39th position in 2017); Protection of small shareholders – 2nd position (7th position in 2017); Fulfillment of contracts – 7th position (16th position in 2017); Resolution of insolvency cases – 57th position (106th position in 2017); Over the past period, from Georgia’s successful international ratings, we should mention the report for tourism growth pace, under

which Georgia ranks fourth among the world’s most rapidly growing tourism countries. According to the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), in Georgia in 2017 the number of tourists rose by about 28% compared to the previous year and surpassed such countries as Italy, Spain and Turkey.

The rating is topped by Egypt, Togo and Vietnam. Iceland, Nepal and Palestine are among top 10 countries. In whole, in 2017 number of tourists rose by 6.8% compared to 2016 and this is the highest figure since 2009, including the major figure of tourists is recorded in Europe. Expenditures taken by international tourists have also risen by 5% to 1.34 billion USD. Despite Georgia has recorded successful indicators in several international ratings, these advancements are not always reflected on population and their results do not frequently justify expectations. Frequently, countries, including Georgia, carry out a number of reforms and legislative amendments for improving positions in this or that specific rating. As a result, similar artificial efforts do not bring efficient benefits to population. At the same time, it should be noted that Georgia’s positive positioning in international ratings is important in a number of directions, including for upgrading Georgia’s global perception, attracting foreign investments, improving the image of our country and so on.

Consequently, it is an absolutely understanding and acceptable aspiration to improve positions in international ratings, however, the Authorities should not forget that the legislation should not be tailored to only investors and domestic entrepreneurs need wider support.

By Merab Janiashvili

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Why Fuel Prices Beat Historical Maximum The past period has recorded quite painful developments on the fuel market as the price of a liter of petrol beat the historical maximum.

Consequently, regarding the mentioned issue, I have heard a lot of comments and forecasts (another issue is how qualified these forecasts were, who someone was trying to justify the current tendencies).

To put simply, the price of one liter of petrol has exceeded 2.65 GEL. Lobbyists of oil products importer companies and others mention 3 key factors to explain this growth: 1) national currency; 2) growing tariffs on international markets and 3) increased excise rate.

1) National currency: it is true that over the past week the national currency depreciated by 3 points in relation to USD. But could this process really increase fuel prices?

Everything seems to be in order.

GEL lost 3 positions. Prices on all categories of fuels rose by 3 Tetri on average and the lowest price of Super fuel constituted 2.55 GEL. But what is reality? If we analyze the indicators of the previous month, by mid-August the price of a liter of Super was 2.53 GEL, while in the same period GEL exchange rate against USD was 2.60, that is the same exchange rate as today, however the fuel price remained the same. Then what factors have caused a growth in fuel prices?!

Mindful person would say that in that period one barrel was traded

for around 65 USD. In this case, why did the companies maintain expensive prices on domestic market before August?!

2) Assertions as if oil prices are growing on international markets does not reflect truth. Healthy trades are recoded on the market and the past week has recorded even price contraction tendency.

As to global tendencies and their effect on the Georgian market: In February the price of a barrel was 59-61 USD. In this period in Georgia the price of one liter of Premium was 2.29 GEL, that is higher price than in May, when the price of barrel was 70 USD. From May to June the price growth continued on oil and consequently, on the Platz and this factor became a ground for fuel price growth in Georgia several times. However, from the second half of May up to the second half of June, we had

extremely decreasing trend on oil prices and the barrel price fell to 64 USD, this change was not positively reflected on domestic prices. Moreover, along with downturn tendency on global market, fuel prices rose in Georgia by 3-5 Tetri.

It should be also noted that in this 3-month period the national currency exchange rate was stable and one dollar could be purchased at about 2.44-2.45.

3) Excise tax rate and its results: There are active assertions that fuel prices increased after excise tax growth, which came into force on January 1. Naturally, the higher excise tax has genuinely affected fuel prices, but this growth was not more than 15% per liter.

As to lowering the excise tax reduction for decreasing fuel price, this mechanism cannot bring long-term and everlasting effect because of the oligopolist and cartel market. Tax reduction in this or that form brings insignificant effect for population and products.

If the excise tax is reduced, we will have a single-time reduction in fuel prices and after this these funds will go back to the accounts of companies and this mechanism will not bring real effect in terms of fuel prices.

Paata Bairakhtari Vice President of Association of Young Financiers and Businessmen

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After Legalization Georgia Plans to Export Marijuana Following legalization of marijuana consumption, Government of Georgia has decided to legalize medical marijuana production and exports and reaping economic benefits.

Government of Georgia has already discussed the bill for cannabis cultivation and exports.

At the Government meeting Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze noted that government aims to neutralize marijuana-related risks. We may launch marijuana exports, but we should neutralize all risks and prevent illegal turnover, Mamuka Bakhtadze said.

“We have analyzed risks and this plant must not be cultivated illegally. Therefore, we have taken decision to strictly control the whole process”, the Prime Minister said.

A special agency will be established for regulation of marijuana production process. According to Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia, this agency will determine the licensing conditions, licensing tariffs and other procedures that are necessary for cannabis production.

“Various licenses will be issued for various activities – growing, production, processing and so on.

This should be a strictly regulated business under its own regulator, where strictest and efficient control mechanisms will be absolutely transparent”, Gakharia said.

Under the new bill, marijuana consumption will be subjected to strict legal frameworks, namely: • Marijuana consumption will be restricted in public places, public transport, on the territory of public schools and educational facilities; • To protect underage children from harmful drug influrence, marijuana consumption will be banned for bodies under 21 years old; • At the same time, involvement of bodies under 21 years old in drug consumption will be subjected to criminal responsibility; • Marijuana consumption will be restricted in the process of fulfillment of official duties, both for public figures and private sector bodies; • The bill also strips people of certain professions of their rights to execute professional duties if they consume marijuana.

• Sanctions will be tightened for

popularization and advertising of drugs, including marijuana consumption.

• Driving a vehicle under clinic influence of any narcotics, including marijuana, will be subjected to criminal responsibility.

Consequently, under the new bill, medical cannabis growingproduction for exports will be subjected to strict legal regulations and this will be a licensed business.

The independent agency will control the licensing and fulfillment process.

At the same time, severe financial sanctions and criminal responsibility will be applied against violation of license terms.

To ensure competition in the cultivation-production process, the bill establishes various forms of licensing and these norms rule out that any company monopolize the whole production chain. The potential licensee legal company must scrupulously protect safety and other conditions so as regulations for medical cannabis cultivation-production for exports not contradict the international regulations, namely, the UN convention.

The Caucasus Business Week (CBW) has inquired what economic effect the country will receive from production and sales of marijuana.

Economic expert Akaki Tsomaia says that the global market of marijuana is huge and actually, this segment on the global market is beyond competition. This sector may be genuinely developed in Georgia, if it is not be monopolized and not only several persons receive benefits from it.

If the Government enables any interested business body to engage in this business without artificial obstacles, this process will bring real benefits to our economy, Akaki Tsomaia said.

At this stage, Georgia is in legislative vacuum. A lot of things depend on the parliament what kind of laws and regulations it will introduce, he said.

Irakli Chikava, director of Agro Solutions company, explains that it is difficult to say in advance what economic effects this business may bring to the country, because we do not know what kind of licensing norms will be introduced or what quotas will be determined.

Anyway, the fact is that cannabis harvest from 1-hectare land plot is much more profitable thanks to its market value on the global market.

In response to the question whether the field specialist exist in the country, Chikava explained that marijuana, especially medical cannabis, needs agriculture specialist to precisely extract the planned CBD (substance that is applied for medical purposes) in the plant.

At this stage, it is difficult to find this type of knowledge in Georgia, however, the knowledge and experience may be imported from other countries. Our company has already sent request to partner countries and we have launched exploring the current situation of the labor market, he said.

‘Medical marijuana is becoming one of the in-demand products on the market, because its positive effect has been confirmed for healing various diseases.

Consequently, entrance onto this market signifies involvement in huge competition and this process requires experienced specialists”, Chikava said.

Businessman Temur Chkonia talks about marijuana production in Georgia and its perspectives. This is a profitable business, because the demand for marijuana grows worldwide, he said.

In response to the question whether Georgia may become one of the marijuana production countries, Chkonia explains that the Authorities should control this business and finances, because in this case the country will receive huge profits.

The Government should also control that filbert and vineyards not be replaced by cannabis in regions, he said. “If we apply civilized forms in this business, like civilized countries, Georgia will become of the production countries”, Chkonia noted.

If we apply civilized forms, Georgia will have the reputation of a successful country for tourists, Chkonia noted.

“The Government may allow everybody to grow cannabis, while its sales may be carried out by a special state-established exports company and this will be a correct strategy, because this issue requires regulation. We remember times

when everybody used to open supermarkets, then refueling stations and now hemp-growing will be popular. Everybody will care for a new source of revenues”, Chkonia noted.

The businessman explains that he has no interest in this field. “I has no desire to earn money from this field. I back the idea that our people find a new source of incomes, I do not approve this lifestyle”, Chkonia specified.

According to UN indicators, the USA is leader among the hempgrowing countries, as well as Morocco, Afghanistan, Mexico and others. The USA is leader in sales of marijuana: hemp-growing is legal for both medical and personal consumption in 9 states of the USA (Alaska, California, Colorado, Mein, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont and Washington).

One of the analysts of the Wall Street writes in his report that in the next 10 years the legal marijuana market in the USA will rise by 17% to 47 billion USD and come up with strong drinks (58 billion USD). The first position belongs to beer industry (117 billion USD), cigarettes ranks second (77 billion USD) and winemaking is third with 65 billion USD.

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Marta Karumidze: "The Attitude of People to Their Work Always Reflects on the Case and the Outcome" Interview with Public Relations Manager of Public Procurement Agency Marta Karumidze.

Why did you decide to enter this field, and what kind of opportunities does this profession give you?

I’ve always been interested in PR activities, I often watched PR models, I was interested in what they did in a different way, what we had in common ... I worked in journalism for years, and then I made a decision to enter this field. It is an interesting profession, consistent news and plan that should end with the result.

I like to communicate with people, love to hear their ideas and vision, this helps to work properly.

What is it necessary to hold successful communication with the public?

Relationship skill and communication, you should never be lazy about that. Everything can be achieved, the main thing is to have a desire.

What three tips would you offer someone just starting out in PR? It’s hard to give an advice, in general, everyone has an individual approach.

I think those who would like to start working as PR should consider following: 1. To have new ideas constantly, you should be able to deliver these ideas to the public. 2. Rapid response, as the delayed reaction can be misunderstood.

3. Do your job with whole heart, try your forces, but if you think there is no your place in certain area, you should continue searching.

What do you wish you knew before starting your career in PR? A person studies constantly, gets knowl-

edge hour by hour, sometimes even in minutes, while face to face communication, internet, books… So, I think, no matter what profession one has, everyone should be determined to develop herself, it naturally affects the quality of work done.

Describe your typical week.

I watch news TV, read news on information portals, talk to the public and media and answer questions interesting for them. I'm involved with other members of our team in organizing events, meetings, I write press releases, etc.

How do you go about finding relevant contacts and sources?

Again, the ability to communicate. However, given that everyone knows everyone in Georgia, tis case is simple. I have been working for more than 10 years in various fields of journalism. I think my profession helped me to get acquainted with the people. I have to communicate with many people every day, which I like.

How would you prioritize and start your work day?

My day starts with checking my phone and email, then I watch news. My phone is 24 hours on, so that anyone can reach me, write me an email or send me a message on social media if necessary.

What are the skills a Public Relations Specialist needs?

In my opinion, success has its stages, it depends for whom which stage feels

enough. In general, I think that any success is achieved by hard work. No matter the profession, you just do not have to give up or get lazy. It may take a while, but success will definitely come.

What trait do you value the most in your co-workers?

Desire to do work, if we add diligency to will, we reach the result. I also value quick response skill. It’s important to have your own ideas and different vision.

Last but not least- values, one should stay a good person in any given situation.

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

Natural, plain relationships, nothing can replace this.

What are some growing trends in the public relations industry?

As a matter of course, almost everything has changed since last years. Social Media supported this process a lot. It became simple to communicate, Social Network is one of the most important, flexible sources in 21st century, for sharing opinion to the whole world, as well as enhancement of the specific fact or product awareness. Today there are all possible ways to demonstrate the organization, brand, and the activity more efficiently, by using modern technologies.

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Business News UNWTO: Georgia Takes 4th Place among Fastest Growing Tourist Destinations

Contemporary Istanbul will take place between September 20 – 23, 2018 at Istanbul Congress Center (ICC) and Istanbul Convention and Exhibition Centre (ICEC).

World Tourism Organization UNWTO has published – Global Tourism Review of 2018. The report covers the dynamics of tourism in different countries of the world.

Publica-American Bar-Lounge Gathering Millenials “Publica” is the new American Bar-Lounge.

Unlike other spaces of Art House, it is designed for millennials and not only them.

Adjara Group to Open Rooms Hotel at Kokhta-Mitarbi

Georgia-Kazakhstan Business Forum to Take Place in Tbilisi

“Adjara Group” opens 100-room hotel ”Rooms” in Spring 2019. The hotel will offer its guests a pool, restaurant, conference hall and event space.

Los Angeles Times Covers Georgian Wine Culture

Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan Baurzhan Mukhamejanov announced the Georgia-Kazakhstan Business Forum in Tbilisi.

Los Angeles Times – a leading US newspaper – in a recent issue published an article focusing on Georgian wine, entitled “In Georgia, wine is a centuries-old tradition that has brought new appeal to the republic”.

Payment Machines Created by Zviad Tsikolia and AzRy Collaboration to Appear in Public Transports Soon, a joint product – upgraded payment machines of designer Zviad Tsikolia and AzRy will be installed in public transport.

Georgian Wines Win 14 Medals at MUNDUS VINI 2018 Summer Tasting 14 Georgian wines have won top awards at prestigious competition Mundus Vini 2018 Summer Tasting, organized by German wine magazine publisher “Meininger Verlag”. The competition is held twice a year: In summer and before the ProWein exhibition.

Project ArtBeat Presents Georgian Artists at Contemporary Istanbul in September

Success of Georgian Designers – Products of 22 000 EUR Sold out from Paris Showrooms Georgian brands successfully sell clothes on international markets.

Products of 7 Georgian designers were exhibited at More dash Showroom; Maison Pyramide, Paper Mache Tiger showrooms in Paris. Products of 22 000 EUR were sold from the mentioned showrooms.

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Web portals will support youth with information on local and international youth opportunities, formal and nonformal education possibilities, training, seminars, scholarships, exchanges, and organizations, working in youth field, resource centers and other youth programs.

What is the result you are working for?

Academy for Peace and Development-Equipping Youth with Employability Skills ”Employability skills for Young People in Telavi and Sheki Municipality” – This project is implementing by the German Federal Enterprise for International Cooperation (GIZ) in the frame of Eastern Partnership Territorial Cooperation Program and it is funded

by European Union. Project partners are Telavi Municipality Assembly, Academy for Peace and Development from Georgia and PUEE ”Balans” from Azerbaijan. CBW had an interview with Project Educational Coordinator Mikheil Rogava: Tell us a little bit about the Project, what’s the main goal of your activities?

The project will contribute to reducing youth unemployment in target regions through assisting young people in acquiring employability skills and strengthening the links between young job-seekers and potential employers.

The project envisages long and shortterm educational activities for a large number of beneficiaries as well as initiation of communication between potential employers and potential job seekers. Also, the project intends to organize training of trainers (ToT) in employability skills on both sides of the border and to publish a toolkit in employability skills. Educational activities will lead to significant

improvement of employability skills among young people in target regions, while the establishment of communication between potential employers and beneficiaries will create a space for discussions, selfpresentation, and job-matching.

What are the skills you would like to develop in young generation, do you think old generation are lacking of it?

12 months guided training course in employability skills with coaching elements with the group of selected young people will significantly improve the abilities of young people to get employed and succeed in their career regardless the sector they want to build their career in. Young people, will equip with employability skills, such as: Communication skills (including interpersonal relations, conflict management), Entrepreneurial, Presentation and effective communication skills, Leadership and Problem solving, Planning and management skills, , Teamwork, Project and Time management skills, Networking and many other as well as necessary attitudes and habits will make the target audience a strong group of people equipped with generic skills and strong employability portfolio.

During the project we will organize

different activities such as Meetings with successful people to share their success stories, Study visits in Sheki and Telavi municipality where participants will have opportunity to exchange experience, discuss obstacles, visit successful companies in neighboring region, get to know each other’s culture, customs and daily life; We provide workshops and presentations for young people in educational institutions, Youth Employment Forum, Study visits to local employers CSO, companies, public bodies.

Also we will provide Training of Trainers in employability skills in order to support sustainability of the initiative, thus creating opportunity for more young people to get empowered, action envisages training of 10 trainers in employability skills. During the project we will prepare and publish Tool Kit which will enable formal and non-formal educators to plan and develop quality educational projects in employability skills, thus contributing to development of soft skills and therefore employability of young people in target regions.

In order to provide youth with information on lifelong learning opportunities on local and international levels, there will be 2 web portals created in Georgian and Azerbaijani languages respectively.

There are several results for what we are working for: Equip more than 100 young people in Telavi and Sheki with different employability skills. This will increase the ability of economically active young people in target regions to correspond to demands of local labor market.

Strength links between employers and young jobseekers. It will open the space for discussions, exchange of opinions in healthy environment, consultancy and dialogue for better matching of demand and supply on the local labor market.

Train 5 people from each side equipped with skills of trainers in employability skills which will create a sustainable expertise in the field of employability in target regions in order to continue working in this direction.

Provide Toolkit on employability skills, designed considering the specifics of local reality of cross-border region which will be a good tool for future continuation of non-formal education in employability.

Based on what did you choose locations, do you plan on expanding the number of it?

The aim of the organization ”Academy for Peace and Development” is empowering of youth and civil society actors for living and building peace in Georgia, South Caucasus and Europe beyond through development of competences, advocating participatory policy development and promoting partnerships on cross-sectorial and intra-sectorial levels. According to these aims we designed the project with partnership of our neighbor country such as Azerbaijan. At this moment we are working in Telavi and Sheki municipalities, which are very close to each other and hope that our successful cooperation will be indicator to expand numbers of future projects.

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Georgian Based IT Company Apollo 11-Exported Intellectual Resource to Foreign Markets Apollo 11 is a Georgian based IT company exporting intellectual resources abroad.

Company’s teamholds expert knowledge and brings individualism in its relations with clients. CBW had an interview with its founder and director Zura Sekhniashvili to learn more about their methods and how they develop their business: Please tell us a little bit about your company – what is Apollo 11 all about?

Apollo 11 operates only on foreign markets and offers cloud-based system services. Despite being only 10 months old, “Apollo 11” is already known in six countries.Great Britain, Germany, France Estonia, Spain and America are already familiar with “Apollo 11” experienced and trusted team. The success of “Apollo 11” is a result of the team’s experience. In the beginning there were only four people who have already qualified, for this moment we have 20 professional and we are going to increase the number of them in the near future.

The most valuable capital of the company is the people who work here and create the most important product, thus contributing to the development of the company as well as the economy of the entire country.

The goal of the company

is to export the Georgian intellectual resource to the foreign market. “Apollo 11” is a place where the best programmers should work.

Who’s your team and what’s the work process like?

Employee search process is

complicated and prolonged.

We prefer the ones who have the logical thinking ability, has experience in the software Olympiads, and most importantly,to satisfy the high standards that the company requires.

Besides the staff, the Apollo 11’s shuttle door is always open for interns, obviously with great experience and prospect of employment.

It’s always one team actively involved in the project development, comprising 3 junior developers, headed by the main developer and project manager. In case of need, temporary involvement of other team developers is also possible.

In order to spend more efficiently in practice, we use different software tools.

For example, we use Slack messenger for internal communications, Basecamp and email-protected servers to communicate with clients.

Daily assignments are

provided through Trello by the Project Manager. In addition, we actively use our own platforms, for example we have a system which automatically calculates the time spent by the developer on each assignment and helps us make general analysis of the project timelines.

What methodologies and techniques do you implement in developing of your startup?

Let’s say, the methodology that we lead in the daily management of projects is an interpretation of Agile and Kanban. Nowadays, both of them are the most widely used methods in our field. In our interpretation, we mean the structure and management of our team, the specificity of the project.

All projects that we have worked with have specific requirements for which we could be flexible in terms of

time and resources.

Also, all the documents received from the client are confidential material, which is why we use protection system. All this is done to be in full compliance with EU Regulatory Protection Regulation (GDPR), which entered into force on 25 May of the same year.

How do you see yourself now as a startup?

The beginning was really hard. Access to the foreign market and gain confidence in large companies, where the quality and standards are high, but our hard work and commitment finally resulted. It is very pleasant to analyze that this steep initial stage has been successfully left behind and now we are moving forward for greater goals.

World News

13 September 17, 2018 #252

Apple’s Latest Iphones Are Packed with AI Smarts The three new iPhones unveiled next to Apple’s glassy circular headquarters Wednesday look much like last year’s iPhone X. Inside, the devices’ computational guts got an invisible but more significant upgrade.

Ukrainian, Soviet Refugee Runs Biggest Cannabis Delivery Service in California China’s Richest Man Jack Ma Resigns from Alibaba Alibaba’s co-founder and executive chairman, Jack Ma, said he planned to step down from the Chinese e-commerce giant on Monday to pursue philanthropy in education, a changing of the guard for the $420 billion internet company.

When he was 18, Ukrainian Aleksey Klempner arrived in the United States as a refugee.

His father, a Soviet nuclear physicist, fled Ukraine after the Soviet Union collapsed to distance his family from the dangers of the lawless, post-Soviet society.

Chanel Chooses London for Global Office The luxury goods maker Chanel has told the BBC it's elected to set up its global office in the UK. For the first time in its 110-year history, the brand is gathering the majority of its global business functions under one roof.

ADB ready to allocate over $800M to projects in Azerbaijan The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is ready to allocate $815 million to projects in Azerbaijan in 2019-2021, the bank's business plan reads.

The Lira is Going Wild after the Turkish Central Bank Defied Erdogan and Hiked Interest Rates The Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey raised its benchmark rate of interest to 24% from 17.75%. That beat the market consensus of a hike to 22% and calmed investor fears that the CBRT wouldn't raise rates at all.

Armenian shoe producers present at MosShoes 2018 With the support of Business Armenia, six Armenian footwear producer companies will participate in MosShoes 2018 international expo in Moscow on September 10-13.

Azerbaijan Announces Volume of E-commerce Goods Transit U.S. Warns Russia It May Sanction New Gas Pipeline to Germany The U.S. warned Russia that it may follow through on sanction threats over the construction of a major natural gas pipeline to Germany.

More than 3.3 million shipments weighing over 275,000 kilograms were processed in the transit center of Azerpost LLC and sent to 15 countries in the first seven months of 2018.

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15 September 10, 17, 2018 #251 #252 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

16 September 17, 2018 #252