The Best Small and Medium Enterprises Competition
FROM THE REDACTION
One of the major activities of Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is to develop small and medium business and show their activities.
Arranging Small and Medium Enterprise Competition was established in 2004. It became a tradition. The fourth awarding ceremony of the competition was held on February 27 at Shetaron Metechi Palace Hotel.
The ceremony was attended by President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili as well as by representatives of Diplomatic Corps, international organizations, business and government. The competition was announced in the following four nominations: The best small company or individual entrepreneur; The best medium company; The best exporter; The best farmer or agro company;
Outcomes of the competition were summarized and winners in each nomination were shown by a commission organized by Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The commission included well known businessmen, experts, representatives of non-governmental organizations and mass media.
The competition was announced in May 2007 and was completed in February 2008. Special jury showed winners among 700 applicants. Regional Chambers of commerce and industry significantly contributed to the preparation and arrangement of the competition, have gathered and analyzed data of about 500 enterprises and have chosen the best among them.
President Mikheil saakashvili awarded the winner of the nomination – ‘The best small enterprise’. According to President Saakashvili support and promotion of small and medium sized enterprises is of an utmost importance – ‘ For the last three years I’ve met people in Georgia, who try to create their own enterprises and what is most important, they try to employ population’ – president declared.
Jemal Inaishvili, President of Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry awarded the winner of nomination – ‘The best small enterprise’. According to Mr. Inaishvili small and medium enterprises have the leading role in developing country’s economy, therefore encouraging and supporting the sector is the priority for Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Minister of Economic Development of Georgia Eka Sharashidze and the first deputy Minister of Agriculture Mr. Bakur Kvezereli awarded winners of the following nomination: ‘The best farmer or agro company’.
Winners of the Best Small and Medium Enterprises Competition of 2007 are:
The Best small company or an individual enterprise
Winner is – Agro Invest Ltd (Tbilisi)
Nominees are – Mercuri Ltd (Batumi); Individual entrepreneur ‘Koba Lursmanashvili” (Kharagauli region, village Tetritskaro)
Agro Invest Ltd is the subsidized organization of Shali Ltd; the head of the company is Mr. Giorgi Shalibashvili. The main profile of Agro Invest Ltd is covering green-houses with modern universal, tapes; producing green-house constructions, installing watering systems.
For the last three years ‘Agro Invest’ has roofed greenhouses on more than 1200 hectares. The company constantly launches new technologies in the sphere of agriculture.
Future plans of the company are quite interesting It plans to produce vegetable and melon seeds, launch new technologies;
The winner of nomination – ‘The best medium enterprise’ is Georgian aroma products Ltd (Kutaisi).
Nominees were : Ushba Distillery Ltd (Tbilisi); Light Industry Corporation ltd (Tbilisi)
Georgian Aroma Products Ltd was established in 2003 in Kutaisi. Director of the company is Mr. Nugzar Ioseliani. Company profile is producing agricultural food, namely producing, processing, selling and exporting Georgian traditional spices; special attention is paid to high quality laurel production. With this purpose Georgian Aroma Products Ltd purchased 120 hectares of agricultural land to cultivate laurel.
With the support of USAID and Ministry of Agriculture of Georgia the company has participated in number of international exhibitions, namely; Fancy Food in New York, FI Ingredients Europe in London and Ukraina 2007 in Kiev, where the compani has presented laurel samples and gained appreciation.
Georgian Aroma Products Ltd strategy covers laurel oil, purchasing pomegranate for processing and delivering to European and American markets.
The winner of nomination ‘The best exporter’ is Georgia Impex Ltd (Zugdidi)
Nominees were: Vazi + ltd (Tbilisi); ‘Dugladzeebi wine company’ (Tbilisi);
Georgia Impex Ltd was established in 2002 in Zugdidi. The head of the company is Mr. Zakro Kardava. Main profile of the company is processing and exporting nuts. Its export volume increased with eight thousand Gel in 2007 in comparison with the previous year and amounted to GEL 9 million. Average salary has increased to GEL 400.
It’s worth noting that export has totally implemented to EU member states. The company’s goods were purchased by leading confectionery enterprises.
The winner of nomination ‘The best farmer or agro company’ is ‘Mtsketis Sanerge ‘ Ltd (Mtskheta, village Kanda).
Nominees were Keskia Ltd (Zugdidi, village Darcheli); Farmer Avtandil Tsurtsumia (Senaki, village Zemo Chaladidi); Beglar Mikeladze (Khelvachauri, village Adlia).
Agro Company Mtskhetis Sanerge Ltd was established in 1999. It is located in Mtskheta region, village Dzveli Kanda. Head of the company is Mr. Norvuz Babaev. Nursery garden covers 50 hectares of land and has unique wine yang plants: Saferavi, Chinuri, Takveri, Pino, Rkatsiteli, Aleksandrouli, Nujitetuli and many others. The company has Chinuri vineyard on 30 hectares of land. Besides, the company makes decorative green cover for yards and squares. The Turnover of Agro company in 2007 increased in 70% in comparison with the previous year. Average salary of staff amounts to GEL 280
The Competition preparation and arrangement was sponsored by the folowing organisations : USAID SME Support Project, PSP Group Ltd, People’s Bank JSC , Bank Republic JSC. Informational support was provided by Holding Georgian Business Consulting. Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry pays special thanks to each of the above mentioned supporters.