On July 29, 2010, the meeting was held with French investor Yann Ichbiah at International Investors Association office, who intends to build French restaurant and guest-house in Kobuleti and Kvariati. The meeting between French investor and General Secretary of the association was introductory. The construction is planned to begin in nearest future. As a result, the region will have guest-house and another food object in the form of French restaurant named Paris-Kobuleti.

In July 2010, CLDP was held workshops, sector-specific meetings, and site visits in Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Batumi for relevant government officials, trade association representatives, and private sector producers on how to expand Georgia’s exports under the GSP program and how to satisfy U.S. import standards and regulations.

The faculty for the program was held on July 26, 2010 by representatives from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The faculty program objectives were as:

1. To provide practical assistance to Georgian agribusinesses and the Government of Georgia on how to recognize and take advantage of market opportunities in order to increase exports to the United States.

2. To improve the skill and knowledge level of the Government of Georgia and the private sector to recognize and follow U.S. government requirements for importation, especially for agricultural products.

3. To improve the ability of the Government of Georgia and private sector exporters to take advantage of the U.S. GSP program.

A Joint Needs Assessment of Georgia by the United Nations and the World Bank noted that exports of Georgian goods and services were expected to decline by 22 percent in the beginning of 2009.  In addition, according to the National Statistics Office of Georgia, Georgia’s exports to U.S. in 2009 totaled only $37 million (3% of total exports) and included just 9 of the 3,400 eligible product types under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program. The agribusiness sector, which accounts for 16 percent of Georgia’s economic output, has been the basis for significant exports to other nations.

Increased output and exportation of GSP-eligible agricultural products to the U.S. is possible by providing technical assistance to improve Georgian exporters’ ability to meet U.S. food and beverage import standards and regulations and to expand their use of GSP duty-free export opportunities.

Commercial attache of France Mr. Daniel Patat was on a visit to International Investors Association of Georgia. Caucasus coordinator of French Businessmen council was engaged in the visit as well. The meeting was introductory. The chairman of Association Mr. Cemal Bilgingulluoglu informed the guest about the association structure, main goals, visions and priorities. Guests became interested in Association’s activities after the meeting with the government of Adjara. They were satisfied with the businessmen’ successful activities in Adjara region and with an advantage investment environment.

On July 22, 2010 was held next meeting of Georgian International Investors Association Trustee Board. On the meeting were discussed issues concerning financial situation of the association and was checked financial statements. Head of the Trustee Board Mr. Levan Shervashidze and member Ilker Dindar expressed their own views on how to carry out association financial position and implement jobs more successfully.

Based on a new report by the World Bank “Investing Across Borders 2010”, Georgia is one of the most opened countries for direct foreign investments among 87 countries in the world. Based on all indicators of mentioned research of World Bank, Georgia is fully opened for foreign capital and there are not any restrictions to foreign companies. Only 4 procedures and 4 days is enough to establish the business and LTDs in Georgia. Foreign company does not need any additional documents or permissions that it represents the subsidiary company of existed company in foreign country. Company is able to sign in the necessary documents for registration in “online” regime and receive the identification number. The companies are able to establish bank accounts in foreign currency. There is no any demand of existence of minimal foreign capital for local companies as well as for foreign companies. The establishment of business in Georgia can be done in less than a week. Based on mentioned research, it is necessary 33 days to establish the business in Poland, in Russia-31 days, in Greece-22 days, in Bulgaira-20 days, Armenia-18 days, Turkey 8 days. More than 6 months is necessary to begin the business in Angola (263 days) and Haiti (212 days). According to the law adopted in 2008, the registration issues concerning the possession of land has been significantly simplified and accelerated. Only 1 week is necessary to hold land under lease in Georgia while the mentioned procedure needs 5 months in Poland. The land of government’s property is possible to lease in 50 days while in Bulgaria it continues almost 1 year (352 days). Investing Across Borders 2010aims to help countries develop more competitive business environments by identifying good practices in investment policy design and implementation. It provides indicators examining sector-specific restrictions on foreign equity ownership, the process of starting a foreign business, access to industrial land, and commercial arbitration regimes in 87 countries.

See statistic...

Tariffs and Fees for Services provided by Revenue Service
Georgian Government Resolution No96
March 30, 2010

According to a joint order of the Minister of Finance of Georgia and the Minister of Economic Development of Georgia №890-№1-1/2978 as of December 30, 2009, the Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry was granted the right to resume issuance of the certificate of origin of goods.

If, prior to August 1, 2008 the Chamber only issued CT-1 certificate of origin of goods, the mentioned order entitled it to additionally issue three more certificates:

1. Non-preferential certificate of origin;
2. Preferential certificate of origin – form A;
3. Preferential certificate of origin – EUR 1.

The Chamber has a many years' experience in issuance of certificates, which is a guarantee that our service will be prompt, high-quality and significantly preferential.

The period of issuance of the certificate by the Chamber, as well as the service charge (including VAT), will be determined in the following way:

-          if issuance of the certificate will take more than 2 working days – free of charge;

-          2 days – 20 GEL;

-          4-8 hours – 50 GEL;

-          1-3 hours – 75 GEL.

Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation plans the construction of oil refine factory in Georgia. The corporation has announced the expression of interest within the planning-construction of oil refine factory. Consultant has to study the technical and economical opportunities of oil refine complex’s construction, which has to satisfy the financing demands of international financial institutions. Particularly, market analysis, determination of supply opportunities, determination of produced petroleum volume, estimation of profit and expenditure, the analysis of alternative decisions, risk analysis, development of Business plan and financial model, the estimation of infrastructure and service concerning the project, conceptual planning. Technical-economical substantiation prepared by consultant has to present the information about the estimation of possible influence of project on geographical environment, subscribe of legislative limitations and regulations and the enough information for forming of the tender documentation for further detailed projecting and construction.

On July 2^nd of current year in office of International Investors Association was held meeting between exporters and head coordinator of Export promotion Service of the national investment agency Mr. Mikheil Kobaladze, commercial attaché of European Union representation Ms. Virginia Kosoul, The German Technical Support Society representative Mrs. Aleksandra Operman and Alexander Revia. At the meeting were attending Commercial attaché Of Turkish republic in Batumi Volkan Berker, Chairman deputy of International Investors Association Cezmi Akshahin, Chairman of Trustee Board Mr. Levan Shervashidze, The head of Certification and licensing department of Finance and Economic Ministry, trustee from Ministry of Agriculture, 32 exporters and mass media representatives.

At the meeting were presented presentations of Export Promotion Service and trade relationships between Georgia and European Union by Commercial attaché of European Union.

Timely solution of all issues of the meeting raised by exporters will lead to easier work and growth of export volume.

Export Promotion Service in nearest future will put in motion new trade web-portal and export info center due to promote making contacts between local entrepreneurs and foreign buyers.

The Prime-Minister of Georgia Nika Gilauri introduced the new Minister of Economy and Steady Development – Vera Kobalia to the employees on July 3. Nika Gilauri expressed his hope that Vera Kobalia will be the Minister who will successfully run the Ministry for many years. The Prime-Minister noted that the country has great achievements in terms of economic development but there are still two serious problems – inflow of investments and the pace of privatization processes. “These are the two mainstream directions of the Ministry of Economy and Steady Development and this will be the main objective of the newly appointed Minister,” – Gilauri said. The Prime-Minister wished luck to the new Minister and also talked about her path – Kobalia worked abroad; she comes from the private sector and understands the investment issues well. This will help her to enlarge the business sector in the county and accelerate the privatization process. The Prime-Minister also thanked the former Minister of Economy for his work. The newly appointed Minister of Economy and Steady Development Vera Kobalia said that there is a lot to be done in a short period of time so it is important to work actively: “If we want to be tourists in our own country, we can do nothing and let the occupants rule our country, but I am sure that we don’t want this. We are hardworking people; my colleagues and I will even work on weekends to improve Georgian economy, strengthen small business, and introduce many investors and tourists to our country. I shall speak about the improvement of the economy until every single person has a normal life” – Vera Kobalia said. The Minister named employment as her number one priority but also talked about the importance of developing agriculture in order for the production not only to be exported abroad but also take its significant place on the local market. Attracting investments is also very important; the investors should be offered programs worked out beforehand. The Ministry must accelerate privatization processes and develop tourism. Vera Kobalia was born on August 24, 1981 in Sokhumi. She moved to Canada after the war in Sokhumi where she spent last 15 years. Vera Kobalia worked on managing positions in Canadian business-companies and different nongovernmental organizations. She returned to Georgia in February, 2010 and became the leader of “Coalition for Justice” organization. The new Minister of Economy and Steady Development names employment, development of tourism and small business as her number one priorities. The President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili talked about the changes in the government structure in June 26 and the Prime-Minister introduced the new government team on a plenary sitting on July 2. The main priority of the new team will be defeating poverty. The government of Georgia expressed its trust to the new program.