We fi nd out how Gulf is much more than just a big business

Gulf VP: 10 Years of Corporate Social Responsibility

TRANSLATED BY KETEVAN SKHIRTLADZE

Business has a special role to play in the development of society, especially in today’s global turmoil. Often, the image of companies is measured by the activities carried out in the fi eld of corporate social responsibility (CSR). The projects that a business organizes for a community can often even lead to bigger initiatives within the country.

“At fi rst glance, it might seem that big business is just about sales, business deals, or taking care of employees. But trust me, it was never enough for the Gulf,” says Nino Jibladze, Gulf Marketing Director, Vice President. “Today, Georgia faces a number of challenges, diffi culties that are less likely to occur in other developed countries. That is why from the very fi rst day, Gulf decided to adjust as much as possible to the environment around us; to do things the way our country needs, to help the weaker side solve painful issues. Gulf started with such an approach in 2011 and has been able to implement a number of large and small projects to date. Today, we are summarizing Gulf’s ten years of corporate responsibility.”

Since 2011, Gulf has spent up to 4 million GEL in the CSR direction in Georgia. Here is a look at the details of what Gulf managed to accomplish:

Gulf for Education – Within the framework of the project, Gulf gifted computers and books were to 50 young people across Georgia.

Gulf and Basketball – In order to promote a healthy lifestyle in young people, since 2018, Gulf has been building modern basketball courts throughout Georgia. At present, 3 courts operate in Tbilisi, Gori, and Senaki. A fourth court will be opened in Ozurgeti in the near future. Gulf plans to build a total of 20 basketball courts throughout Georgia. The championship in 3×3 basketball – Gulf Cup – will be held on the mentioned basketball courts.

Gulf for Stray Dogs – Gulf launched the campaign “Shelter and Take Care” in 2019, and in the fi rst phase dog houses were set up to shelter 25 dogs at gas stations, with the company staff taking care of them. As of today, more than 100 dogs live at Gulf gas stations throughout Georgia, the infrastructure has been arranged at the stations, andthe company provides them with food and veterinary services. "At fi rst glance, it might seem that big business is just about sales, business deals, or taking care of employees. But trust me, it was never enough for the Gulf."

“At fi rst glance, it might seem that big business is just about sales, business deals, or taking care of employees. But trust me, it was never enough for the Gulf.”

Gulf for Doctors – In 2020, Gulf was actively involved in the fi ght against COVID-19, helping Georgian doctors. 5 tetri from fuel purchased in Gulf was transferred to a special account within which a total of 240,000 GEL was collected and transferred to doctors as a token of gratitude for their service.

Gulf for Kids – The campaign is traditionally planned for Christmas and Easter, as part of which the company helps vulnerable and large families. As part of the campaign, during a specifi c period of time, 5 tetri of each fuel sold is collected in a special account, after which the amount collected is distributed equally to each family. As part of the project, in addition to cash assistance, the company also often buys household equipment as well as food products for families, as needed.

Travel around Georgia with Gulf – In 2017, Gulf launched the “Travel around Georgia” campaign every summer to promote tourism. As part of the campaign, Gulf is trying to encourage consumers with various activities, promotions, or discounts – encouraging them to travel around Georgia and discover new places.

Take Care of Georgia – Traditionally, at the end of each summer season, Gulf cleans up active tourist areas throughout Georgia.

Gulf for Students – Gulf annually funds tuition for IDP students from the Occupied Territories.

Gulf for Georgian Culture – The company has been a major contributor since 2011 and is actively involved in supporting culture.

Gulf and Autosport – From the day of its entry into Georgia, Gulf has been taking care of the development of motorsport, with the support of various automobile events and sponsorship of auto racers. – Catharsis Assistance – The company helps socially vulnerable families. In addition, the Gulf helps cultural fi gures, veteran athletes, and public fi gures.

“And fi nally, Gulf Pension, a pension program for those who bring special benefi ts to the community,” Jibladze notes. “In 2019, Gulf launched a new campaign, under which a special pension program was created for people who bring benefi ts to the community. These are people who, through their hard work, make the lives of others special.”

Hualing FIZ Partners with BB Leasing to Finance Equipment Leasing with Special Conditions for Industrial Projects

BY TEAM GT

An important partnership has been established between Hualing Free Industrial Zone and BB Leasing, enabling interested entrepreneurs to take advantage of a unique joint offer created by these two daughter companies of the Hualing Group.

The offer envisages fi nancing the leasing of machinery required for production projects under special conditions in Hualing FIZ and providing infrastructure facilities for businesses.

“The foundation of a new partnership model has been laid between Hualing Free Industrial Zone and BB Leasing, that enables FIZ-interested entrepreneurs to take advantage of unique joint offers that include fi nancing of leasing equipment under special conditions that are necessary for manufacturing projects, as well as infrastructure spaces for businesses within the framework of this offer,” Soso Nibladze, CEO of Hualing Free Industrial Zone told Entrepreneur. “This partnership is of great value because it is very important in the industrial sector, in general in the structure of initial capital investment, building costs in buildings as well as machinery. Compositionally, most of the expenses go to these two directions. We offer ready-built buildings with post-pandemic special benefi ts, lease terms and moratoriums for a period of time, and now we offer leasing on special terms. In other words, companies will not need to apply for expenses in these two areas, and these funds will be used directly to purchase working capital or other operating expenses.”

The offer gives a unique opportunity to both export-oriented Georgian entrepreneurs and foreign investors to start the production process with minimal initial costs, and to mobilize fi nancial resources only to purchase working capital.

“This cooperation allows us to give potential customers the opportunity to take advantage of our joint unique offer,” notes Kote Sulamanidze, CEO of BB Leasing. “An entrepreneur receives not only an infrastructurally arranged production area (in the industrial zone), but also the fi nancing of the necessary factors needed for the production - for example, fi xed assets, which require quite a large amount of capital. They can also use auto leasing or other vehicle fi nancing from BB Leasing if needed. We understand the benefi ts of such collaborations especially well in BB Leasing. Our main advantages, as members of BB Holding is that the customer who comes to us, turns up in a kind of fi nancial supermarket, where with one visit, they can easily and quickly buy quality banking, leasing or insurance products, thus saving time, money, and getting the most comfortable service.”

Hualing FIZ, in addition to offering a taxfree environment to interested investors, also provides companies with ready-built infrastructure (including various types of buildings from 100 sq.m. to 15,000 sq.m., ideal for both traditional, labor-intensive industrial areas as well as for the modern high-tech manufacturing sector.

As a result of all the above, an investor who comes to Hualing FIZ will enjoy the following privileges: 1. Tax-free environment. 2.Various choices of ready-built industrial and warehousing buildings with utility connections. 3. Moratoriums - exemption of companies from building lease for a certain period. 4. Post-Pandemic Offer - Reduced Rental Rates 5. Possibility of fi nancing fi xed assets by BB Leasing. 6. Special offers on banking products and services from the Basis bank. 7.Local services - including assistance in manpower selection, obtaining a Georgian certifi cate of origin, environmental procedures, local logistics and cargo handling.

The submitted proposals create signifi cant tangible conditions for the successful startup and development of various manufacturing projects by considering the listed components.