An opportunity to access European Market – Polish Businessmen Rendezvous in Tbilisi on November 14-17

Emzar Jgerenaia

Euro-integration is an issue of an utmost importance for the Georgian economy.

First of all it covers:
1. Change of an export market geography;
2. Population income growth by means of labor force export;
3. New investments and modernization of techno parks;
4. Direct assistance in building free market economy;
5. Available financial resources;
6. Perfect system of democracy;
Economic mechanism in Europe is complicated itself and Georgia ` s relationship with it can not be defined simply. Let` s take as an example The Generalized System of Preferences, or GSP+ system. Georgia didn’t benefit from the privileges, there are different reasons to it, but the most important one is the lack of knowledge of European standards and packing. Therefore, Georgian business and Georgian goods, including wine, found it quite difficult to access German market. It is necessary to use so called ‘Bridges’ at this stage, the experience of the countries that have gone through the same path we are on today and are nowadays integrated in Europe.
Poland is an interesting example in this regard. The country has totally changed an export geography for the last 3-4 years and turned into the biggest supplier of agricultural and industrial goods in Europe.
18-20% of export grew very year. Besides, Poland successfully assisted leading Asian counties to reach European markets.
The following would benefit the export potential growth of Georgia:
1. Formation of joint industries together with Polish businessmen to enter European market, including wine sphere;
2. Import of Polish production technologies and know–how to Georgia, also investing in different spheres;
3. Supporting Poland,one of the leading and quickly developing countries, to solve certain issues in Georgia. Sharing experiences.
But I believe there is an important problem, despite positive and intensive relationships between Mr. Saakashvili and Mr. Kaczynski.
Georgian businessmen are not aware of business in Poland. Although it may seem surprising, but they have poor knowledge about Georgian business, investment environment and potential. Therefore, Polish business circles together with governmental structures have decided to make first steps. On November 14- 17, the first broad Polish-Georgian business forum and an exhibition of about 50 Polish companies’ production and technology will be arranged.
According to the organizer of the exhibition, Chairman of Polish entrepreneurs union, their aim is to study Georgia’s market, its demands and opportunities directly. To establish business relations, make contacts and to bring business proposals for joint activities.
Various types of facilities: beginning with the equipment for Bars and Restaurants and ending with military techniques will be presented at the exhibition.
Every company, willing to visit Georgia in November has an important experience of operation on European market. They have all reached success in export development. It will be quite important to meet entrepreneurs, who wish to access European market, share their experiences and teach us the rules of game – said the exhibition`s director slawomir majman.
Minister of Economy and Labor, Mr. Piotr Grzegorz Wozniak remarked that, Poland has a whole system of export promotion, that was one of the reasons of dynamic growth. Supporting participation in international exhibitions is worth noting. When an entrepreneur organizes an exhibition in Tbilisi or in some other country and participates in it, he only covers the half of the exhibition expenses. The government has provided 52 million Zlotys to the Ministry of Economy that supports the participation of export business in international exhibitions through its subordinate investment agencies.
I think this approach is quite necessary for the development of Georgian business, the world market doesn’t know us yet. That’s why we should share the experience and support maybe 70 % of Georgian business participation in exhibitions inside Georgia as well as abroad.
The main preconditions for importing our agricultural products to European market is to enforce a law on food safety and quality and introduction of standardization, technical conditions, European system HASSAP.
We put off bringing many articles of this law into action to the future. Although Georgian wine and other products will not be permitted to enter European market. It is clear that brining this law into action is related to high expanses and as Minister of Agriculture Mr. Wojciech Mojzesowicz said, (Minister La` Perl resigned during well- known events. Poland solved the problem and has the same controlling system on food and agricultural products as it is in France and Germany. This guaranteed the success on European market. Now we have free funds to assist Georgia in introducing the system, EU is also interested in agricultural products of Georgia.
We may provide resources from the side of the Georgian government to fund bringing the law completely in action. He said about 30 million might be provided and outlined that quality control and safety of a product in the only way to European market.
Number of companies representing agriculture producing sector will participate in the exhibition. They would like to meet representatives of this business in Georgia and to know more about the creation of joint industry, investment, distribution network.
I believe, the proposal from the Polish side is important for the development of Georgian business. The exhibition will give us a real opportunity to access European market and what is most important – to start abolishing the results of Russian embargo.