On August 21-22 Batumi visited delegation of 14 persons of Tourism Investors Association "TYD” from Turkey. The guests were hosted by the Chairman of Adjara A/R Mr. Levan Varshalomidze, where the participants considered the prospects of increase of Turkish investments in the field of tourism. Members of the delegation met with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili and discussed the tourism development plan. International Investors Association of Georgia actively participated in a program of the visit of "TYD" delegation and establishes the close ties with the Tourism Investors Association to discuss the future specific projects. Tourism Investors Association of Turkey "TYD" was established in 1988. It unites hundreds of investors, who are working in the field of tourism. Turkey is the world's leading country in tourism and it is in eighth place. The branch is being served by 250 thousand hotel beds, 25 thousand places of Aviation, 8 thousand Marina - yacht wharf capacity, 400 thousand people are employed and the country receives annually 27 million tourists and 23 billion dollars income. The relationship with the representatives of mentioned branch and the sharing of its experience is very important precondition for the successful development of tourism.

Georgian government increased the fee for using roads up to 200 lari and concerning procedures will be implemented by Revenue Service based on Government resolution. In the resolution is also indicated the instruction for these procedures. In particular, in case of movement through Georgian Territory under custom control or transportation of cargos, freight auto transport – tractors, Cargo carrier motor vehicles except minibus, special purpose motor vehicles – emergency trucks, car hoists, Fire vehicles, auto concrete vehicles, road cleaning vehicles, irrigation-washing vehicles, workshop vehicles and also the owner or the driver of the car with x-ray equipment should pay fee for using road – 200 lari. In addition at time of crossing boarder the authoritative person from Revenue Service shall explain to the driver all his liabilities concerning the fee payment in written form. Without fee payment under custom control it is not allowed to transport cargos through Georgian Territory. In case of violation of a rule the driver has to pay penalty of 600 Gel worth. There is also indicated the conditions for liberation from fee. The person who is carrying cargo from check point of the seaport to the nearest custom control zone in 10 km radius or vice versa by truck vehicles, is free from fee payment. Government implemented fee for using road just for keep new roads in safe. As for the decision it was made by parliament at spring session.

September 8-9, 2010
Tbilisi, Marriott - Tbilisi, Georgia
In cooperation with the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia

On September 8-9, 2010, the U.S. Department of Commerce will host a Business Summit at the Tbilisi Marriott Hotel to promote new trade and investment relationships between U.S. and Georgian companies.

Participants in the Summit can expect:

· A conference on September 8 will provide the latest information on the most prospective business opportunities in Georgia, on best practices from U.S. companies that have successfully done business in Georgia, and on the experiences of Georgian companies that are involved in profitable U.S. business partnerships. Panel discussions will focus on energy, infrastructure, financial resources, and best prospects for cooperation, including franchising, tourism, agriculture and health care.

· A half-day of networking on September 9 will provide an opportunity for Summit attendees to have one-on-one meetings with select Summit speakers (see the registration form for details).

· Guidance from the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and the Export-Import Bank of the United States on how to use U.S. government programs to do business with Georgia.

· The U.S. Ambassador to Georgia and the Georgian Ambassador to the United States are both expected to participate.

· Information from representatives of multilateral development banks with major active projects in Georgia, including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, International Finance Corporation, and Asian Development Bank.

Registration

The registration fee to attend the Business Summit is USD 50 (or GEL 90).  The Amcham in Georgia is conducting registration on behalf of U.S. Department of Commerce.  See the registration for at www.amcham.ge/Summit%20registration%20form%20with%20bios.pdf for more information and details on how to register.

Questions?

Please contact Ellen House at 202-482-0360 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

International Investors Association of Georgia is continuing to extend relationship with competent and authoritative persons at custom in order to get full information about different issues and explanation about legislation. At the meeting will be also discussed those problems which face investors during their activity. The main subject of the meeting on August 17 was so called “product processing regime at customs”, which textile companies are concerned. The head of custom formation of regional Revenue Service of Adjara Mr. Mikheil Qavtaradze gave full information about establishment of outlet norms and the procedures concerning remains, expert decision, the procedures for cuting off and destruction of remains and drawing up an act, main control problems and difficulties at time of product processing at customs, making custom clearance for spare parts and accessories in frontier points, presenting bank guarantee. International Investors Association of Georgia is planning to arrange meeting between custom authorities and businessmen in nearest future.

On August 14 2010, International Investors Association hosted the businessmen from Turkey- Ozgur Temur the owner of Istanbul Bazaar, Rejai Delibasioglu the president of Artvin Diaspora and his deputy Mehmet Koksal. The aim of the visit of Businessmen was the acquaintance with investment environment of Georgia.During the meeting with the deputy of Association’s Chairman Mr. Cezmi Aksahin and with the General Secretary of Association Mr. Tamaz Shavadze the businessmen announced, that on September 4-5 they together with German businessmen will visit Adjara Region again.

Based on Order No. 3489 of Georgian President the Changes and additions to Georgian Tax Code has been come in force since August 1^st except articles No.  35, 36, 37, 38, 40 and paragraph b) of the article No. 41, which will come in force from September 1^st.

These changes and additions also maintain the growth of penalties and sanctions and excise tax on Alcoholic beverages. These very changes also will be overlooked in Autumn and final version will come in force from January 1^st, 2011.

Batumi, Tamari settlement, buildings located on the territory of Batumi Oil Refinery; 01 – shed, 02 – lavatory, 03 – pumping room, 04 – administrative, 05 – transformer’s office, 06 – pumping station, 07 – dining room, 08 – automatic bottling spot , 09 – operational office (disestablished) 10 – administrative operational office, 11 – pumping room, 12 – pumping room, 13 – pumping room, 14 – warehouse/workshop 15 – transformer’s office, 16 – shed, 17 – pumping room, 18 – lavatory, 19 – pumping room (disestablished,) 20 – operational office, 21 – oil reservoirs, oil reservoirs from 1 to 46, 47 – technical water reservoir and the 232 607 sq.m. plot of land attached to it; buildings (overall area – 948.9 sq.m.) and the 1 541 sq.m. plot of land attached to it; buildings №1 - operational office, №2 – transformer’s office, №3 – pumping room, №4 – oil reservoir, №5 – oil reservoir and the 14 943 sq.m. plot of land attached to it; buildings №1 - shed, №2 - operational overpass and the 4 470 sq.m. plot of land attached to it; 987 sq.m. plot of land; №1 – buildings (overall area – 174.80 sq.m.) and the 40 500 sq.m. plot of land attached to it; 3 585 sq.m. plot of land; technical water pipe (length 4 455.46 meters; linearly structured dam (length 409 m.) railroad overpass (length 214.99m;) pipe (length 7 655.19 m;) railroad overpass (length 904.5 m;) pipeline (oil pipes: 1 – diameter 250 mm. length 1259.4 (oil;) 2 – diameter 300 mm. length 2283.2 m (petrol;) 3 – diamater – 300 mm. length – 3 478.4 m(oil)), length 7021 m; railroad overpass (length – 185 m;) railroad overpass (length – 185 m.)

Detailed information...

At Georgian International Investors Association was held a meeting with Chief advisor to the Prime Minister for the protection of private sector Mr. Giorgi Pertaia. At the meeting Giorgi Pertaia got acquainted with the activity of the International Investors Association and main problems that investors face very often. Investors had particular issues which they would like to be solved by the government, including Revenue Service tariffs, problems concerning custom issues. Additionally, there was mentioned existing situation about relationship with financial police and were given practical examples, which humiliates investment environment of Georgia. Mr. Giorgi used to work in Chamber of Commerce of USA, USID and EU projects; he graduated business school in west Illinois and worked in Hamilton Company in Washington. He knows business sphere well and actively is trying to solve main problems in private sector. So investors hope that their particular problems will be discussed at the highest levels and timely will be solved. Giorgi Pertaia declared that every problem raised by investors will be presented to the Prime Minister same day and in shortest time will be discussed and solved. “I guarantee that a concrete issue or problem that are raised by investors will be passed to the Prime Minister same day. You can use mobile phone, E-mail, special form given on the web-site for the communication. I also guarantee Anonymous if it is needed” – declared Giorgi Pertaia. At the meeting they agreed that Georgian International Investors Association will inform Chief advisor about all concerning problematic issues of the investors in written form, which they want to be solved.

On July 31, 2010 meeting was held with chairman of International Consortium of High Technology Mr. Elia Tannoury at International Investors Association office. After meeting with Minister of Finance and Economy, Mr. Elia Tannoury offered his help and support to association members concerning high technology issues. The meeting was held in friendly atmosphere and promises new and interesting projects in future.

Meeting was held with Turkish businessmen at International Investors Association office. They are interested in construction business in Batumi. Investors got acquainted with tendencies of business development, taxation and investment environment. The head of delegation Mehmet Ardanuchi declared that investment environment existed in Adjara region is very impressionable. Businessmen already started to bargain and in nearest future will implement investment for the project.