Business Chamber of Asian & Gulf Countries recently introduced to the public the set goals, ambitious plans, and the important accents that are actual in the economic and socio-cultural life of Georgia. Business Chamber, during its existence already managed to achieve some results and planning and implementation of such measures, which will significantly contribute to the development of the Georgian economy in the near future.
The Business Chamber is an organization with a strong structure, which unites large-scale representation, significant opportunities, and, most importantly, ongoing strategic projects. As the First Vice President of the Business Chamber of Asian & Gulf Countries, David Tsirdava notes not only business but also social and cultural directions are important for them.
It is interesting how the Business Chamber of Asian & Gulf Countries unites 46 countries and how the organization plans to unite both the private and public sectors around a better perspective. We offer an interview with David Tsirdava.
–What can you tell us about the functions and duties of the 46 countries and honorary consuls under the Business Chamber and how active are they in connection with the Business Chamber?
– One of our missions is to strengthen representations in all 46 member countries of the Business Chamber and to maintain direct communication channels between business entities and governmental and non-governmental agencies. The Honorary Consul of the Business Chamber is already represented in 13 of the mentioned 46 countries. The function of the consuls is to connect the local governmental or private sectors with us. In this regard, I would like to mention our visit to Jordan a few days ago, within the framework of which, some innovations have been implemented. At the same time, I would also highlight Kuwait, with which, through our honorary consuls, the implementation of economic and cultural events becomes possible.
– As far as I know, you are planning to visit Kuwait in the next few days. If it is possible, can you share with us the details of the mentioned visit, what meetings are scheduled and what goals they serve?
-As it was mentioned, in order to maintain direct communication channels between governmental and non-governmental agencies of different countries, establishing new connections means new opportunities for our organization. We are expanding our existing contacts more and more in this direction. This meeting, in fact, is a preparation for celebrating 30 years of diplomatic relations between Georgia and Kuwait. By December, the Georgia-Kuwait Economic Forum and cultural events are being organized, thanks to which it will be possible to present the culture of Kuwait in Georgia, and to present the culture of Georgia in Kuwait. This will make it possible, in the future, for not only representatives of the business sector, but also people working in the field of art and culture to communicate with each other more.
– Specifically, what current projects can you focus on both in the economic and cultural-social direction?
– Promotion of Asian & Gulf countries and deepening of close cultural-educational relations based on tolerance is one of the most important for our organization. Accordingly, we have defined in our strategic priorities establishing close cooperation between countries through the implementation of sociocultural measures.
The organization has developed a project called “Educated Young People for Successful Business”. The project aims to promote peace, youth education, and sustainable development in Georgia by supporting conflict-affected communities. The purpose of the Business Chamber is to initiate and stimulate the development of business skills and social entrepreneurship among young people affected by the conflict. The target group of the project is ethnically Georgian, Abkhazian, Ossetian, Azerbaijani, and Armenian young people living in Georgia, who will acquire business skills, study the tourism potential of Georgia and work together with specialists on common business projects. Our goal is for these young people to see each other and show the whole world an example of how one can live in peace and love in one region and carry out economic activities together.
– To what extent does the Business Chamber have state support and does a format of mutual cooperation exist?
– Since the signing of the Association Agreement with the European Union, the focus has been on economic forums, which allow representatives of the business sector to see each other, share their experiences, get to know potential partners and, finally, develop more.
Against the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine war, today Georgia is facing a global challenge. There was an opportunity not only to use our country as a logistics corridor, but also to increase the export market. According to various research, it is established that both the export direction and other economic parameters are improved. The government is actively working to increase the competitiveness of local private sectors. Accordingly, the state cooperates not only with the Business Chamber of Asian & Gulf Countries, but also with other business associations and carries out an open-door policy. The announced economic forum and cultural event in December is the result of close cooperation with state agencies.
