Doing Business in Georgia

AmCham-EUGBC SME Committee established

On October 9^th a special inter-organizational AmCham-EUGBC SME committee was formed. The Committee members include EUGBC, AmCham, civil movement “Solidarity”, Business and Economic Center, International Association of Business and Parliament, UNDP, TBC Bank, Bank of Georgia, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ), independent economists and financial institutions. The partners of the Committee are Friedrich Ebert Stiftung and Eurasia Partnership Foundation. Kakha Kokhreidze from the civil movement “Solidarity” is appointed as Executive Secretary of the committee.

The mission of the SME Committee is to support economic reforms allowing small businesses to develop, access international markets and engage in global network of enterprise. For more information on the Committee and review of its mission statement please visit www.eugbc.net and www.amcham.ge.

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Local business associations are encouraged by the international community and are developing. The well-established associations are mainly based in Tbilisi and a few have branch network in regions. Regional associations are smaller and are mainly engaged in agriculture and tourism.

The range of issues local associations work on is quite wide. Almost all work on improving the legal environment and trying to lobby their business interests. Other activities include search for business partners, personnel training for a business sector, market research, and consultations on legal issues. Several national business associations are members of international business associations.

AmCham and/or EUGBC Members

Association for Protection of Landowners' Rights
Tel: +995 (32) 931 276
Website: http://www.aplr.org
The APLR was founded at the first stage of land reform in Georgia. Many significant results of Georgian economic reforms have been achieved with active support and involvement of the Association, including privatization of enterprise land, privatization and registration of agricultural land, conduction and monitoring of cadastral works, facilitating transactions on real estate and simplifying procedures of transactions. The Association works to streamline legal and regulatory framework of real estate ownership and management, to register land ownership rights, to increase public awareness and promote active dialogue over land issues in Georgia and throughout the Caucasus region.

Association of Georgian Exporters Contact: Tamaz Agladze
5, Jikia Street
Tel/Fax: (995 32) 244302, 244303
E-mail: tamazagladze_3@hotmail.com
Specialization: Support export, development of new markets, advocacy of member interests

Federation of Georgian Businessmen
Contact: Giorgi Isakadze
3, Gergeti Street
Tel: (995 32) 940472
Fax: (995 32) 923015
E-mail: isakadze@fgb.ge
Specialization: Protection of entrepreneurs' rights

ICTPL - International Center for Trade Policy and Law Georgia
Contact: Alexander Khvtisiashvili
Tel: (995 32) 284642
Fax: (995 32) 284642
E-mail: khvtisiasvili@yahoo.com; ictplgeo@gmail.com
www.ictpl.ge

Other Associations

Association of Banks of Georgia
Contact: Zurab Gvasalia
22, Khorava Street
Tel/Fax: (995 32) 232491
E-mail: abg_banks@yahoo.com
Specialization: Advocate of banks' rights

Young Bankers' Association
Contact: Irakli Kilauridze
70, Kostava Street
Tel/Fax: (995 32) 235786
E-mail: IrakliKL@tbcbank.com.ge
Specialization: Banking sector development

Caucasus Brand Protection Group
Contact: Esben Emborg
58, Irakli Abashidze Street
Tel: (995 32) 250195/97
Fax: (995 32) 250603
E-mail: esben.emborg@nestle.ge
www.nestle.ge
Specialization: Intellectual rights protection through better legislation and strengthened enforcement measures

Georgian Young Lawyers' Association
Contact: Zaza Rukhadze
15, Krilova Street Tel: (995 32) 936101, 921035
Fax: (995 32) 923211
E-mail: zrukhadze@gyla.ge
www.gyla.ge
Specialization: Promote rule of law

Young Economists' Association
Contact: Tengiz Shergelashvili
35,Orbeliani Street
Tel/Fax: (995 32) 922461, 922839
E-mail: tesher@economists.ge
www.economists.ge
Specialization: Support economic development and establishment of liberal market principles  

Georgian Securities Industry Association
Contact: Irakli Kirtava
74, Chavchavadze Avenue
Tel: (995 32) 220718
Fax: (995 32) 251876
E-mail: gsia@gsia.ge
www.gsia.ge
Specialization: Securities market development, advocacy of members’ interests

Georgian Intellectual Property Association
Contact: Nino Kuntseva-Gabashvili
27, Griboedov Street
Tel/Fax: (995 32) 931479
E-mail: nino@geip.ge
www.geip.ge
Specialization: Intellectual rights protection through better legislation and strengthened enforcement measures

Georgian International Road Carriers Association
Contact: Gia Tsipuria
12, Al.Kazbegi Ave
Tel: (995 32) 223987
Fax: (995 32) 385635
E-mail: girca@girca.org
www.girca.org
Specialization: Advocate member interests, TIR regime guarantee

Association of Young Scientists of Agriculture and Food Industry "GONI"
Contact: Kakha Mukhiguli
1, Mtskheta Street
Tel: (995 32) 227955
E-mail: Kakha_mukhiguli@yahoo.com
Specialization: Development of agribusiness, food industry

The Georgian Association of Women in Business
Contact: Nino Elizbarashvili
7, Kipshidze Street
Tel/Fax: (995 32) 221356
E-mail: wbus@caucasus.net
Specialization: Support development of SMEs and women in business