On 15 June 2015, ICC Georgia held a General Assembly at Betsy’s Hotel to elect two members of the Executive Board and a Vice-Chairman/Treasurer. The General Assembly also approved the nomination of Ambassador Zurab Katchkatchishvili as Secretary General of the organization. Five candidates were running for the two vacant seats on the Board. Following the vote, the two elected candidates are: Ms. Nona Mamulashvili, Corporate Affairs Manager at Philip Morris Georgia LLC, and Mr. Osman Chalishkan-Mjavanadze Director of Geonet Expo Ltd. and Secretary General of the International Investors Association of Georgia. The General Assembly elected as well Mr. Nikoloz Mchedlishvili - Vice-President of Petrocas Energy as Vice-Chairman and Treasurer of the organization. The General Assembly addressed the issue of the victims of the recent flood and unanimously decided that members of ICC Georgia will put together their efforts to raise funds for the citizens who suffered from the disaster but also to secure jobs for those of them who are left without resources or income.  “We welcome the newly elected Board Members and are glad to see new blood on our Board, both Nona Mamulashvili and Osman Mjavanadze will bring a great added value to the activities of ICC; I strongly commend the solidarity and sense of responsibility expressed by all ICC members who are mobilizing themselves to raise funds and secure jobs to all those affected by the flood” said Fady Asly Chairman of the Board. ICC Georgia is the largest and most vocal global Business Association in the country; it includes over 350 corporate and youth members and 28 business associations. The International Chamber of Commerce is the largest business organization in the world that includes over 6.5 million businesses and chambers of commerce. ICC consults regularly at the global level with the G8, G20, the World Bank, WTO, WCO and the UN.

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International Investors Association conveys its condolences to the victims of the Tbilisi disaster, Association   expresses its sympathy towards the victims of the natural disaster in Tbilisi as well as those who were injured or lost their homes. International Investors Association of Georgia and its member companies are helping people who are in natural disasters and 200 hundred boxes with food, T-shirts, Bed linens and personal hygiene items are sending to Tbilisi by the name of Association. Investors Association is actively involved in Charity Events arrangement, for those who do need our support.

On10th of June, 2015, First university clinic was opened in Batumi. The building was constructed with Turkish Investment by the company “Brothers” LTD. “BAU International University, Batumi” is a part of the BAU Global Network that comprises of higher education universities all over the world. Bau Global Network consists of universities in Washington D.C., Berlin, Rome, Toronto, Honk-Kong and Istanbul. Total number of students reaches up to 30 000. International experience, will to expand best educational services all around the globe with the help of BAU Global Network and demand for best educational services in the region brought us to the decision to open the modern university in Georgia, especially in the beautiful city Batumi. BAU International University Batumi is going to welcome its very first medical students for the 2015-2016 Academic Year as well as welcoming university students from all around the world. In BAU International University Batumi which will be a foundation university throughout its presence, scholarships in various conditions and percentages will be provided to successful students. The university will accept students from abroad in its first year and starting from the following year, it will accept students from Georgia, as well. 25 million dollars investment in total was made for hospital complex, which will include a BAU International University Batumi, as well. 50 students will be accepted for the first year to the university which has the capacity for 300 students. In the following period, along with new investments made in Georgia, faculties such as health sciences, dentistry and tourism will be established. University is placed in one building with the new hospital “Brothers”. This will help us provide the best education for the medical faculty students as students will undergo their clinical practices from the first year of their education. Faculty of medicine provides one cycle 6 year program of medicine. Total number of student during 6 year will be up to 350. University itself is a modern facility that features latest technologies, laboratories and classrooms ready for international studies. “BAU International University, Batumi” students will get the educational services as from Georgian, so from foreign lecturers as from BAU Global Network so from other high value universities. We are ready to start our best educational services in Batumi for the 2015-2016 semester and we are sure that our students will reach their goals and become professionals who will solve important problems. The mission of teaching university “BAU International University, Batumi” is to introduce educational policy in compliance to international standards. To train personnel that is competitive, has high moral standards, qualified, have a scientific point of view, knowledge of innovative technology and liberal values. According to the mission, the main GOALS of the university are: Carry out and develop university educational programs (single stage, bachelor and master degrees). Train highly-skilled staff, which will be competitive on the international labor market; Support the integration of the educational university in the global educational and scientific market niche; Develop and carry out scientific and research-based projects in cooperation with the universities in Georgia and abroad; Ensure the academic freedom of the professors and the teachers; Create an environment that’s flexible for the student for studying and scientific work; The main TASKS of the university are: Permanent improvement of educational programs and innovative development of the educational process; Consideration of the interests of a potential employer; Maximum support for the students to become professionals; Support for scientific research and introduction of innovative teaching methods; Development of international scientific partnership; Student mobility support; Support of development and execution of international scientific-research based projects; Support of professors’ professional and career development.

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Five-star “Leo Grand” hotel is opened in Batumi. The opening ceremony was attended by Georgian Prime Minister and officials of Ajara region - $40 million of investment, 180 rooms and a world-class service. Government leader congratulated Batumi residents with the implementation of successful project and thanked the Turkish investor on behalf of the Government. Prime Minister welcomes the increase of investor's interest towards Batumi. "This is the second five-star hotel, which we have opened in Batumi. Few more hotels will be opened this year. The dynamics is optimistic, number of tourists is increasing and will continue to increase", - stated the Prime Minister. The upscale hotel contains the presidential suites, conference rooms, restaurant, club and spa center. 700 people are employed at the hotel.

On 4^th of June, 2015. Members of Tourist Agency of Turkey “Tursab” , representatives of Ministry of Culture of Turkey and representatives of Turkey Airlines were hosted in the International Investors Association. During the meeting the sides have talked about tourist and investment potential of the region. Members of the delegation are visiting the region under invitation of Department of Sport and Youth Affairs. It should be noted that Turkey, in recent years, has become a leader as per the number of incoming tourists not only on the regional scale but also on the national one. In June, two more media tour from Turkey are scheduled by the Department of Tourism.

On June 1, 2015 was held one more charity event by International Investors Association, Secretary General of IIA congratulated the international Children’s  day about 75 socially vulnerable families, they were taken to McDonalds and fed a delicious lunch There was arranged entertainment program for the children in McDonald’s. In the framework of Event the children had lunch and given presents. International Investors Association works not only on to attract of Investment, but actively is involved in Charity Events arrangement, for those who do need our support. Note: International Day for Protection of Children, is observed in many countries as Children's Day on June 1 since 1950, was established by the Women's International Democratic Federation.

May 22, 2015  at the office of IIA Poti Free zone participated at the meeting held for Turkish companies from textile and food industries that was organized with the support of International Investors Association in Batumi.   Poti Free zone representative met 15 different companies and introduce FZ terms of working, preferences, existing infrastructure and perspectives. The meeting was also attended Secretary General of International Investors Association who introduced to Turkish Businessmen current and existing projects in the Business and Textile sphere of Ajara Region. At the end of the meeting few companies have expressed their interest to visit Poti Free Zone territory and see current developing projects locally.  Poti FZ was particularly attractive for textile manufacturing companies sincefinding/retraining the qualified personnel in Poti are longer a problem - due to the existing school/college that along with many other specializations alsotrains personnel in this field. The courses are free and funded by the Government of Georgia. Graduated students get relevant certificates. The most important fact is that college is equipped with modern machineries, including sawing machines.  It was agreed that interested companies will evaluate the potential of their projects in POTI FZ and later it will be coordinated with FZ for further developments.    Poti Free Zone, operating from 2011, actively developing and working on attracting industrial and trading companies from targeted countries. Poti Free Zone is considered as a regional hub, which is attractive for light industries, also for regional trading andcompanies from heavy industries.

Please check digest No 277