Caucasus Business Week #281

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May 6, 2019 - www.cbw.ge

#281

WEEK

p.4 Economic Growth Pace rises in March: Georgia’s GDP Growth at 4.7% in 1Q19

p.6 Interviw with Ricardo Topham, Senior Market & Business Analyst at SES

p.5

Reasons behind the Slowdown in the Imports of Main Products

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Emirates Airlines considers launching Flights to Georgia

Georgia's Economy grew by 6% in March

Head of National Tourism Administration, Mariam Kvrivishvili met with president of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, CEO and chairman of the Emirates Group Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.

Preliminary data show that in March 2019 Georgia’s economy grew 6% to be a very good signal for investors, as well as the IMF mission’s visit scheduled for on May 1, Ekaterina Mikabadze, Georgia’s Deputy Economy Minister, says.

Restoration and Development of Krtzanisi Forest Park begins As Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze stated at today's presentation of the biodiversity restoration program, the restoration and development of the Krtzanisi Forest Park is starting.

GT Group to convey 220 New Buses to Tbilisi GT Group will convey 220 new buses to the capital city. This company has won the tender announced by Tbilisi Transport Company.

Inflow of Visitors to Ski Resorts in 2019 Rose by 15%

Georgia discusses Transit Project in Turkmenistan The Foreign Ministry of Turkmenistan held a meeting with Ambassador of Georgia Mamuka Murdzhikneli, Trend reports referring to the ministry.

David Morrison is Georgia's New Ombudsman of Environment Mamuka Bakhtadze, Prime Minister of Georgia nominated David Morrison to the position of an Environmental Ombudsman of Georgia today.

Ski Resorts Development Company of Ministry of Economy of Georgia has finished the 2018-2019 skiing season, which lasted 128 days.

Revenues from International Travelers amounted to 245 Million USD in March According to preliminary data, in March of 2019, revenues from international travel amounted to $ 245 million, which is 12 million US dollars more than in the same period last year, growth + 5.3%. This information is published by the National Tourism Administration.

Future Agro challenge to take Place in Georgia Future Agro Challenge is the largest global initiative that discovers fundable food, agtech, agrotourism and agriculture innovators and agripreneurs from around the world.

Georgia to launch New Flights from Saudi Arabia In summer period Damam-Tbilisi flights will be launched. The corresponding negotiations were held between Mariam Kvrivishvili, head of the National Tourism Administration of Ministry of Economy of Georgia and Flynas airline’s executive director Bander Almohana.

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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Economic Growth Pace rises in March: Georgia’s GDP Growth at 4.7% in 1Q19 According to a preliminary report

by Geostat, the national statistics service of Georgia, in March 2019, as compared to the same period of 2018, Georgia’s economic growth pace made up 6%. At the same time, the averaged growth indicator in 1Q19 constituted 4.7%.

According to Geostat, in March 2019, growth tendencies emerged in the fields of trading, transport, real estate operations and other consumer services, public utilities, social and personal services. A slowdown was recorded only in the developmental sector.

Geostat executive director Gogita Todradze noted that the exports of goods in the first quarter of 2019 rose by 12.8% to 826 million USD. Imports indicators declined by 4.7% to about 2 billion USD. “March recorded 4,260 new enterprises, but this indicator declined by 3.5% year on year,” Gogita Todradze said.

6% economic growth is a good message for investors, and it is a good start for the IMF Mission’s visit to Georgia, which started on May 1, as noted by Ekaterine Mikabadze, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia , when appraising the preliminary report on the pace of economic growth.

Ekaterine Mikabadze placed emphasis on positive factors.

Incomes from international tourism in March increased by 5.3% (by 12.4 million USD), and totaled 244.7 million USD. As for other factors, according to Mikabadze, net money transfers increased by 7.5% in March, and the figure amounted to 119.8 million USD. At the same time, along with improving economic growth indicators and the competitive capacity of the private sector, external vulnerability factors shrank and the steadiness of external economic shocks increased. In 2018, the current account deficit grew by 1.1%, and constituted 7.7% of GDP. The Government of Georgia plans to implement significant economic reforms and initiatives for the private sector. including the promotion and strengthening of the competitive capacity of the private sector, she said.

Economic expert Ioseb Archvadze says that, in March 2019, Georgia’s economic growth exceeded the January-February economic growth indicator by a factor of 1.5 (4.1%). This growth, in an annual context, means that approximately 45 million in GDP a month, as compared to estimates. As a result, the state budget will also mobilize 10-11 million GEL. Economic growth has essentially influenced export growth, which recorded positive trends, and the figure reached 43.4%, up by around 10% as compared to March 2018 (33.8% in March 2018), he said.

The IMF report, dated April 29 ,is also very interesting. It covers the economic forecasts of Caucasus and Central Asia countries.

According to the report, economic growth was stabilized in the Caucasus and Central Asia, and countries have overcome 2014-2016 external shocks. At the same time, economic growth for oil and gas importer countries will decline to 4.5%, while this indicator stood at 5.1% in 2018.

According to the IMF, they revised this indicator, and unlike the 2018 October review, the forecast declined by 0.3% as a result of reduced internal demand, and a declining indicator in regards to money transfers.

According to the report, economic growth will accelerate thanks to major infrastructural investments, which were postponed in 2018.

This factor will balance declining internal demand, the IMF representatives noted.

According to IMF forecasts, in 2019, economic growth will be 4.6%. It is worth noting that, under the 2019 state budget, economic growth indicators in Georgia will be 4.5%.

By Merab Janiashvili

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In the first quarter of 2019, the period from January to March, Georgia’s imports made up 2 billion USD, down 4.7% year on year (-100 million USD). The slowdown was recorded in March – 105 million USD. Imports declined as a result of a contraction in main products: oil products (mainly, vehicle fuel) declined by 37 million USD, imports of computers and computer parts decreased by 26 million USD, imports of manganese ores and concentrates shrank by 13 million USD, sugar imports declined by 8 million USD, cigarette imports decreased by 7 million USD, phone imports plunged by 6 million USD, and grain imports decreased by 5 million USD. The Caucasus Business Week (CBW) has inquired as to why imports of main products have declined.

Vano Mtvralashvili, head of Union of Oil Products Importers, explains that the first quarter of 2019 recorded a year on year contraction in diesel imports, after the supply of diesel from Georgia to Turkey shrank.

“At the same time, we should also note that fuel consumption in 2019 will be affected by such factors as the growth in hybrid vehicles to Georgia”, Mtvralashvili said.

According to him, in 2017, the country imported 16,471 hybrid vehicles, in and 2018, 25,554 hybrid vehicles. We expect this figure to increase in 2019.

Mtvralashvili explained that a growth in the import of hybrid vehicles has essentially reduced the consumption of natural gas.

Periodic technical inspections also affect fuel imports and consumption. As a result, he added, a lot of vehicles were halted.

In January-March 2019, a total of 249,019 vehicles were inspected. A total of 136,277 vehicles turned out in order, 112 068 vehicles did not report to the inspection, and 4,955 vehicles failed a repeat inspection.

In March, imports of oil products (petrol and diesel) made up 69.6 thousand tons, down 14.9 thousand

tons month on month (84.5 thousand tons), including petrol imports, which amounted to 37.4 thousand tons, and diesel imports constituted 32.2 thousand tons, Mtvralashvili said.

“In January-March 2019, imports of oil products to Georgia (petrol and diesel) made up 232.6 thousand tons, down 9.9 thousand tons year on year (-4.3%). In January-March 2019, petrol imports constituted 134.9 thousand tons, and diesel imports made up 97.6 thousand tons.

According to fuel categories, in the first quarter of 2019, Georgia’s

petrol imports made up: A-91 regular - 90.3 thousand tons (66.9%); A-95 – 42.9 thousand tons (31.7%); A-98 – 1.8 thousand tons (1.3%); Ranked by countries, in MarchJanuary, the major volume of petrol and diesel was imported from Russia (69.9 thousand tons), which is 30% in total imports.

Romania is second – 68.8 thousand tons (29.6%), Azerbaijan – 39.2 thousand tons (16.8%), Bulgaria – 27.9 thousand tons (11.9%); Turkmenistan – 16.4 thousand tons (7%); Greece – 10.3 thousand tons (4.4%); Switzerland – 0.09 thousand tons (0.03%).

Levan Silagava, executive director of the Association of Grain and Flour Producers, says that grain imports declined after the product

transportation scheme changed: “In December 2018, grain prices hiked after grain reserves in the country fell to a critical level. The majority of imports comes from Russia. The Larsi customs checkpoint does not have a high working capacity.

Therefore, import volumes declined. The product was not transported by either ships or trains. Starting in January 2019, we took efforts to replenish our grain reserves by ships and railway. It is worth noting that this mechanism requires time. In the case of railage, it is necessary to order trains in advance. This process has not been finished yet, and that’s why imports have declined”, Silagava said.

Anzor Kokoladze, founder of the TechnoBoom network of home appliance stores, says that imports declined because of banking regulations. The sales fell by about 40%, he noted.

“The slowdown is reported in all directions, but in the case of computers, consumers also showed a change in behavior, that is, computers were replaced by smartphones”, Kokoladze said.

Guram Brodzeli, director of the Alpha sugar imports company noted that sugar imports declined because of seasonal factors.

Namely, in January-March, the demand for sugar declined, and there were huge reserves of sugar from the previous quarter, Brodzeli said.

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"We are Constantly exploring New Ways to create Value for our Customers so they can look into further monetising their Content" Interview with Ricardo Topham, Senior Market & Business Analyst at SES As it is knows, in 2015 Georgia joined the list of the countries participating in SES Satellite studies. What was the reason Georgia’s participation in it?

SES added Georgia to its Satellite Monitor study in 2015 to deliver vital data about the market to our customers. Many broadcasters and companies operating TV platforms rely on our study to inform their decision making as we provide a trusted source of data about viewing habits. The data is also important for SES teams who need to keep on top of the new trends in viewing behavior, as this will enable us to better anticipate our customers’ needs and serve them better.

Tell us about market research that you have done recently, what changes did you notice and what are the main trends on Georgian TV market?

The Georgian market is really exciting to look at because of the rise in HD and even UHD screens we are seeing. Our results from 2018 show that 44% of Georgian homes now have HD TV’s, and 15% UHD, which is almost a 4% and 5% increase respectively since 2017.

Satellite is the ideal medium for HD and UHD TV as it can distribute the high quality content to as many people as possible in an efficient manner. Our Survey also showed us that with both direct and indirect services SES satellites are serving over 60% of the TV homes in Georgia.

Please comment on the trends of different TV reception modes (IPTV, terrestrial, satellite and cable) in Georgia based on research and what will be forecast for the upcoming years in this direction?

Satellite is maintaining its lead, with 38% of households relying on it to receive their TV, with IPTV coming in second. We are seeing more diversity in the market, with terrestrial, cable and IPTV reception modes all serving a section of the population.

SES satellite reach is experiencing solid growth worldwide and Georgia is not an exception too, reaching 38% of TV homes currently. How do you think, what are the main drivers for this growth and what has contributed to it?

The main advantage of satellite-TV broadcasting is the enormous reach satellites provide, enabling them to cover even the most remote areas. For example, the ASTRA5B satellite serving the Georgian market is covering the whole Caucasus region with a single beam. This is something that cableTV, IPTV, and IPTV, are unable to do. From a cost-efficiency or business perspective, satellite is the optimal infrastructure to broadcast TV channels: it covers huge amounts of land and it provides you access to millions of homes in the process.

Data from Satellite Monitor YE2018 shows growing uptake of HD and UHD in Georgia? How can you explain this trend and behavior of Georgian viewers?

This is very simple - viewers want content in the highest possible quality at home. HD TV screens and UHD TV screens can provide

more detailed and crisper images. Owning one of these screens is just the first step though; without a HD or UHD TV broadcast you won’t be able to enjoy content in HD or UHD. That is why we support our customers all over the world by having satellites and platforms that can broadcast of HD and UHD channels.

What are SES’s plans for the coming years in Georgia and if there is specific niche the company wants to stress to increase its reach even more?

We are honored to be partnering with companies such as MagtiCom. When they wanted to launch a DTH platform SES was their choice, and the partnership has been strong ever since. Since then we have managed to assemble all Georgian channels into one satellite position, making it easy for Georgian viewers to access quality local programming.

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Presentation of Rebranded Natakhtari Beer held at Publica Art House The company Natakhtari has presented the renewed Natakhtari Beer. Natakhtari General Director Cuneyt Arat and the Director of the company’s Corporate Affairs, Nikoloz Khundzakishvili, introduced the news and other implemented projects to invited guests in an informal and pleasant environment at Publica Art House.

The Natakhtari beer was renewed for the fourth time in existence this year.

This time, special attention was paid to the improvement of the brand symbols, with the topography of the word Natakhtari and its main symbol, the crown - which united the original name and the concept of the beer, both altered.

Because the brand concept is 100% beer, the description of beer production process now has a special place on the packaging. The premiere of a new promo video was also held at the event.

“At Natakhtari, we believe that beer is not just a “drink” and we are not just brewing a product to consume, we believe that part of our job is to create ‘pleasure moments in life,” Cuneyt Arat told the guests. “Natakhtari is one of the oldest beers in Georgian market that has been consumed with that pleasure by most of the Georgian consumers and

honored as the leader of the beer market for so many years.”

“Natakhtari beer was first made 14 years ago, and we have been the market leader since,” Nikoloz Khundzakishvili noted. “To match that important status, we feel we have greater responsibility towards consumers and the Georgian beer industry in general. Based on the trends in the modern market, we decided to create a new design for the whole line, label and logo of Natakhtari. Important factors are that Natakhtari as a leading brand also responsible for developing the beer industry. On the reverse of the new label the whole process of beer production is written so as to increase awareness of beer. We are really proud to produce a high quality Georgian product, using natural ingredients and natural Natakhtari water.”

"We tasted the renewed beer Natakhtari presented and I can say with pride that the quality is no less than that of German or Czech production. I think it is an interesting and attractive product on the Georgian market. Today is confirmation that Natakhtari develops at a very fast pace and increases the quantity and volume of concrete products on the market,” said Giorgi Katcharava,

Executive Director of Georgia-EU Business Council.

“Natakhtari has good communication with customers; has done for years.

Such an approach determines that Natakhtari, as a Georgian brand, holds an important place on the country's market. It also has loyal customers as it possesses a very high level of trust,” says Deputy Business Ombudsman Levan Kalandadze.

The brand’s history and an installation of beer brewing simulation were also presented at the event. The audience had an opportunity to get full information about the professional tasting and assessment of beer.

Nodariko Khutsishvili with a band provided music at the event.

The first Natakhtari beer was fabricated in 2005. In 2009, the company became the leader of the Georgian beer market and for ten years has maintained its stable leadership position.

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Noka Baindurashvili: "Nowadays, a Small Budget is Enough to implement an Interesting and Effective Marketing Campaigns Interview with Head of Marketing and Public Relations Department for "Georgian Post", Noka Baindurashvili.

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

For many years, I worked as a public relations manager, working closely with marketing specialists at each working place, which led me to learn more about this field. That's why I've applied to ESM in marketing, but still kept working as a PR specialist. For the first time, in 2015, I was offered a marketing position that posed a very interesting challenge, so I agreed to it, and worked for two years as the head of marketing and the sales branch of the construction company. Then, I joined the Georgian Post team, and I work as the Head of Marketing and Public Relations.

In regards to technological changes, what challenges do you face as the head of a marketing service?

In our era, everything related to technology develops at lightning speed, which by itself affects the company and customer relationships, their behaviors and expectations. Social networks give us an opportunity to constantly listen to and monitor public opinion and their interests.

For this purpose, the monitoring of social networks, blogs, web pages, analyzing the comments, feedback and trends is important, in that they adjust the company's interests. In today's digital media, it is easily possible to talk directly and freely with consumers, to manage and plan marketing campaigns. Today, a small budget is also enough to implement interesting and effective marketing campaigns. The financial side is no longer crucial, but an interesting and topical idea that the user will share. The distribution of information and delivery to a large audience has become simpler, if the information is presented in an interesting and original form. However, you need to be very cautious, since one mistake can cause great damage to the company's reputation.

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

In recent years, there have been big changes in the realms of marketing, advertising and PR. Digitalization has completely changed the processes, communication standards and customer requirements.

Today, the number of customers has drastically increased, and therefore their requirements are much higher. Almost every day, standards change, and there are more challenges to come in the future.

What important features should a marketing manager focus on, and what are their roles in an organization?

Marketing is the process of management, and as such its main function is to satisfy the user. Significant aspects of this include the ability to make the correct forecast, and determine the profitability of certain activities, what is certain to be useful for the organization. Consequently, marketing has a vital role in any type of organization.

How do you help organizations catch up with new trends and innovations in the field of marketing?

We constantly keep track of the news, learn and analyze from it.

What’s your organisation’s business model, in terms of marketing?

The business model of our organization is based on a bilateral marketing format, which is interactive and demands the active involvement of both parties, and in which social media channels help. Advertising is still important, but the decisive area of contact with the customer, listening to their opinions, and most importantly, the ability to take into account the compa-

ny's activities, branding, and advertising.

So, we have to continually control the processes, and do not fall behind on the trends, catch up with news, and try to always understand what our customers want, and communicate with them.

One word that describes your job.

Resposibility.

The most useful advice you’ve ever received in life?

Never stop learning.

Think of a person who inspires you professionally.

I can’t think of one person in particular, since our field has become very diverse in recent years, and has pushed towards an increasing rate of transformation, which in itself is a merit for many people. As for inspiration, campaigns and brands had a greater impact than the specific person. I always wondered how a brand was created, how campaigns were planned, how advertisements were filmed, how to choose messages, and how they guessed what a customer needs.

9 May 6, 2019 #281

Business News

Wyndham Grand Tbilisi World-class hotel opened

The event was held within the framework of the exhibition “Area Expo”. From 13:00, specially invited speakers talked about interesting and important issues for real estate and flat owners.

"The hotel perfectly harmonizes with the museum neighborhood. Importantly, a space under the project has been handed to the National Museum, and that is a clear example how socially responsible business and culture should cooperate.

ed places among Georgian and foreign tourists.

Itsik Moshe: Georgia should determine Sectors for attracting Investors from Israel "Georgia should determine the sectors, where it wants to attract investors from Israel", Itsik Moshe, president of Israel-Georgia Chamber of Business noted at Georgia-Israel Business Forum on April 30.

Adjara Group and New Mitarbi to launch Rooms Kokhta Hotel in Late August

Airbnb accounts for 11% of Accommodation Market in Tbilisi Airbnb supply increased 2.5x in Tbilisi over 2016-2018. Market is already oversupplied, but still continues growing – a classic case of market overreaction.

Black Sea Arena to host Black Eyed Peas on June 16

Rooms Kokhta hotel, which is located at Kokhta Mitarbi hotel will receive first visitors at the end of 2019 summer. This project is apart of Rooms Hotel Georgian brand created by Adjara Group.

Black Sea Arena, located in Shekvetili will open this year's season with Black Eyed Peas concert.

Live will be held within Check in Georgia.

First ever Georgian Qveveri Museum and Marani opened in the UK After more than a year of active preparations, the first ever Georgian Qveveri Museum and Marani was open on the territory of the Plumpton Agricultural College.

Area Talks on Real Estate

Marriott International Officially enters Home Rental Market Marriott International announced Homes & Villas by Marriott International, a home rental initiative offering 2,000 premium and luxury homes located in over 100 destinations throughout the United States, Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America.

Lopota Spa Resort presented its Own Wine Brand Buera Located within a 2-hour drive from Tbilisi, in the historical area of the region of Kakheti, hotel complex Lopota Spa Resort is one of the most demand-

Kempinski Hotels opens at Mtatsminda Park Kempinski hotels will be opened on Mtatsminda. The hotel will include 95 rooms and it will be opened in the third quarter of 2020.

10 May 6, 2019 #281

Country of dying Village Easter in Georgia is not only a religious holiday, but a day when the country confronts one of its sharpest problems, which it does not in other periods, even during the New Year.

The capital is empty on Easter.

Internal migrants from the regions and villages leave the capital city for 2-3 days. At this time, Tbilisi becomes unusually empty, and traffic jams move from Tbilisi’s streets to the EastWest highway.

At this time, it becomes apparent that Georgia has become a country with one big city, where all the citizens flee to, and the regions and villages are doomed to gradual depopulation.

Today, there are three categories of internal migrants: 1. Those with the required knowledge and skills.

They have managed to become fullyintegrated in the society. They live an urban life, work in private business and government structures, and many of them achieve success, sometimes, more success than most city residents.

However, there is a second category, which performs the same function in Georgia as foreign migrants do in developed countries. They work at construction sites, enterprises, mainly as artisans, and they work for automobile services and other places, where urban residents are less likely to be employed.

There is also a third category, the most vulnerable segment – market and street sellers, who work for decades without progress or changes in their knowledge and skills.

All these developments take place in the regions amid a growing demographic catastrophe –everybody flees the small towns and villages in an endless process.

However, we can highlight this issue from another angle, too. Today’s world is a world of big cities. The majority population lives in cities in all developed countries and the more developed the country, the less population is found in villages.

In Georgia, 42% of the population resides in villages, but, only according to official statistics. In reality, the

majority of those registered in villages have long moved to cities without any formal procedures.

These statistical indicators seem less trustworthy, and this consideration is proved by reports from 1989, according to which 48% of the population lived in villages.

Therefore, it is unlikely that, after 30 years of cataclysms and large-scale internal and foreign migrations, this indicator narrowed by only 6%. This is an absurdity.

In reality, no more than 30% of the population live in villages. However, even this figure is not a minor indicator of the present situation. On the contrary.

For example, in countries like Belgium, Israel, Japan, Netherlands, Sweden, the USA and Finland, the ratio of village residents in the total population makes up 10%-15%.

Higher indicators are reported in Greece, Germany, Spain, France – 20%-25%.

Indicators similar to Georgia are recorded in countries such as Ireland, Poland, Portugal and Croatia (5760%). For example, in Poland, the majority of village residents are employed in the agrarian sector, and the remainder works in small and medium industries.

The number of village residents narrows dramatically in developing economies, too; for instance, Argentina (19%), Uruguay (5%), Brazil (14%), Iran (25%), Russia (27%) and so on.

At the same time, in developed countries, the ratio of people employed in the rural sector is declining, and this indicator is at 1% in the USA, 1.6% in Germany, 2% in Great Britain, 3% in Denmark, 4% in Norway, 5% in Netherlands, 5.6% in Italy, 10% in Argentina, 15% in Poland and 20% in Serbia,.

In this respect, Georgia has a very bad ratio – 50%, as this figure is equal to the indicators of the poorest countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America.

The Inefficiency of the agricultural sector is another challenge, as in his

respect Georgia comes behind of undeveloped countries of Africa.

In developed and developing economies, only a small fraction of citizens are employed in the agrarian sector, and this category mostly composed of a privileged strata of farmers - they own huge areas of land, apply cutting-edge technologies, and have much larger incomes compared to city residents.

We have a different reality in Georgia, where the Georgian villages remains in the 19th century with a natural economy, small plots and low efficiency. As a result, the country imports 70% of its agricultural products.

This happens when, in developed countries, the social category of the peasant disappeared many decades ago, and the peasant remains only in extremely weak countries.

In this situation, there is nothing special and threatening about the depopulation of Georgian villages – all developed countries have gone through this.

In the end, Georgian village will be reduced to a certain level, to an optimal point.

The problem consists in another other aspect entirely, as all internal migrants head for only one city – Tbilisi. Newcomers from villages and regions cannot find new jobs.

Rapid economic growth has always inspired internal migration in industrial countries. But in Georgia, there is no developed industry in practice. Moreover, the majority of newcomers from villages and regions have no profession, no required skills.

The country is in a certain blind alley – villages are emptied, because it is impossible to live there, while internal migrants do not have chances to find jobs in Tbilisi, and they do not possess the required knowledge.

By Tengiz Ablotia

11 May 6, 2019 #281 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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