On February 3, 2011, Levan Varshalomidze, Chairman of Government of Adjara AR and Mr. Vazha Bolkvadze, Minister of Finance and Economy of Adjara AR met with investors in the International Investors Association of Georgia.The meeting addressed the problematic issues of the member companies of the association and other local companies and organizations. At the end of the meeting the chairman of the government expressed a desire to hold similar meetings every month to study and resolve above mentioned issues timely.

List of problematic issues discussed at the meeting:

Giorgi Pertaia became tax ombudsman. Giorgi Pertaia was appointed on the position of PM's advisor in charge of business liaison in May 2010. Pertaia, a MBA graduate of Western Illinois University, was customs expert at American Chamber of Commerce in Georgia. Creation of a tax ombudsman’s position is envisaged by the new tax code, which went into force from January. According to the tax code, PM will appoint ombudsman through the agreement with Chairperson of the Parliament. Ombudsman will have to present an annual report on taxpayers’ rights to the parliamentary committee for finances and budget.

Please check digest No 53

On January, 27, 2011, Mr.Zviad Kvlividze, the representative of USAID Economic Property Initiative Project (EPI) and Mr.Carlton Jones, Private Sector Development Expert visited the International Investors Association of Georgia. Purpose of their visit was to get acquainted with association member companies and their development potential. Main goal of the USAID project is to promote business competitiveness in Georgia, to create new jobs and to attract foreign and local investments. Accompanied by Mr. Iason Tsertsvadze, Secretary General of IIA, the guests visited several companies, members of the International Investors Association („Ajara Textile”,”BTM Textile”,”Batumi Tex”, “Georgian Kar-sa”).Meetings addressed problematic issues of the above mentioned companies. At the end of the visit, the guests expressed their willingness to broaden cooperation with the Association for further development of its member companies.

Regional development strategy of Autonomous Republic of Ajara was approved on the government meeting on January 18, 2011.This document is prepared by the department of Economy policy of the Ministry of Finance and Economy on the base of resolution # 107 of December 25, 2010 of the government of Ajara Autonomous Republic .All Ministries, local self-government units and government institutions were taking participation into the strategy working out process.
Document of strategy includes the information about all fields of Ajara A.R. economy. 
Each chapter contains three parts:1) Description of existed situation; 2) SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Treats )  and 3) Strategic directions.

Following main goals were taken into consideration during the strategy working out process:
1)      Overcoming poverty and provide population with necessary conditions for welfare.
2)       Increasing  human resource competitiveness  in Ajara
3)       Increasing  economic and innovative activities in Ajara
4)       Reaching maximum competitiveness and stability of Ajara economy
5)      Improving and saving cultural and ecological environment for the next generation.
6)      Effective management of natural resources of Ajara
7)      Creation and saving of  spatial order in Ajara
8)      Effective integration of Ajara economy into national economy and generally in the world economic space.

Regional development priorities of Ajara Autonomous Republic for the next five years were determined by the document of strategy:
1)      Strengthening economic security of Ajara.
2)      Development of Ajara as a high-class tourist destination place.
3)      Development of metropolitan zones (Batumi and Kobuleti) of Ajara.

Georgian Prime Minister will appoint a tax ombudsman apparently by the end of this week, Prime Minister’s spokesman, Nikoloz Mchedlishvili, said on January 26. He said that the Prime Minister would discuss the apparent candidates with the representatives of four business associations at a meeting planned on January 26. Among possible candidates there are Prime Minister’s business liaison adviser, Giorgi Pertaia; President of the Georgian Chamber of Trade and Commerce, Jemal Inaishvili and Head of the Railway Department, Irakli Ezugbaia. Creation of a tax ombudsman’s position is envisaged by the new tax code, which went into force from January. According to the tax code, PM will appoint ombudsman through the agreement with Chairperson of the Parliament. Ombudsman will have to present an annual report on taxpayers’ rights to the parliamentary committee for finances and budget.

Please check digest No 52

Please check digest No 51

In the conference hall of International Investors Association of Georgia, at 2 p.m. on January 14 of a year 2011, International Arbitration of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Adjara AR arranged a presentation concerning its activities. The representatives of Association member companies and local organizations attended the mentioned presentation.

In the conference hall of International Investors Association of Georgia, at 2 p.m. on January 14 of a current year, International Arbitration of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Adjara AR will arrange a presentation concerning its activities.

International Investors Association of Georgia