WHAT IS THE MISTERY OF “GEORGIAN TIMES” AND “GORBI”

By Rusiko Ushikishvili

Business rating for the best businessmen and company has been performed by the “Georgian Times” media for seven years already.

Association for the public opinion and “GORBI” market research makes research of business rating. In accordance with years, the list of winning companies looks as follows:
1995 ? TBC group ? Mamuka Kharadze;
1996 ? Coca Cola Bottles Georgia ? Temur Ckhonia
1997 ? Kazbegi ? Gogi Topadze
1998 ? Kazbegi Kastel ? Gogi Topadze
1999 ? GWS ? Levan Gachichiladze
2000 ? Samgori 94 ? Autandil Tsereteli
Selection of companies was based on the information about companies provided by the Tax Department of Georgia. Selection criteria are as follows: Budget contributions of private companies must total more than 500 thousand laris and those of public ones ? more than million laris.
The research was made by appropriate experts that receive a list of private and public companies from the “GORBI” association. Experts the total number of whom is 40, choose 11 private and 11 public companies. As a rule, the best private and public companies are selected. Expers assess companies in accordance with 12 criteria:
1. Budget contributions
2. Defense of entrepreneurs’ interests;
3. Public image
4. Effective management
5. Charity
6. Efficiency of promotion;
7. New technologies;
8. New workplaces;
9. Stability of company’s business;
10. Expansion of company, success;
11. Recognition abroad;
12. Relations with society.
In the last stage of research the best private and public company (businessman) will be chosen. The best public and private companies will also be awarded in different nominations.
At first the ceremony was to take place in the end of May, but later a decision was made to hold it in Saradjishvili complex on 13 June. Businessmen will be conferred circulating orders and companies will be awarded with halves of golden star.
In the ceremony of the month’s company the best businesses will be selected. Representatives of the Parliament, Georgian Government, Intelligentsia and accredited representatives of foreign foundations and missions, business men from private and public sectors, local and foreign mass media will be present at the ceremony.
In this stage there is a list of the 22 companies that will take part in the final stage of the rating. The following companies will compete for gaining the title of the best company of 2001.
1. “Magticom” ? George Jokhtaberidze;
2. ?Georgian Glass andMineral Waters”- Mamuka Khazaradze;
3. “Geocell” ? Akhmed Taniu;
4. “TBC” bank ? Vakhtang butskhrikidze;
5. “Samgori 94″ ? Autandil Tsereteli;
6. JSC ?Kazbegi” ? Zurab Kostava;
7. ?Macdonalds”ltd ? Temur Chkonia;
8. “GBS” ? George Mshvidobadze;
9. “Coca Cola Bottlers Georgia”;
10 “Georgian Bank” ? Vladimir Pateishvili;
11. ” Telasi” ? Ignasio Iribare.
The best 11 public companies:
1. Georgian railway ? Akaki Chkhaidze;
2. International Corporation of Georgian Oil ? George Chanturia;
3. JSC “Tbilaviamshen” ? Pontiko Tordia;
4. JSC “Madneuli” ? Zurab Lobjanidze;
5. Poti Port ? Jemal Imnaishvili;
6. TV radio company of Georgia ? Zaza Shengelia;
7. Telecom Georgia ? Guram Khmaladze;
8. National Oil Company “Saknavtobi” ? George Makharadze;
9. Gruzaeronavigation ? Zurab Chankotadze;
10. Sea Port of Batumi- Jemal Ninidze;
11. Georgian electro communication ? Temur Berishvili.
As for the idea of business rating, we interview one of organizers of business rating, president of media holding “Georgian Times” Malkhaz Gulashvili.
Malkhaz Gulashvili: “There are not favourable conditions for business in Georgia. That is why many businessmen enter into politics as there are not any conditions for the normal functioning of business.
The priority of country should be aimed at turning business into its own image. Developed countries have this approach to the question. If the same situation was in Georgia, then the society would make businessmen spend some part of their funds on social needs.
After coming to power Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, took the first step in order to make it possible for the economy to “give a sigh of relief”. Since that time a period of economic upturn has begun in Russia. The same should happen in Georgia. Georgian citizens have accounts in Swiss banks. Yet there is a way of attracting these funds back to Georgia and turn it into a bank country.
The aim of our business rating is to show businessmen the necessity of such criteria. These very criteria should underlie fiscal policy of state. The Georgian Government is not able to define a strategy for the development of country’s economy. It is necessary to determine priorities in order to achieve these goals. Our business rating serves this very ideology.
Unfortunately, this rating is not paid due attention in Georgia yet. True, Government representatives agree to attend ceremonies and assess rating, but it is not reflected in reality. Many businessmen are so oppressed by many control agencies that, as mentioned above, they are compelled to become politicians. They will be able to defend their business in this way only.
We do not want the rating to result in awards only. The idea of rating should underlie the ideology of Georgian policy. With this purpose economic and political brains of the country should make an analysis of the country’s situation and define appropriate priorities for the economic promotion of the country.