Georgia’s Prime Minister, Lado Gurgenidze today presided over the re-opening of ICC Georgia, an event that was well attended by many of the country’s business and political dignitaries.
The country’s Economic Development Minister, Eka Sherashidze, gave a speech on behalf of President Mikhail Saakashvili at the inauguration ceremony, which was attended by 130 at the Tbilisi Marriott. The event was chaired by Fady Asly, President of ICC Georgia, who also delivered a speech at the event.
Also present during the ceremony to cut the cake, decorated with ICC Georgia’s new logo, were Deputy Prime Minister Giorgi Baramidze, Vice Speaker of Parliament Jemal Inaishvili, and ambassadors from the US, EU, Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Georgia, a WTO member and one of the fastest-growing economies in Europe, has made significant strides in modernizing its economy, transforming it from an agricultural base to one based on services with a thriving international transport corridor. Last year, the World Bank rated Georgia ‘number one economic reformer in the world’ when the country leaped ahead to 18th place from 112th in the Bank’s Ease of Doing Business index.
First established in 2002 and re-opened amid the country’s recent economic resurgence, ICC Georgia now plans to support small and medium-sized enterprises, set up an International Court of Arbitration, and promote local business.
“Georgia is in a time of profound progress, but also of certain challenges,” said Fady Asly, who is also President and CEO of Agritechnics Holding. “ICC Georgia is ready to get back to work, both to strengthen our member businesses and to build the country’s economy.”
Also attending the inauguration ceremony were the heads of several business associations: Jemal Inaishvilia, Georgian Chamber of Commerce, Kakha Aslanishvili, Bar Association, Girori Isakadze, Federation of Georgian Businessmen, Zurab Kvartssalia, Banking Association, Devi Kheshinashvili, the Insurance Association, Giorgi Isakadze, Federation of Georgian Businessmen, Archil Bakuradze, the International Association of Business and Parliament, and Gilbert Hie, French Business Council.
Since its inception, ICC Georgia has become the most dynamic and representative business chamber in the country. On its board sits many of Georgia’s most prominent leaders in the business community and other leading business organizations, including the Georgian Chamber of Commerce; the Federation of Georgian Businessmen; the Bankers Association; the Insurance Association; the Bar Association; the International Association of Business and Parliament; and the French Business Council.
