PRESIDENT PUTIN CRITICIZES WTO

Nino Arveladze

More then ten years Russia looks at WTO door with hope and like fairy –tail hero attempts entering the organization taking over obstacles without any sort of compromises.

Georgia supported Russia entering to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2004, but canceled the agreement in 2007 and claimed control permission on Abkhazia and South Ossetia customs exit points. Condition gets harder because put embargo by Russia on exported Georgian wine and mineral waters, what controversies the WTO rules. Following successful negotiations with the White House, Moscow considers entering to the organization optimistically, and does not admitting Georgia and Moldova opposition as a serious hindrance. After two –side memorandum making with U.S; Economy Development Minister of Russia German Greff considered the fact as a final and turning step of integrating to the organization. The Minister is sure that problems with Georgia will be resolved at the first half of 2007. Georgian experts believe this will of Russia is unique chance and tell that Georgian economy boundaries may be that way restored. Well- known fact that the Great Russia is nearest neighbor of Georgia and “cold” relation of Georgia with its north neighbor will bring nothing good for the country. One more step towards relationship improvement was the visit of Russian former Prime –Minister, current President of Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Evgeny Primakov. But Mr. Primakov faced modesty and following the meeting with Prime Minister of Georgia Zurab Noghaideli said, that he is just a representative of Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and not of the government. As he noted, that was useful, friendly and very interesting meeting, “It` s clear, that both sides wish improving the relationship,”—Evgeny Primakov said following the meeting.
The fifth plenary meeting of the heads of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of CIS countries was held at Tbilisi Marriott Hotel, on June 15. The interest and the importance of the meeting background was Russia `s embargo to Georgia. Evgeny Primakov tasted Georgian wine and he supposes established sanctions will be gradually canceled and gave hope Georgian representatives.
Tbilisi hosted a meeting to Evgeny Primakov (President of Russian CCI), Sergey Skripchenko (President of Ukrainian CCI), Boris Porfilev( President of Kyrgyz Republic CCI), Vladimer Bobrov (President of Byelorussian CCI), George Kuku (President of Moldavian CCI), Adil Husenov ( Vice President of Azerbaijan CCI), Sharif Saidov (Chairman of Tajikistan CCI), Erlan Kojasbai (President of Kazakhstan CCI) , Gagik Vardanian (Executive Director of Armenian CCI), Ilmurad Mirzakarimov (Vice President of Uzbekistan CCI) and other chairpersons of the Chambers of CIS countries.
The meeting discussed export oriented small and medium business size enterprise support issues, development of wine industry and wine export, development of cooperation of CIS countries’ Chambers of Commerce and Industry in the sphere of international commercial arbitration and mediatory discussion. Regulation on permanent council’s advisory committee in the sphere of international commerce arbitration has been signed. The Council made several important appealing towards the governments of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Moldova and Georgia regarding exhibitions-fairs, business information, expertise and experts’ certification reporting about, complete right confirmation on Chambers of Commerce and Industries of the counties of certificates delivering and assertion.
The meeting discussed current problems of CCI of Commonwealth of Independent States. Restore of Georgia –Russian economy and Georgian wine export to Russia were among top discussed issues. Speech delivered by Georgian CCI Vice –President, Mr. Shota Makatsaria is hugely important. He talked about Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry importance in the role of Georgian wine export, and noted about international conference “Georgian Wine, Export, Opportunities and Perspectives”, held with the support of Georgian CCI. French, German and Holland authorized experts attended the conference. They gave high estimation to Georgian wine and important advices to the wine –makers, pledging them assistance in the issue of Georgian wine exporting abroad. Georgian CCI tries its best for its Number One production export developing and its competitiveness increasing, what is mostly important.
Georgian wine export included USD 8 million in 2005 and occupied the first place among exported commodity. Russian embargo severally hit on Georgian wine producing and economy, because 75 % of wine was exported to Russia, 10 % to Ukraine, 5% to Kazakhstan and 3 % to Belorussia. Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry could connect potential counties and provide Georgian wine exhibitions in Warsaw, Astana, Riga, Baku, Kiev, Donetsk, Vienna, Beijing, Shanghais and Istanbul. Chamber established more strict criteria on Georgian wine production certificates. Every knows about just one bottle of six exported throughout the world was poured out in Georgia, left others were poured out abroad. So the problem was not wine falsification in our country.
Georgian wine export reduced with 54 % in 2006, what is important loose, especially while comparing with recent 74 % exporting to Russia, and condition will face that just 20 % could be oriented on other markets. Georgian wine supply to the Ukraine increased with 40 %, 106 % to Belorussia, 136 % to Poland, 509 % to Kazakhstan. Georgian wine appeared in China and Japan, supplement increased to England, U.S. Belgium, Switzerland and Italy.
But this does not mean that Georgia will loose interest towards Russian market (if there any country having no interest towards that one market?) as Russian consumer will always express interest towards Georgian wine.
Shota Makatsaria underlined interest of Russia ` s business concerning Georgian wine production and vine- growing, “Kindzmarauli”, “Badagoni” and other Georgian brands are being produced with Russian money, but unfortunately can not tasted in Russia, he said.
The chairman of the Kazakhstan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry Erlan Khosasbey chairman of the Council of CIS commerce chambers. He will replace Chairman of Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Jemal Inaishvili, being elected in Minsk, 2006. Newly elected chairmen emphasized, that CIS counties foreign trade turnover included USD 147 million in 2006