Exhibition Promotes Business Ties with Iran

FROM THE REDACTION

A three-day exhibition of Iranian machinery, equipment and industrial production was staged at “Expo-Georgia” hall in Tbilisi on November 27-29.

The event, organized by the Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) jointly with the Union of Iranian Businessmen, was attended by more than twenty companies from Iran, who presented their goods at the event in order to raise interest not only among the Georgian customers but also among the Georgian industrialists.The event was officially opened on November 27 by Jemal Inaishvili, the Chairman of the GCCI, and Mojtaba Damirchilou, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Georgia, both of whom expressed their deep satisfaction with the event and thanked the other party for the given opportunity. The companies presented at the exhibition included those engaged in designing and manufacturing of various machines and equipment, foodstuffs and dairy products, shoes, tire and rubber goods, cars, wires, hygienic and cosmetic products, road signs, textile products, commercial vehicles, packaging containers, printing equipment, as well as those engaged in investments and tourism. According to Mr. Inaishvili, it is important to stress that machineries and equipment, not industrial production, were in the center of the attention at the exhibition. “It is noteworthy that the exhibited equipment is produced not only purely by Iranian companies, but also by Iranian enterprises under licenses obtained from European companies. Of course, machinery and equipment exhibited here today are rather cheaper than those manufactured by European companies themselves, which is obvious. Iranian equipment can be half as expensive as its European analogues. And this attracts Georgian businessmen and industrialists, especially since Iranian goods meet all applicable quality standards,” Jemal Inaishvili explained.He stated that the Iran solo exhibition was only one of the events scheduled by GCCI for the current year. He also added that this exhibition, a comparatively large one, can be referred to as a summarizing one, as only one month is left till the end of 2007. “The year turned out to be fruitful for us as we have organized not one but many events, exhibitions and business forums both in Georgia and abroad,” stressed Mr. Inaishvili.He said that the Georgian party intends to organize a similar show in Iran, although at this state it is early to speak about any set dates. “Alongside the exhibition we plan to conduct a business forum in Iran,” Jemal Inaishvili expanded.In conclusion, GCCI Chairman noted that this exhibition like many others of this type simply and efficiently promotes business ties between Georgian companies, businessmen and industrialists and their colleagues from abroad, as a significant number of agreements is signed as a result of exhibitions and business forums.As for the Iranian party’s view of the exhibition, in his welcoming speech Ambassador Mojtaba Damirchilou stated that the event provides an idea of only a small part of the opportunities and potential of Iran in industrial sphere. He voiced his hope that the event will raise interest in Georgian businessmen as their Iranian colleagues are interested in the potential of the Georgian market in general.The second and third days of the 7th Iranian exhibition in Tbilisi were also dedicated to a workshop organized for Georgian businessmen and conducted by foreign experts. The workshop focused on discussion of various means that Georgian businessmen are to use in order to successfully enter and operate in the foreign markets, including the Iranian one.The Islamic Republic of Iran is a founding member of UN, NAM, OIC, OPEC and ECO. The country’s national currency is Rial (IQD), which official exchange rate in respect to US dollar made in average IQD 9350 per dollar in 2007. Iran’s GDP grew five percent in 2006 and reached $193.5 billion ($599.2 billion at PPP). The state’s main export commodities are petroleum, natural gas, chemical and petro-chemical products, machineries, home appliances, tools, foodstuffs, fresh and dried fruits and carpets. Among key export partners of Iran are Japan, China, Turkey, South Korea, European countries and CIS member-states.