Countries Recognizing Breakaway Abkhazia, S. Ossetia Not to Get US Financing in 2020

Issue no: 1192/201 • OCTOBER 8 - 10, 2019 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50

In this week’s issue... FOCUS ON THE GERMAN Weekly Entrepreneurial PRESIDENT @entrepreneur.ge Positive messages ﬂ ow on News the German President's NEWS PAGE 2 visit to Georgia PAGE 2 President Awards Golden Fleece Order to Rose Gottemoeller NEWS PAGE 2 October 2019 Agri Review: New Draft Strategy of Georgia’s Rural & Agricultural Development 2021-2027 ISET PAGE 4 Azerbaijan Tourism Board Opens ‘Azerbaijan. Travel’ Image source: CNN.com Visitor Center in Tbilisi BUSINESS PAGE 7 Countries Recognizing Breakaway Abkhazia, Rose Gottemoeller on Georgia Keeping Its Eye on S. Ossetia Not to Get US Financing in 2020 the NATO Prize POLITICS PAGE 9 BY TEA MARIAMIDZE Dato Turashvili: Freedom ountries that recognize the independence of Georgia’s Rus- Factory Will Help to Create sian-occupied Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions will not receive funding from the United States budget in 2020 as a Free Society the have in the previous three years. The US Senate Appropriations Committee approved the FY SOCIETY PAGE 10 2020C State and Foreign Operations (SFOPs) appropriations draft bill which, along with the funding for US global health programs at the State Depart- In your Face, part II: ment and the US Agency for International Development (USAID), deter- mines US priorities in support and assistance for its partner countries. Becho, Svaneti Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the 2020 Fiscal Year Bill con- tains an important record in terms of the de-occupation and non-recog- CULTURE PAGE 11

Prepared for Georgia Today Business by Markets Asof04ͲOctͲ2019 Image source: azernews.az STOCKS Price w/w m/m BONDS Price w/w m/m BankofGeorgia(BGEOLN) GBP12.82 Ͳ4,3% Ͳ4,7% GEOROG04/21 104.39(YTM3.80%) Ͳ0,1% Ͳ0,5% GeorgiaCapital(CGEOLN) GBP9.98 Ͳ2,7% Ͳ0,2% GEORG04/21 106.01(YTM2.79%) +0,1% Ͳ0,1% nition of Georgian breakaway regions. According to the ministry, the law GHG(GHGLN) GBP2.08 +3,8% Ͳ2,6% GRAIL07/22 109.80(YTM3.96%) +0,0% Ͳ0,2% provides for an unprecedented increase in budgetary allocations for TBCBankGroup(TBCGLN) GBP12.00 Ͳ2,9% Ͳ3,1% GEBGG07/23 102.96(YTM5.13%) Ͳ0,0% +0,3% Georgia. COMMODITIES Price w/w m/m CURRENCIES Price w/w m/m CrudeOil,Brent(US$/bbl) 58,37 Ͳ5,7% Ͳ3,8% GEL/USD 2,9613 +0,0% +0,0% “The funding provided under this law will not beneﬁ t any central gov- GoldSpot(US$/OZ) 1504,66 +0,5% Ͳ3,1% GEL/EUR 3,2533 +0,5% Ͳ0,4% ernment if the US Secretary of State establishes and reports to the Appro- GEL/GBP 3,6518 +0,4% +0,7% INDICES Price w/w m/m GEL/CHF 2,9758 Ͳ0,4% Ͳ1,2% priations Committee that the country has recognized or has established FTSE100 7155,38 Ͳ3,6% Ͳ2,1% GEL/RUB 0,0458 Ͳ +2,2% diplomatic relations with Russian-occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali / FTSE250 19480,37 Ͳ2,5% Ͳ0,7% GEL/TRY 0,5199 Ͳ0,4% Ͳ0,4% DAX 12012,81 Ͳ3,0% Ͳ0,1% GEL/AZN 1,7454 +0,0% +0,0% South Ossetia,” the statement reads. DOWJONES 26573,72 Ͳ0,9% +0,8% GEL/AMD 0,0062 ͲͲ NASDAQ 7982,47 +0,5% +0,1% GEL/UAH 0,1205 Ͳ1,9% +2,9% It is noteworthy that such a record was made in the law in 2017 and the MSCIEMEE 168,23 Ͳ2,6% Ͳ0,9% EUR/USD 0,9109 Ͳ0,3% +0,5% ministry says that any funding provided by this law may not be used by MSCIEM 996,58 Ͳ0,5% +0,6% GBP/USD 0,8108 Ͳ0,3% Ͳ0,7% SP500 2952,01 Ͳ0,3% +0,5% CHF/USD 0,9958 +0,5% +1,5% Russia to support the occupation of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. MSCIFM 2582,98 Ͳ0,6% Ͳ0,8% RUB/USD 64,6307 Ͳ0,1% Ͳ2,4% GTIndex(GEL) 1582,68 ͲͲTRY/USD 5,6989 +0,5% +0,6% Continued on page 2 GTIndex(USD) 1208,13 ͲͲAZN/USD 1,7001 Ͳ0,0% Ͳ GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS OCTOBER 8 - 10, 2019 On the German President’s Visit to Georgia @entrepreneur.ge Gamarjoba! I’m the Editor-in-Chief of the Georgian edition of BY THE GT TEAM Entrepreneur magazine and I’m here to share the top weekly Entrepreneurial news with you:

erman President Frank- Infl uence Georgia, the winner of the 2nd round Walter Steinmeier is pay- of the grant program of the Georgian ing an offi cial visit to Geor- Innovations and Technologies Agency (GITA), gia with his wife Elke has launched an investment agreement with Budenbender. David Zerah, the investor of the Global Startup GSteinmeier has so far met with Geor- Fund. The winning project will be fi nanced by gian President Salome Zurabishvili at GITA and the Global Startup Fund with 50% the Atoneli Presidential Palace and Geor- each. Infl uence Georgia envisages the gian PM Giorgi Gakharia. He is also set development of a fully automatized infl uence to meet with Parliament Speaker Archil marketing platform. The aim of the project is Talakvadze and His Holiness and Beat- to make the company’s product the world’s itude Catholicos-Patriarch of All Geor- leading infl uence marketing platform, boasting gia, Ilia II. two directions: e-commerce and travel. During the visit, Steinmeier will also On November 8-10, Tbilisi is to host the regional meet with Georgian businessmen in Startup Grind Europe-Asia Connect, the largest Tbilisi and visit several wineries in the international network of startup founders. The Kakheti region of western Georgia, Ala- Image source: 1tv.ge event is to bring together more than 30 speakers verdi Monastery and the Palace of King from over 20 countries, successful startups, Erekle II. of information about Georgia in the Ger- vital importance of introducing the The visit will end on October 8. man press and other media resources. development of events in Georgia’s occu- companies operating in the sphere of technologies, Steinmeier last visited Georgia in 2016 “In almost all newspapers and maga- pied territories at high level international as well as experts in the fi eld. The aim? To make the when he was serving as Foreign Minister zines there are articles about Georgian and bilateral formats. PM Gakharia region attractive for globally successful of Germany. literature, the country’s culture, as well expressed gratitude to Germany for its businesses,to support the development of Steinmeier’s meeting with his Georgian as offers to travel to the region of Svaneti involvement in the European Union technologies and to attract investments into the counterpart Salome Zurabishvili on Sun- or participate in harvesting in Kakheti,” Monitoring Mission (EUMM). country. Startup Grind is the largest international day was followed by a joint statement stated Steinmeier, noting that through The progress achieved by Georgia on network for startups, boasting more than 600 for the media, where the presidents of the detailed information about the coun- the path to European and Euro-Atlantic representations and 2 million members worldwide. the two countries discussed a number try, Georgia has become very attractive integration was also underlined at the Stack is a Georgian startup which is launching an of important issues. for German tourists. meeting, with Gakharia highlighting the alternative internet browser. The app is set for a lot While speaking about the German- At the German President’s meeting role of German experts in the implemen- of success and has already been named as Georgia’s Georgian relations, President Steinmeier with Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi tation of the NATO-Georgia Substantial business card on the world map of internet accentuated the successful cooperation Gakharia, the parties focused on the suc- Package. applications. Austrian 360 LAB Accelerator has that has been established between the cessful German-Georgian cooperation, "Germany's support has a tremendous recently selected Stack among its 5 best apps. countries over the past few years and as well as the potential for the enhance- importance in the European and Euro- Through engagement in the acceleration process, highlighted the cultural perspectives of ment of economic links in numerous Atlantic integration of Georgia. Your the startup obtained an investment worth a million that collaboration, in particular the sectors. offi cial visit confi rms that Germany and upgraded to a new level of development. Stack Frankfurt Book Fair 2018, where Georgia The problem of the occupation cur- regards Georgia as its reliable partner,” was co-founded by Giorgi Laliashvili. enjoyed the status of Guest of Honor, as rently faced by Georgia and the diffi cult the PM told the German President. one of the best examples. He noted that situation present in the occupied regions Along with political and economic Follow the Entrepreneur Georgia Instagram page to get the latest updates from the event much contributed to introduc- of the country were also discussed at partnership, the parties also spoke about Georgian Entrepreneurs. For doing business with Georgian Entrepreneurs, write us on ing various Georgian authors to German the meeting, seeing the Head of the collaborating in the spheres of culture [email protected] audiences. He added that there is a lot Georgian Government accentuating the and education. President Awards Golden Fleece Order to Rose Gottemoeller to recognize you as a friend of Georgia. BY ANA DUMBADZE I want to say on behalf of the people of Georgia that you are and will remain a friend of our nation. We will always wel- eorgian President Salome come you in Batumi as well as in other Zurabishvili awarded the parts of the country. It is a sign that our Order of the Golden Fleece cooperation with NATO is a direction to the NATO Deputy Sec- that should continue, be strengthened retary General Rose Got- and lead us to the ultimate goal,” she Gtemoeller at Friday's meeting in Georgia's said. coastal city of Batumi. In turn, Rose Gottemoeller thanked Before handing over the award, Zura- President Zurabishvili for the award and bishvili addressed the Deputy Secretary emphasized that she is looking forward General and the audience, noting that to the day when Georgia will become a Gottemoeller had dedicated her entire member of the Alliance. life to peace. “I want to thank Mrs. President and "Our cooperation is aimed at strength- the Government of Georgia. I am hon- ening peace in this region, which is ored to have such a prestigious Order. increasingly important in today's world. NATO's unique partnership with Geor- What you have done to support Geor- gia is 30 years old and during that gia's territorial integrity and sovereignty, period, our ties have only deepened. and to enhance NATO's support for Georgia will become a NATO member to non-NATO countries in Afghani- Georgia. It was established in 1998 and in Colchis in what is now western Georgia. Georgia, is clear in an extraordinary year one day and I am looking forward to stan. comes next in rank to the Order of St. for Georgia-NATO relations. I think that that day," she said, adding that Geor- The Order of the Golden Fleece is an Nicholas. The Order is named after the Read our interview with Ms Gottemoeller on awarding you today is a way for Georgia gia is one of the largest contributors honor awarded by the Government of mythical Golden Fleece, which was held page 9. Countries Recognizing Breakaway Abkhazia, S. Ossetia Not to Get US Financing in 2020

Continued from page 1 has been signifi cantly increased, to according to the draft law, part of the 2018. The budget allocates $275 million Russia, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Nauru and $132,025,000, which is the highest bench- funding should be used to fulfi ll EU in total for countries in Eastern Europe Vanuatu also recognized these regions “The bill calls on the US Treasury mark seen in Georgia-US relations. association agreements and trade agree- and Eurasia to develop law enforcement as countries. However, the latter with- Department to provide appropriate guid- Georgia is set to receive $40 million in ments with Eastern Partnership coun- and security capabilities, to approximate drew its recognition in 2013. Last year, ance to US Executive Directors of Inter- funding under the Foreign Military tries, as well as to reduce the impact of with the EU and NATO and resist polit- Syria also expressed its support to these national Financial Institutions in order Financing Fund (FMF) which is $5 mil- external economic factors and political ical and economic pressure from Russia. de facto regions and it was added by the to prevent them from fi nancing any pro- lion more than the funding allocated in and economic pressure from the Russian It also prohibits support for any programs US to the list of countries banned from gram (including loan, credit or guarantee) 2019. Federation. which violate Georgian sovereignty and receiving US aid. that violates Georgia's sovereignty and In addition, the bill provides $285 mil- To note, the US FY2019 State and For- territorial integrity. The remainder of the international territorial integrity,” Georgian MFA said. lion for Western European and Eurasian eign Operations Appropriations Bill The August 2008 war left 20% of Geor- community says occupied Abkhazia and Moreover, the Foreign Ministry under- countries, including Georgia, to support reads that it provides increased support gian territories occupied by Russia, which South Ossetia are parts of Georgia and lined that the amount of fi nancial aid their Western integration. for Georgia, with more than $127 million set up military bases in these regions call on Russia to withdraw its forces allocated to Georgia in the 2020 draft Georgia’s Foreign Ministry says that in aid. This is $22 million more than in and deployed its troops there. Following from these territories. GEORGIA TODAY OCTOBER 8 - 10, 2019 BUSINESS 3 Russian Airlines Demand Compensation after Travel Embargo on Georgia came after Russian MP Sergey Gavrilov's BY BEKA ALEXISHVILI visit to Tbilisi, seeing him addressing the Assembly on Orthodoxy from the House Speaker’s chair. This action sparked ussian airline Pobeda has protests all over Tbilisi, while Russia requested that the Ministry currently occupies Georgian territory. of Transport of Russia defi ne The agency mentions that disrupting the deadlines on when they fl ights to Tbilisi and Batumi has cost will be reimbursed for the Pobeda airlines up to $8 million in losses. fiR nancial damages the company has suf- S7 estimate they have a loss of around fered due to the Russian-initiated travel $9 million, while Red Wings airline embargo on direct fl ights to Georgia, specifi ed that its loss amounted to $3 media outlet Ekho Kavkaza reports. million, Kommersant reported. On July 8, Russia initiated a travel Before the embargo, Aerofl ot, Pobeda, embargo on Georgia, suspending all S7, Ural Airlines, Red Wings and Smart- direct fl ights to the country. This move avia all carried out fl ights to Georgia. New Developments at the Davit Gareji Monastery Complex

another. According to Mirzaliev, the David Gareji monastery complex, Inter- BY BEKA ALEXISHVILI Caucasian Albanians constructed the fax-Azerbaijan reports. temples from indigenous stones. Besides The opening ceremony of the outpost the representative, Deputy of the Exec- was attended by Colonel-General Elchin he Ministry of Culture of utive Ofﬁ ce of the Agstafa region, Lala Guliyev and the head of the Adminis- Azerbaijan, together with Eyyubova, also told the participants that tration of the Agstafa region. During the regional administration the reserve is associated with the ancient the speech, Guliyev noted the effective of the Agstafa province, history of the Azerbaijani people. realization of the approach for safe- organized a tour within The tour took place in the Azerbaijani guarding the state-border. “The Azer- theT context of the ‘Days of European language. Infoteka24 emphasized the baijan-Georgia state border is a border Heritage’ (EHD) to the Georgian mon- close ties the First Lady of Azerbaijan of a strategic partnership. Azerbaijani astery complex of Davit Gareji (the has with UNESCO and, according to border guards carry out mutually ben- 'Keshikchidag State Cultural Reserve' the Russian news source, the Georgian eﬁ cial high-level cooperation with their for Azerbaijan). historical monastery complex of David Georgian counterparts,” Guliyev The director of the reserve, Musa Gareji may someday be acknowledged remarked. Mirzaliev, informed the visitors about as the cultural heritage of Azerbaijan. The outpost is equipped with all essen- the natural and manmade caves crafted Azerbaijan has ordered a new Keshi- tial apparatus and meets modern require- by their ancestors in the early medieval kchi Gala border station on the national ments. It is located at the cultural reserve period. The march also took participants border with Georgia in the Agstafa of ‘Keshikchidag’ and covers a large to visit two Albanian temples located region, covering the complex of Keshi- geographical area, including the state at a distance of 1.5 kilometers from one Image Source: Infoteka24.ru kchidag caves, as well as the Georgian border with Georgia. GEORGIA TODAY 4 BUSINESS OCTOBER 8 - 10, 2019

October 2019 Agri Review: New Draft Strategy of Georgia’s Rural & Agricultural Development 2021-2027

n 30 August 2019, a public dicted to grow by only 36% (almost three Table 2. Annual changes in CPI and FPI TRADE HIGHLIGHTS hearing to discuss Geor- times less). This increase is again defi ned Year-over-year total Georgian exports gia’s Rural and Agricultural in nominal terms, while in real terms, increased by 7% from January-Septem- Development Strategy for the income of rural families might dete- ber (from 2,448 mln. USD in 2018 to 2,617 2021-2027 was conducted riorate given the high infl ation rate. mln. USD in 2019). While these total atO the Ministry of Environmental Pro- It should be noted that the strategy exports increased, agricultural exports tection and Agriculture (MEPA). The does not suffi ciently cover such impor- and imports, as well as total imports, new strategy document represents a tant topics as agricultural land registra- declined. The latter decreased by 6% roadmap for Georgia’s rural and agricul- tion, consolidation and market develop- (from 6,698 mln. USD in 2018 to 6,290 tural development for the next decade. ment, or of youth involvement in mln. USD in 2019), whilst agricultural The strategy outlines three major goals agriculture. Both of these issues are exports declined by 13% and there was to be achieved by 2027: extremely important for the sustainable a 12% reduction in agricultural imports. 1. Increasing the competitiveness of development of the sector. agricultural and non-agricultural sectors; TOP AGRICULTURAL EXPORT 2. Sustainable management of natural DOMESTIC PRICES AND IMPORT COMMODITIES resources, preservation of ecosystems, On a monthly basis, the country’s price According to the latest statistics, wine and climate change adaptation; levels increased between June-Septem- increased considerably, by 11.7% com- annual basis). holds fi rst place within Georgian agri- 3. Ensuring food/feed safety and the ber 2019. The Consumer Price Index pared to September 2018. During the Milk, cheese, and eggs - The exchange cultural export products from January- development of effi cient veterinary and (CPI) in September 2019 was 1.7% higher same period, the Georgian lari depreci- rate is partially responsible for the September 2019; the share of wine in plant protection systems. than in August 2019. While in August, ated against the US dollar by 14%. Fur- upward trend in price. The sharpest total agricultural exports is 22%. Mineral Each goal has a set of indicators with the corresponding price increase was thermore, the exchange rate between price increases were observed in Imer- waters and alcoholic spirits stand at sec- respective baseline and target values. 0.8% from July 2019. In June, the month- the lari and the dollar also reached its uli cheese (26%), refl ecting the increased ond and third place, with respective Four of the indicators used to measure over-month change in the CPI was -1% highest level, at 2.97 (NBG, 2019). The price of raw milk (9%). Due to the shares of 14% and 11%. The top ten prod- the competitiveness of agricultural and (compared to May 2019). During the depreciation of the Georgian lari put depreciation of the lari against the dol- ucts also include cigarettes (6%), hazel- non-agricultural sectors (Goal 1) are same period, prices for food and non- upward pressure on the prices of imported lar, the price of imported milk powder nuts (5%), alongside other agricultural summarized in more detail below (Table alcoholic beverages, measured by the goods, including imported food products. (used as a substitute for fresh milk) products. It is noteworthy that after the 1). Food Price Index (FPI), also exhibited Georgia is a net importer of the follow- increased, which forced up the price of extremely successful export years of ing commodities: cheese. 2013-2016, when hazelnut exports aver- Table 1. Indicators from the strategy Fish - In September 2019, fi sh prices aged 176 mln. USD, the average export Increase Increase experienced a signifi cant 16.3% increase INTERNATIONAL PRICES value was just 76 mln. USD in the last between between # Indicator Unit 2009 2018 2027* in comparison to September 2018. Geo- Between June-August 2019, international two years (2017 and 2018). Since this 2009- 2018- stat data shows that the core prices of prices decreased for three consecutive January-September, hazelnut exports 2018 2027* frozen fi sh (17%) and smoked fi sh (17%) months. In September, the Food Price have reached just 32 mln. USD, signaling Output of agricultural increased. Index, measured by the Food and Agri- that 2019 might be even worse than the production and food Million 1 4,653 9,300 12,000 100% 29% Sugar, jam, honey, chocolate, and con- culture Organization (FAO), remained previous years in terms of hazelnut made from processing GEL agricultural products fectionaries - From this group sugar unchanged compared to August 2019. export. Overall, the export of the top ten prices increased the most, by 33% on an The price for sugar decreased (-3.9%). products constitutes almost 70% of total Output in the business Million 2 -- 450 770 -- 71% annual basis. The Food and Agriculture Whereas, prices increased for vegetable Georgian agricultural export (Table 3). sector GEL Organization (FAO) show that interna- oil (1.4%). It is noteworthy that prices For the top agricultural import prod- Export of food and Million 3 316 959 1,300 203% 36% tional prices of sugar increased by 4.1% for meat (0.8%), dairy (-0.6%), and cereal ucts, wheat and meslin keep their tradi- agricultural products USD compared to September 2018. Aside from (-0.1%) remained largely unchanged from tional fi rst place, constituting 8% of total Average monthly the depreciation of the lari, international the previous month. agricultural imports. Wheat is followed 4 income of rural house- GEL 447 880 1,200 97% 36% trends might have placed additional From an annual perspective, interna- by cigarettes (6%) and poultry (4%). The holds upward pressure on sugar prices. tional prices are higher than last year: other major import products are choco- Wheat bread and cereals - Starting the FAO September 2019 Food Price late, other food preparations, bread, Source: GeoStat, 2019; Note: *Based on draft strategy projections. Note: All numbers are in nominal value. from November 2018, products in this Index increased by 3.3% compared to pastry, cakes, etc. The share of major category have been, on average, trading September 2018. Annual price increases products from the total agricultural Indicator 1. The new draft strategy sug- an upward trend. In September 2019, above last year’s prices. In September were observed for meat (10.8%), sugar import varies from 2% to 8%. Imports gests that, in comparison to 2018, by 2027 food prices increased by 3.3% compared 2019, the price of wheat bread increased (4.1%), dairy (1.3%), and vegetable oil of the top ten agricultural products the output of all agro-food production to August, while the corresponding by 11.4% following the increased price (0.6%). Whereas, prices decreased for together constitute 38% of total agricul- (primary as well as processing) will month-over-month price change was of wheat fl our (a 14.8% increase on an cereal (-3.9%). tural imports. increase by 29% in nominal value. If we 1.5% in August 2019 and 0.2% in July. Table 3. Top agricultural export commodities compare this growth to the same indica- From an annual perspective, from June- tor for the past ten years (2009-2018), it September 2019, the CPI has been increas- is more than three times lower. Equally, ing. In August 2019, the CPI increased the infl ation between 2009-2018 was by 4.9% compared to the previous August about 35%, and if the same infl ation rate of 2018. In September 2019, annual infl a- is maintained over the next ten years, tion marked its highest level, 6.4%, for the total value of agro-food production, the period (Table 2). in real terms, might not increase at all In September 2019, the year-over-year or only increase very slightly. prices for food and non-alcoholic bever- Indicator 3. According to the new draft ages increased drastically by 11.7%, con- strategy, the export of agro-food prod- tributing 3.49 percentage points to the ucts is projected to increase by 36% change in the total CPI. The main driv- within the next ten years. This fi gure is ers were price fl uctuations in the fol- also rather low compared to the growth lowing sub-groups: fi sh (+16.3%); milk, rate of 200% over the last ten years cheese, and eggs (+14.6%); sugar, jam, (2009-2018). Such high growth rates, as and confectionary (+13.2); meat (+12.6%) observed from 2009-2018, clearly cannot and bread and cereals (+10.8%). always be maintained, however the pro- jection is still quite slight. SPOTLIGHT Indicator 4. Between 2009-2018, the Annual food infl ation has reached its average monthly income of rural house- highest levels since August 2011: in Sep- holds increased by 97%, whereas over tember 2019, the year-over-year prices the next ten years this indicator is pre- for food and non-alcoholic beverages GEORGIA TODAY OCTOBER 8 - 10, 2019 BUSINESS 5 New EU-AFD Development Project Launched farmers and the value of having high quality extension services available, both public and private. “We expect our new FinExCoop project to posi- tively contribute to the new approaches to deal with the strategic challenges for the future of Geor- gian agriculture, rural development and the development of the more inclusive pattern of economic development required by Georgia’s advanced democratic institutions,” said Dehoux. The conference brought together key stakehold- ers in Georgia’s agricultural sector to inform them on the objectives and expected results of the project and to receive feedback from other actors active in the fi eld, including representatives of the Min- istry of Environment Protection and Agriculture, ENPARD implementing partners, international donors and fi nancial institutions, international and local NGOs, leading agricultural cooperatives and unions, and farmers themselves. The event fi nished with a conversation from a panel of experts whose sectors will be involved in FinExCoop Georgia, moderated by project lead Christophe Cordonnier. AFD is a public fi nancial institution which serves as the main actor for implementing France’s development policy worldwide. AFD works in many sectors – agriculture, energy, health, biodiversity, water, Photo: Frankfurt School of Finance and Management digital technologies – and its action is fully in line four million EUR on the project, which operates Management, well known international non-gov- with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). BY SAMANTHA GUTHRIE within the EU’s ENPARD Program. ENPARD (Euro- ernmental organization Mercy Corps, one of the In 2018, it earmarked EUR 11.4bn to fi nance devel- pean Neighborhood Program for Agriculture and leading national non-governmental organizations opment projects. Since 2016, AFD has been working Rural Development) began in 2013 and has a total in the country, Rural Development for Future Geor- with the Government of Georgia to establish a strong, ast week, the European Union (EU) and budget of 179.5 million EUR. Its goal is to provide gia (RDFG), and French institution, Chambre productive partnership. They currently have an L’Agence Francaise de Developpement economic opportunities in rural areas and reduce d’Agriculture du Loiret. active portfolio of 250 million EUR in Georgia. (AFD) launched a largescale new devel- poverty in Georgia. Thursday’s conference opened with remarks by FinExCoop Georgia ties into AFD’s network of opment initiative designed to support While many ENPARD projects are focused on Giorgi Khanishvili, First Deputy Minister of Envi- global programming that aims to increase fi nancial small-scale commercial farms and coop- specific municipalities, FinExCoop Georgia ronment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, inclusion and access to markets for small-scale erativesL in Georgia. The project, titled Finance & addresses access to fi nance and extension by small- George Dehoux, Program Manager for Agriculture commercial farmers. A preliminary component of Extension & Cooperative Development for Geor- scale farms and cooperatives across the country and Food Safety at the EU Delegation to Georgia, the project was fi nanced by Proparco, an AFD sub- gian Farmers (FinExCoop Georgia), kicked off with using a pilot-project approach. The project is imple- and Gaëlle Assayag, Head of AFD’s regional offi ce sidiary dedicated to supporting the private sector, a launch conference on Thursday, October 3. Over mented in partnership with the consulting and for the South Caucasus. All the speakers empha- through agro-credit lines extended to two major the next four years, the EU and AFD will spend development fi rm Frankfurt School of Finance & sized the importance of extending credit to small Georgian fi nancial institutions. Negotiations Ongoing on Future Cooperation with Azerbaijan in the Field of Tourism

joint tourism packages were discussed. TRANSLATED BY MARIAM MERABISHVILI “We had a very interesting meeting with our Azer- baijani counterparts, we discussed many interesting topics, including the implementation of new projects ariam Kvrivishvili, Head of the by joint forces, and shared experience in the tour- National Tourism Administration ism sector,” Kvrivishvili said. “The demand for the of the Ministry of Economy and region in the eyes of international travelers is grow- Sustainable Development, met ing. Therefore, it is important to carry out Georgia- with Fuad Nagiyev, the Chairman Azerbaijan combined tours. We think we will increase Mof the National Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan, to awareness of the region by also uniting forces in discuss future possible cooperation plans. The countries such as China, Japan and so on.” meeting was also attended by Florian Sengstschmid, Azerbaijan is an important tourist market for Executive Director of the Tourism Council of Azer- Georgia. The neighboring country is among those baijan. boasting the highest tourist numbers coming to The sides discussed cooperation between the two Georgia. countries in the ﬁ eld of tourism. Issues related to The meeting was also attended by the Ambas- business tourism development and working out sador of Azerbaijan to Georgia, Dursun Hasanov. GEORGIA TODAY 6 BUSINESS OCTOBER 8 - 10, 2019 Eurasian Economic Union Might Expand

capable of producing various machinery non-member former Soviet states such BY EMIL AVDALIANI and other vital products. as Azerbaijan and potentially for Middle Uzbekistan's membership of the EEU East powers (Iran and Turkey). will also be a win for Moscow because Though the expansion is a good indi- s the strained Russia-EU of the latter's quiet competition with the cator of Russia's fortunes, in the long relations somewhat sof- Chinese over the region, specifi cally in run it shows the limit of the EEU and tened recently, and a rising the economic and slightly military realms. Moscow's strength. Still without Ukraine, cooperation is being seen As China rolls out its fl agship Belt and the EEU is a constrained market, solely over questions such as Road Initiative, Uzbekistan is of primary dominated by Russia, both economically, AUkraine and Moldova, Russia is on the importance to Beijing. militarily and in terms of population economic offensive throughout the for- True, membership of the EEU will not numbers. In fact, as I have written in mer Soviet space. mean cutting off trade between Uzbek- several articles for GT, nowadays the Valentina Matviyenko, a high ranking istan and China, and the latter will cer- expansion of Russian economic (i.e. Russian offi cial, announced recently that tainly continue investing in the Uzbek geopolitical) interests in Belarus and Uzbekistan had already decided to join economy. However, though no open Uzbekistan is logical, as avenues for the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union animosity exists between Beijing and Moscow's active foreign policy are lim- (EEU) and that fi nal preparations are Moscow on Central Asia issues, Tash- ited to Central Asia and Belarus. Else- taking place in that regard. kent's choice to become a member of where (Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia), Uzbekistan is arguably the most impor- the EEU will serve as a certain limit to the Russian infl uence reached a certain tant country in Central Asia as it is the rising Chinese ambitions. limit, going beyond which would see only state bordering all four "stans" On the other crucial front of Russia's Moscow needing to increase its military (Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and borderlands, Moscow is seemingly close pressure in those countries. Turkmenistan) of the region. From a to reaching a higher level of integration Thus, Economic competition around purely geographic perspective, infl uence with Belarus (a country already an EEU Georgia and in wider Eurasia is intensi- Image source: Vestnik Kavkasia over Uzbekistan would increase Russian member) by 2022. Though Minsk has fying, with large states increase their clout throughout the entire Central Asia. offi cially refuted Russian plans on eco- for Belarus to withstand various Russian take place in the near future, will strengthen efforts to get smaller ones into their Uzbekistan's importance is also maxi- nomic integration, it is clear that pres- moves. Russia's position in Eurasia. It will also respective economic zones. All this is mized by the fact that it possesses a sure from Moscow is indeed mounting Both events, which, at least according increase the EEU's position and make the likely to build up geopolitical tensions pretty competitive industrial sector and it is becoming increasingly diffi cult to the open source material, are likely to bloc economically more attractive for in the super-continent. EBRD Vice-President: Georgian Economy Is Very Diversifi ed

is a very effective communication frame- BY TEA MARIAMIDZE work between the public and private sectors. "Important investors in the country r Jurgen Rigterink, First have the opportunity to have direct con- Vice-President of the tact with the Prime Minister and with European Bank for the country's leadership in general. Usu- Reconstruction and ally, this is a very effective way to resolve Development (EBRD), important issues in the form of consul- saysM that the economy of Georgia is “very tations with the private sector,” he added. diversifi ed.” Rigterink also said that the main achieve- In an interview with Analitika, Rig- ments of the Council are certain exam- terink said that a diverse economy means ples related to the process of harmoni- that active steps are necessary in many zation with the EU and the legislation fi elds. related to agricultural land management. “I do not want to limit myself to focusing Regarding the frequent governmental only on certain sectors. Georgia's economy reshuffl es in Georgia, he said that the is very diversifi ed, which means that we EBRD is not a political organization to have to be active in many areas,” he said. assess this, but noted that in general, The First Vice-President of the EBRD, frequent shifts in governments bring a who paid his fi rst offi cial visit to Georgia number of challenges and uncertainties. in late September, said the EBRD is He noted, however, that the govern- increasingly getting involved in the mental changes in recent years have not energy and renewable energy sectors. created any real problems for the Geor- “We believe the SMEs sector, as in gian economy. every other country, is the backbone of “If you look at the macroeconomic the economy. However, for us, as a very indicators, GDP growth, infl ation, fi scal large bank that has one offi ce in Georgia defi cit - all these areas are quite stable,” with only 35 employees, it is very diffi - Rigterink said. cult to directly access all businesses in “The EBRD is not a political organiza- this sector. So we do this together with tion. We want to work with all govern- our partners - commercial banks that ments. We do not do it for the govern- Image source: kmu.gov.ua are our funding intermediaries,” he ments but for the Georgian people,” he explained. - any practical issues,” he told Analitika. statements but advised the government topic of the pace of regulations was also stressed. He said Georgian businesses need not Regarding the business climate in the to work fi rst and foremost to give inves- on the agenda. One of the EBRD’s key aims is to sup- only fi nancial but also consulting sup- country, Rigterink said he has heard from tors the expectation and confi dence to “On the initiative of the EBRD, there port the development of micro, small port. many businesses and other sources that operate in a sustainable investment envi- is a Board of Investors in the country. and medium-sized enterprises which "We also have an advisory service there is some volatility in the country's ronment. The Prime Minister praised the council are crucial to nurturing a private sector where we have already assisted 3,000 economy and there is a danger that the On his meeting with the new Prime as a very valuable tool and promised to economy. It has already allocated invest- representatives in this sector - tips include business climate will stop improving. Minister of Georgia, Giorgi Gakharia, listen to businesses more,” he said. ments worth $3.4 billion in total in Geor- IT issues, risk management, web hosting He held back from assessing these the EBRD First Vice-President said the He noted that the Board of Investors gia in 235 projects. GEORGIA TODAY OCTOBER 8 - 10, 2019 BUSINESS 7 Azerbaijan Tourism Board Opens ‘Azerbaijan. Travel’ Visitor Center in Tbilisi

implemented many important events and projects BY ANA DUMBADZE together in the international arena. There is a huge potential for tourism development in both countries and we can attract even more visitors through he Azerbaijan Tourism Board (ATB), the concept of combined tours, which is becoming the national body that supports Azer- quite popular nowadays. The fact that Azerbaijan baijan’s growing tourism industry, opened a visitor center in Tbilisi will help our opened the ‘Azerbaijan. Travel’ visitor citizens to discover the history and culture of Azer- center in the heart of Tbilisi, on cen- baijan and at the same time will contribute to deep- Ttral Rustaveli Avenue, on October 6. ening relations and cooperation between the two The opening brought together key travel industry countries.” leaders and media representatives to build valuable “We have enjoyed close ties between our two connections between the two countries. countries and the opening of ‘Azerbaijan. Travel’ The center is a unique concept as it gives people underpins our commitment to Georgia and its an opportunity to learn about the diverse experi- residents,” noted Florian Sengstschmid, CEO of ences that Azerbaijan has to offer. With displays the Azerbaijan Tourism Board. “Azerbaijan is the and information, it will also house a travel agency ideal destination for numerous reasons. With excel- which can provide details on tours and trips and lent connectivity and a wide variety of experiences, even take bookings. Baku is an affl uent city with modern infrastructure. “Our countries are united by the values that bring The Azerbaijani people are excited to share their good neighbors and close friends together,” said culture, cuisine and country with visitors from Fuad Naghiyev, Chairman of the State Tourism Georgia.” Agency of Azerbaijan. “This morning we had a Georgia makes up 22% of Azerbaijan’s current meeting with Mariam Kvrivishvili, the Head of the in-bound travelers and, with a direct fl ight from Georgian National Tourism Administration. Dur- Tbilisi, improved direct railroad and land routes ing the meeting we discussed a wide range of issues, as well as a visa-free regime for Georgian passport including, for example, the need to develop joint holders, this is expected to increase in 2020. Azer- regional tours that cover Georgia and Azerbaijan. baijan expects to rise through the ranks of countries [see GT page 5] The ‘Azerbaijan. Travel’ visitor with a high tourism contribution to its national center was a natural progression as we grow our GDP, forecast to be at 6% per annum over the relationship and visitor numbers rise.” course of the next 10 years ranking it amongst the “We would like to warmly welcome the Azerbai- world’s top 20 high potential countries. jan Travel Board,” said Mariam Kvrivishvili, the This follows the launch of ATB’s marketing cam- Head of the Georgian National Tourism Adminis- paign “Take another look” which encourages trave- tration. “Georgia has a very lasting, historic and lers to discover Azerbaijan’s hidden gems and aims close friendly relationship with Azerbaijan. We’ve to double current in-bound tourism by 2023. Georgian Dream Offi cial Accused of Sexual Harassment by Employee

BY ANA DUMBADZE

lia Jishkariani, MP of the Tbilisi City Assem- bly and offi cial of the ruling Georgian Dream party, was accused of sexual harassment and physical abuse by his assistant, Tamta Todadze, who claims that he beat her after she refused Ito engage in sexual activity with him. She claims the incident was not properly investigated by law enforcement agencies, the majority MP was not questioned in time and was summoned for ques- tioning only after the public directly demanded he be charged. scheduled for 7 pm Monday as a show of solidarity “If he was not a government offi cial, he would for the victim. Even so, some members of society, already have been arrested,” Todadze told media. women among them, have taken to social media The MP denies the rape attempt and accused the to insult the woman and accuse her of leading former aide of trying to blackmail him. Jishkariani on or outright lying about the incident. Jishkariani's assistant still has evidence of vio- A fellow GD MP even called her a "prostitute". lence on her body, in bruises, a fact which has been The Ministry of Internal Affairs says that the confi rmed by the LEPL Levan Samkharauli National investigation is underway and all the relevant pro- Forensics Bureau. cedures are being conducted to establish the truth. However, the Prosecutor's Offi ce of Georgia has “An investigation is underway to establish the not yet granted her victim status, nor has Ilia Jishka- objective truth regarding the mentioned case. The rian been offi cially charged. crime scene was examined, witnesses were inter- The above resulted in outrage in society and a viewed and expertise was scheduled,” the MIA public meeting outside the Prosecutor's Offi ce was stated. GEORGIA TODAY 8 BUSINESS OCTOBER 8 - 10, 2019 Price, Camera Capabilities, Durability & Fast Charging - HUAWEI Knows Exactly What Customers Want

of the built-in and auto-rotating camera for views, and the 2MP sensor works in TRANSLATED BY MARIAM in this body, screen space was saved, as coordination with the main camera and MERABISHVILI we no longer have a front-facing camera allows you to shoot SLR quality photos. and therefore the screen is larger and of The screen of the P Smart Z is distin- course offers a wider image.” guished by the fact that it has no frame ales of the P Smart Z series Japaridze adds that the AI camera sys- and slider to create a full screen. By smartphones at HUAWEI's tem, in this price category, really is one relocating the front camera, earpiece, partner stores in Georgia began of the most attractive factors for custom- and light sensor, the HUAWEI created three months ago. The new ers who are less confi dent shooting a sleek 19.5:9 screen aspect ratio. With a model, with its unique combi- details in a photo as a professional would. 2340 x 1080 Full HD display and a pixel Snation of progressive technology, revo- Al, offering assistance by itself adjusting density of 391 PPI the HUAWEI screen lutionary aesthetic design and affordable the colors, lighting, identifying the object appears to work like a magnifying glass, price, has proven a hit with Georgian and determining the way to capture the accurately capturing all the details while consumers. best result. the rich color palette creates a vibrant, "Technology of the Future in a Budget “Smartphones are a device we con- blazing, visual effect with bold textures Smartphone" was the assessment made stantly need, much more so for the and sharp features. globally and on the Georgian market, younger generation- it has become an In the end, the HUAWEI P smart Z is and it is not unfounded: this is a smart- integral part of their lives. All our con- the best choice for users needing all phone which allows customers to keep tacts, information, games, apps, etc. are those important features at the same up with the times and share in future there. Consequently, a dead phone is a time as affordability. technology. The HUAWEI P Smart Z is big pain, and that is why the HUAWEI designed primarily for students and P smart Z is the best choice for the HUAWEI products and services are young professionals, that is, for consum- younger generation that needs a durable available in more than 170 countries and ers who want to enjoy future technolo- model of HUAWEI's budget P Smart features of camera, battery and proces- smartphone,” the HUAWEI Georgia rep- are used by a third of the world's popu- gies, but periodically have to manage series, with a ditch-free screen and pop- sor. "When it comes to the P smart Z's resentative states. lation. There are 16 research and devel- their own small business and spend a up camera only found in fl agships. With features, of course, we have to consider The HUAWEI P smart Z comes equipped opment centers operating worldwide in great deal of time on learning and edu- AI, the HUAWEI P smart Z can detect it in terms of the appropriate price cat- with AI and the Kirin 710F, ensuring the USA, Germany, Sweden, Russia, India cation. more than 500 scenes, analyzing and egory,” says Tinatin Japaridze, repre- smooth handling of all necessary tasks. and China. HUAWEI Consumer BG is Why do Georgian consumers choose optimizing scenes and guaranteeing your sentative of HUAWEI's Marketing What's more, with its camera lens pro- one of HUAWEI's three business units, HUAWEI smartphones? Because the photos will always be clear and precise Department. “At the price it costs today, vides crystal-clear imaging, with the mainly focusing on Smartphones, per- company always offers the best equip- - these are the benefi ts that make Geor- the P smart Z is defi nitely the best choice. perfect perception of details, and light- sonal computers, tablets and cloud ser- ment in the market, knowing exactly gian consumers’ choice easier. And what makes it stand out is the all- ing adjustment technology. vices. HUAWEI Global Network is based what customers want and putting their As the HUAWEI Georgia offi ce explains, new pop-up innovative Selfi e camera, The P Smart Z is equipped with a 16MP on 20 years’ experience in the telecom- interests at fi rst place, camera capabili- due to its features the HUAWEI P smart which as soon as you turn on the Selfi e + 8 MP + 2MP triple camera system. The munications business and serves to pro- ties, durability and fast charging. Z is designed for younger users and is mode, automatically emerges from the 8 MP camera is capable of shooting at a vide innovative technologies to custom- The HUAWEI P Smart Z is the latest preferable both in design and technical phone body in seconds. At the expense 120-degree width which is very handy ers around the world.

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[email protected] +995 555 659 933 GEORGIA TODAY OCTOBER 8 - 10, 2019 POLITICS 9 Rose Gottemoeller on Georgia Keeping Its Eye on the NATO Prize

been urging Georgia to think about our needs, and I think it’s a big something, INTERVIEW BY VAZHA TAVBERIDZE WOULD IT BE WISHFUL NATO Engagers event, an event that is a sea change, which is very important THINKING TO HOPE THIS will take place during the London sum- for Georgia. Some of the threats com- WILL TRANSLATE INTO mit - a public event that will allow ing at us every day, like the cyber threats, SOME SORT OF TECHNICAL hat to expect from Georgia to really speak about how far hybrid threats, are something that sadly DEFENSIVE CAPACITY? the fast-approaching it has come on the path of Euro-Atlan- Georgia has a great deal of experience It is important to always focus on deter- London Summit, tic integration and to really make a with. This is another direction of the rence and defense, and that means hav- Georgia needs to how NATO is to strong public case. But I do want to potential symbiotic relationship we can ing the capability, capacity and training assist Georgia in stress for your audience that it is not a continue, seeing NATO helping Georgia to deter any possible aggressor. This is develop enhancingW Black Sea security and why summit meeting, so there won't be any to address these threats and it helping something that every country works on the higher-ups at Brussels not so keen partners present there at all. That said, us to understand them. every day: enhancing their deterrence consensus among on the so-called “Rasmussen formula”, we've had a lot of success with the sub- and defense capacity, and Georgia is no according to which Georgia could stantial NATO-Georgia package and REGARDING BLACK SEA different in that regard. NATO members become a member of the Alliance with- now I think we're at a place where SECURITY, GEORGIA IS A out Article 5, that of collective defense Georgia is moving from being in a kind COUNTRY THAT CANNOT WHAT IMPORTANCE about embracing and security, covering the occupied of mentorship relationship with NATO, BOAST OF ANY SUBSTANTIAL COULD THE ANAKLIA DEEP territories temporarily. All these ques- where NATO is the mentor and Georgia FLEET. HOW IMPORTANT A SEA PORT PLAY FROM it as a full member tions GEORGIA TODAY and the Geor- is paying attention, to a more equal ROLE CAN IT FEASIBLY PLAY? NATO’S PERSPECTIVE? gian Institute for Security Policy (GiSP) partnership where Georgia has actually I'm a great admirer of the Coast Guard, I have been hearing quite a bit about of NATO posed to the NATO Deputy Secretary been providing increasing security in the US Coast Guard, any Coast Guard, the Anaklia Port since I've been here, General, Rose Gottemoller, during the the NATO context for many years; you've because they are right at the center of and I had read about it in the press. I'll ship and that means continuing to work recent visit of the North Atlantic Coun- already been a very strong supporter border security from the sea side, from say that NATO is interested in ensuring on your reform processes, political cil to Batumi. of our resolute support mission in the ocean side, for their nations. What economic health for the countries in reforms, reforms in the defense estab- Afghanistan and the ISAF mission before the Georgian Coast Guard is doing is the region; it makes for better security lishment and continuing to work with WHAT CAN GEORGIA EXPECT that. Georgia has been a really strong extraordinarily important. Obviously, if a country is enjoying economic ben- NATO allies. We believe it's important FROM THE LONDON SUMMIT? partner in so many ways and now I think you are a Black Sea littoral state, so it's efi ts from trade and economic relation- to keep your eye on what will help you IT SEEMS UNLIKELY IT WILL we need to focus on building up that most important to protect your shores ships to the degree which a new port move toward NATO membership. RECEIVE THAT CHERISHED partnership and really looking at what from the security challenges that can here in Georgia will help create. I think MAP AND THERE’S ALREADY you need for your security and then come at you, whether they're from a it will be good for Georgia's economic IF WE WERE TO SAY ‘YES A ‘SUBSTANTIAL PACKAGE.’ how we can interact in a way to provide country such as Russia promulgating health and in the end your security and WE WANT [RASMUSSEN’S Well, let me stress that the London it. or whether you have another problem stability. OPTION],’ WOULD NATO meeting is not a summit meeting, so to deal with such as illegal smuggling. BE EAGER TO DISCUSS IT? there won't be any partners there. I've IS THERE ALREADY AN It's very important that your borders WHAT DID YOU THINK OF Well let me put it this way, I think it's UNDERSTANDING OF be defended and the Coast Guard pro- FORMER SECRETARY GENERAL up to you to discuss and debate any WHAT’S NEEDED? vides for that. RASMUSSEN’S RENOWNED matter and of course you know we're We are here in Batumi to visit Georgia’s STATEMENT? IS IT A FEASIBLE willing to listen to your conclusions, Coast Guard vessels and the crews who AND THAT NATO INVEST SCENARIO? HAS THERE but the important thing for Georgia over have been trained with NATO help. I MORE EFFORTS IN BEEN ANY DISCUSSION time is to develop consensus among see recognition that Black Sea security BUILDING RESILIENCE. ABOUT IT IN NATO? NATO members about embracing Geor- is going to be an important priority area Not only in building resilience, though There has not been any discussion in gia as a full member of NATO; so what to move forward on and there are other that is certainly part of it, but also in NATO about it, and one message I'd you need to do is focus on building up What NATO areas that we can continue on the path, building capacity; in making sure you like to stress is in terms of discussion Georgia's capability and capacity for the Joint Training and Evaluation Center have the maritime situational awareness and debate among any NATO allied deterrence and defense and on being a needs is a big (JTEC) being a great example of some- capability and making sure there's a member country or among our partners: security provider; to me that is the prize thing NATO was very happy with this constantly good fl ow of information. it's really up to you what you want to you need to keep your eye on. sea change, year when the NATO Georgia exercise One of the things we're doing is work- discuss but I think from our perspective took place in March. Georgia is really ing on better sharing of information, we really want to focus with our allies something which pulling its own weight now and so we including intelligence sharing. All of on Georgia being an aspiring NATO want to continue to work with you on these things will be important when member; to focus on what needs to be is very important more and more sophisticated exercise continuing to develop Georgia's capac- done keep our eye on the prize. That's activities and really be able to use the ity and are mutually benefi cial and good why we want to focus on what Georgia for Georgia JTEC to its full potential. What NATO for NATO as well. needs to do to acquire NATO member- GEORGIA TODAY 10 SOCIETY OCTOBER 8 - 10, 2019 Dato Turashvili: Freedom Factory Will Help to Create a Free Society

country with a centuries-old wine his- notion that the more one tries to feel, to tory, will soon have a wine museum. understand its essence, the more it is “Tbilisi, our capital, cradle of wine, eluded. Freedom doesn't close anything, with hundreds of millennia of history, it doesn't start anything, it doesn't end unfortunately does not have a wine or anything. Freedom is also that a person vine museum. The Wine Museum is an is born, freedom is that he/she dies ... important project we are working on 'Freedom Factory' is for this and for today,” said Kakulia. those who aspire to it - to be free,” said an education in the 19th century and “We got back independence but freedom Goga Kalandadze, one of the owners writer Besik Kharanauli at the launch. BY MARIAM DIASAMIDZE created 20th century Georgia, was funded was much more diffi cult. There Is No of Wine Factory #1, together with his The Freedom Factory Initiative Group by David. The only one he didn’t fund Freedom Where There Is No Justice. partner Zaza Dudauri, presented to the invites all free and libertarian people for was Vano Sarajishvili, only because his Until we have an independent court, the public the place where the wine museum whom the fi ght for civil liberties are n initiative group presented surname was Sarajishvili. He didn't want court cannot be fair. This is out of the will be located. essential and who agree with and share the idea and platform ‘Free- anyone to think it was nepotism. David's question." “I have opened the fi rst ideas of a wine the content of these principles. Anyone dom Factory,’ where organ- name is related to the house at Macha- There will be a lecture room at the museum with my partner Zaza Dudauri. who has interesting and creative ideas, izers discussed several beli. We are accustomed to the fact that Freedom Factory where a person can Wine is Georgia’s favorite and most works or inventions and wants to receive important projects and the Writers Union was there for 70 years, come and leave freer than they were beloved product; something which has knowledge or share their experiences Anoted that the "distribution" of the idea even before the Writers' Union was before. “Of course, not all educated peo- preserved our identity,” he said. with others is invited to realize them- of freedom would begin by the end of established in 1917, but functionally later ple are free. Education is the key to being “Freedom is the foremost thing that a selves in a free environment, anyone the year. became a Soviet structure. In fact, David freer than we are," the writer noted. person has, which can either be taken who can put at least one brick in the In a word, a space will be created in Sarajishvili's dream was to create a space The Freedom Factory will contribute away or granted. Freedom is an infi nite building of freedom. Tbilisi, on the territory of Wine Factory not only for writers but for all artists. to the creation of a free society, for which #1 on Petriashvili Street, that will be a There is already a tradition at the Writ- three key principles will be uniquely completely new and innovative, cultural ers' House, a place associated with lit- important: judicial independence, free platform for new discoveries, creators erature, writers and poets. So the idea and democratic elections, and a tradition and interesting people, adventurers and of setting up a ‘Freedom Factory’ is really of ownership. those who love learning, leisure and very good. It will be a space where not "Unfortunately, we haven't been free entertainment.. only writers and poets visit, but also for so many centuries, we have been "Freedom Factory is for those for whom everybody for whom freedom is a prior- conquered for so long that the most freedom matters,” writer Dato Turashvili ity. Any representative of any fi eld, any important fundamental has been eluded noted at the presentation. artist will be welcome here!” and we were starting out. I want our “I like the idea of the Freedom Factory,” At the presentation, Turashvili recalled Freedom Factory to be the greatest source he said. “Sandro Kakulia came up with many fragments of Georgian history and of free society that will not allow what it. The Freedom Factory, like all factories spoke about the importance of freedom. has been repeated many times. We passed on earth, must create; produce some- As he says, "There Is No Freedom Where the fate of our country on to others, thing. The clever function of the Free- There Is No Justice" assuming they would take care of it. And dom Factory will be to create free Men. "Unfortunately, it happened that for it didn't turn out so well,” Turashvili This will be an open society, absolutely objective or subjective reasons, we could said. free. In itself, the words Freedom Fac- not create such a free society," Turashvili The presentation also revealed that tory makes this space exist in this prin- said, adding that although the country Tbilisi will soon be adding a wine ciple. David Sarajishvili was the greatest regained its independence it was much museum. Sandro Kakulia, co-founder of Maecenas. Almost everyone who received more diffi cult to return the freedom. Freedom Factory, said that Georgia, a Bocuse d’Or Georgia: Countdown to the National Audition for the Largest Gastronomic Championship assessed by a jury made up of Geor- Bocuse d’Or Georgia is organized by TRANSLATED BY KETEVAN gian and foreign chefs. the consulting agency Gastronaut. The KVARATSKHELIYA The winners of the national compe- project is presented by the Gastronomic tition will travel to Tallinn, Estonia, Association of Georgia and supported to Bocuse d’Or Europe. If they are by the Georgian Culinary Federation n November 2-3, 2019, successful, Georgia will participate in and the Ministry of Environment Pro- the 11th pavilion of the the Bocuse d’Or Grand Finale in 2021, tection and Agriculture of Georgia. Expo Georgia Conven- in France, where fi nalists from 24 In 2019, Georgia participated in the tion Center is to host countries will strive to win the high- world-renowned culinary exhibition the National Audition est award –the Bocuse d’Or. Sihra (within which Bocuse d’Or was ofO the largest gastronomic champion- Georgia’s participation in the Bocuse launched) for the fi rst time. The Geor- ship Bocuse d’Or for the fi rst time. d’Or culinary competition represents gian cuisine received a positive eval- Eight out of 100 applicants are to be a unique opportunity for the country uation, which then led to the country’s selected within the scope of Bocuse to introduce and promote itself as well being invited to take part in the Bocuse d’Or Georgia, whose dishes will be as its rich gastronomic culture. d’Or championship. GEORGIA TODAY OCTOBER 8 - 10, 2019 CULTURE 11 IERI – A Unique Concept Store in Tbilisi

BY NINI DAKHUNDARIDZE

he capital city of Georgia is fast becoming a must- visit city on the lists of international travelers, grabbing attention with its Tharmonic combination of historical roots and contemporary revolution. Along with the booming popularity, Tbilisi is acquiring more and more concepts. And with Georgian designers now well-placed as icons of the global fashion scene, fashion in Tbilisi is becoming one of its most recognisable images. Right in the heart of Wine District in the Tbilisi Vera district, new multifunc- tional concept store IERI has opened. Creativity with a Georgian core is seen even in the location of the store; its site being the fi rst fl oor of a historic winery (Wine Factory N1). The name of the store is a concept itself - it doesn’t have a literal meaning in English as it is one of those complex Georgian words: IERI means look, appearance, image, outfi t and attitude. And it’s a brand new concept for Tbilisi, being a store, a gallery, a coffee-spot, a wine-bar, a place to meet and a place to be. With just a glance at the interior design of the place or the collection IERI has to offer, it is evident that the founders and managers are professionals. Anka Tsit- sishvili, well-known fashion expert, is a creative director and a buyer for IERI. Sofi a Guguberidze, an international expert in luxury business management, is the Image Source: IERI Concept Store project director. The design of IERI was Keburia, Idée Fixe, Ingorokva, Lalo, Le antique carpets. David Koma, Tata Naka the next few weeks, we are going to open gian brands in one unique space. It's made in cooperation with Georgian stu- Chic Radical, Le Mocassin Zippe, Liya, and other big names joined in the Fall- an online store that will offer world-wide more of an “inspiration spot” than just dio ‘Objects,’ under the ownership of Keti Materiel, Moods Collection, Ria Keburia, Winter 2019/20 season. shipping,” they said. They also reported a concept store, since most of the pieces Asatiani and Nuka Korinteli. Situationist, Sofi o Gongli, Tatuna, Tiko GEORGIA TODAY talked to the rep- they will play a big role in the upcoming are exclusively presented there. The IERI The IERI concept store presents 25 Paksa, and Tushuri. The Georgian ele- resentatives of the IERI concept store, Mercedes Benz Tbilisi Fashion Week. team is currently in talks with other designers who are originally from Geor- ment of the store is strengthened by the who told us that the collections presented IERI’s main aim is to change the ste- iconic Georgian and Georgia-inspired gia or who have found their inspiration handmade collection from the Samoseli will change with the season. They also reotypical perception of the country and fashion designers, and so is promising here: 0711, Atare Anbani, Babukhadia, Pirveli Atelier, which produces Georgian revealed their plan to expand both in to develop the fashion retail industry. Tbilisi yet more concepts of Georgian Crosty, Eshvi, George Bezani, George traditional clothing, and a collection of real-life and on electronic platforms: “In IERI is the fi rst store to gather all Geor- fashion scenes within its walls. In your Face, part II: Becho, Svaneti At one point I startled a huge golden few steps up and put my hand on the BY TONY HANMER eagle only about 10 m away from me, signpost for a fi nal shot. Then, a long and it magnifi cently took wing and was scramble back down, other leg muscles gone. With my widest-angle lens on the now protesting, to the car and pond, ast month, I found myself camera at the time, it would have been either of which I could obliterate with photographing Mt Ushba very small in the frame anyway. But the my pinky fi ngernail from the distance. I refl ected in a small pond above images remain in my memory to treas- had my shots, over 160 of them, and was Mazeri, part of Becho. But I ure. delirious with joy. could get closer, so I began Finally, I reached a point where a whole I also suggested to Gigla and Marta, Lwalking up. other side of Ushba’s surroundings was my local hosts, that they make this trip There were plenty of thistles, as well revealed, along with its main glacier now a special offer to their guests for a day. as the last remnants of mountain wild- at about eye level, the drops precipitous. Drive up before or after breakfast, and fl owers, but this being mid-September, Here, the swivel of my feet while getting have 1 or 2 meals up there along with autumn colors were just beginning to my 360s was precarious, and I did it the walk. It’s a unique opportunity to get turn the local palette redder and yel- slowly so as not to end up falling thou- so close to one of the world’s most beau- lower. The way was not hard, but at this sands of feet! tiful peaks, safely and without too much altitude, my legs certainly protested at Up ahead I could see a signpost, put effort. the climb. However, Becho kindly there somehow by my friend Richard Next on my list: paragliding around remained in sight, clouds building but Baerug, who runs his own hotel at the Ushba at some point! (IF I can take a far from obscuring it yet, and this called top of Mazeri, https://www.grandhote- camera; otherwise likely not.) me on. lushba.com/ and does a lot for the local Everywhere I walked, there was evi- community’s tourism and development. Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since dence that cows had been there too; they and smaller, by the ferocious action of of vertical photos overlapping to make Later, he wrote to me that this sign is at 1999, in Svaneti since 2007, and been a seem to prefer the higher mountain grass water and ice breaking it apart over each a full stitched 360-degree panorama for about 3100 m, twice the height of our weekly writer for GT since early 2011. He enough to make the effort to reach it. winter. Soon I was scrambling up scree, later. There were enough clouds in the own guest house. Another 1600 m or so runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” Facebook But the vegetation waned with the height, which at least had the advantage of being far off landscape to make it much more would see you at the twin summits of group, now with nearly 2000 members, at and rock took over. made of fl at pieces rather than more interesting than a simple blue sky: always Ushba… if you survived. But I was 2/3 www.facebook.com/groups/SvanetiRenais- Both small outcrops of lumpy rocks slippery round ones due to its composi- a bonus for the landscape photographer. of the way there. Far enough! sance/ and the prevalent, thin-layered slate were tion. Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” played The Mountain had cooperated glori- He and his wife also run their own guest house everywhere. The latter gets pummeled Every now and then I stopped to catch over and over as my inner inspirational ously, but only just; starting to wrap itself in Etseri: and broken thinner and thinner, smaller my breath, and several times I took a set soundtrack. up with clouds just as I strained the last www.facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti

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