The member of World Bank group International Finance Corporation (IFC) is going to hold 2 days seminar on the following topics:

Food Safety issues, the advantages of HACCP system – on Thursday, September 30 (At 10:00 am – duration 3 hours). The ministry of Agriculture and Food Safety Department of Autonomous Republic of Adjara will take part in this seminar;

Corporate Governance for Georgian Entities – On Friday, October 1^st (At 10:00 am – duration 3 hours).

The participation in both seminars is free of charge and will be held in Batumi Sheraton hotel (second floor).

On September 22 of current year International Investors Association was visited by Ukrainian businessmen from Kherson Region. Ukrainian delegation, consisting of 7 members, visited Batumi and in bounds of their program held meetings with authoritative persons. At the meeting got acquainted with Association’s activity, spoke with Association members and presented their business proposals, which they are going to implement in Batumi in future. Businessmen also declared, that on October 5, 2010 will be held business forum in Kherson region, where will be invited government and City hall representatives of Adjara, the Association stuff and its members.

On September 14-25 of current year German Delegation will have been in Georgia. Delegation is consisting of 25 members from which 17 are journalists of central and regional television, radio and press, 4 – representatives of different funds and the rest – representatives of German Ministry of Economy. In bounds of visit visitors are introduced to political, cultural and economic environment of Georgia in order to introduce to other German citizens. On September 20-21 the delegation was in Batumi organized by International Investors Association. Journalist also visited BTM sewing factory, viewed Batumi Sights and had a boat ride in Batumi sea area. Such visits are very important and need to be implemented often in order to raise and promote country’s image abroad and introduce ongoing trends in Georgia.

The Ministry started accepting statements from physical and legal entities concerning construction of hotels with the intention to develop Kobuleti “Free Touristic Zone” (so called “Pichvnari” territory, 140 meters from the sea.) Three plots of land with the area of 11.3ha have been allocated for 27 hotels which will be constructed on this territory. Three types of hotels have been determined. The wisher will have to make a choice out of these options. The number of floors of the hotels is also determined: 5, 6 or 7 floors (42, 52 or 60 rooms.) (Please follow the link ) Full package of the project construction documentation will be ready by September 24, 2010. Few changes can be made in the project according to the clients wish. It is remarkable that: Management of the construction building land will happen at a symbolic price; Project construction documentation will be handed to the client for free; The territory will be provided with Engineering Utility Networks and corresponding infrastructure. In case if the project is finished by August 1, 2011, the investor will receive a 15-year income and property tax exemption. Statements must be submitted before October 30, 2010. For detailed information contact: Department of Urbanization and Construction of the Ministry Contact numbers: 99 10 45; 99 10 46; 99 11 13; Department of City Planning at the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Adjara Autonomous Republic Contact numbers: 8(88222) 4-79-18 Info Service Contact numbers: 8(88222) 4-79-38; 8(88222) 4-79-39; 8(88222) 4-79-40.

Since September 1^st, 2010 order #690 of Minister of Finance has been come in force, which affirms VAT special regime on Import. Entity, that has declared and paid to the state budget more than 200 000 lari of VAT in last uninterrupted 12 month can use special taxation regime. According to Enclosure 1, Article 2 and paragraph 7, the entity which satisfies the all conditions of the above named regime, then Tax Service automatically gives the status of the special regime.

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On September 13-14, in Batumi, in “Sheraton” hotel and in Tbilisi, in hotel "Courtyard Marriott” will be held the Turkey-Georgia Business-Forum organized by the National Agency for Investment and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Georgia. Within the frameworks of the Forum, according to the sectors, bilateral meeting will be held between the Turkish and Georgian Businessmen. Turkish businessmen delegation will be represented by the representatives of following sectors: Construction and Building Materials, Real Estate, bags and shoes production; restaurants and cafes, food products, poultry and eggs, sweets, car parts, agricultural products, wedding dresses, jewellery manufacture products; accounting, computer, printing services (printing) ; biochemical / haematological reactive and equipment, heavy industry (mineral, black metal), educational and social services. International Investors Association of Georgia calls on the Georgian businessmen to participate actively  in mentioned forum in order to establish new business contacts. The bilateral meetings will be held in Batumi on September 14 at 11 o’clock in “Sheraton” hotel.

“Nabucco” gas pipeline will receive a credit of 4 Billion Euros, foreign media reports. The corresponding agreement was signed between the consortium, building the gas pipeline, and the group of organizations yesterday. The group includes the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Bank and the International Finance Corporation. The total cost of “Nabucco” project was estimated at 8 billion Euros. The construction of the gas pipeline is to start in 2012; while its activation is planned by 2015. ”Nabucco” is regarded as a main alternative of the Russian South Stream pipeline.

On September 1, 2010 was held an auction by Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, where was sold the building with land and property on the territory of Batumi oil processing plant.

Those International Investors Association members who are the owners of the mill factories reacted positively on initiative of the Georgian President to develop special plan by the government connected with growth of the wheat prices.

For investor’s part, they are trying to find an alternative wheat markets with acceptable prices. The owner of Ortsva LTD Ismail Bazarani declared that he purchased wheat in special wheat storage terminals in Tabrzon, which will enable him, not only increase but also decrease wheat prices in nearest days.

For now High-quality 50 kg bag of flour costs 47-48 GEL, as for first class flour – 45 GEL.

In order to study and discuss different issues Chief advisor to Prime-Minister of Georgia Giorgi Pertaia specially visited Batumi and held meeting with the members of International Investors Association and exporters. The purpose of the meeting was to give information to Association members and exporters about working on all issues raised by investors during the meeting on August 9^th of current year. The attendees had also a chance to talk with Mr. Giorgi and discus all actual problems they face during their activity. Government of Georgia is actively working on the issues, solving of which will help exporters very much by means of increasing the export volume. For this reason Mr. Giorgi discussed particular issues with exporter of CIS countries by using of one-to-one form and also expressed his willingness to study carefully their affairs and solve problems. As the fall is upcoming there appeared main problems concerning of exporting citruses and Government’s active actions for protecting exporters’ interests were perceived positively.