Ajara A.R Employment Agency awarded the best employers and partners of the year 2012. It should be noted, that International Investors Association was awarded as the best partner.

Construction of new hospital is underway on Bagrationi street in Batumi. Multi-functional clinic for 92-beds will have radiology, angiography, surgery, cardiology, intensive care units, cardiovascular, neonatal resuscitation, laboratories. 20 million USD will be invested in the hospital’s construction and 180 persons will be employed there. The company “System Insaat” plans finishing of construction in April 2013. The management of the clinic will be given to the well-known Turkish company “Medicana Group.” Chairman of Ajara government has observed ongoing construction works. According to Archil Khabadze, executive government actively supports investment projects ongoing in the region.

Please check digest No 153

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On December 28, 2012 International Investors Association and members visited Batumi disabled children. Within the charity event, the children were provided with household inventory, refrigerator, gas cooker, personal computer, toys and various goods. The association is ready to continue its charitable activities and provide support to socially vulnerable segment in the future.

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On December 7, 2012 ICC-Georgia’s newly established Consultative Board held its first meeting with ICC Board members to discuss the current business and investment environments in the country. It should be noted also, that International Investors Association often attends the important    meetings organized by ICC Georgia. In addition to the general business climate several issues were discussed such as the banking system, small and medium enterprises, competition law, labour code, tax issues, the real estate situation and relations with government and parliament. “It was a very productive meeting where many issues were discussed and we listened to the views and advice of the members of the Advisory Board, we also expressed our concerns to the Consultative Board regarding public statements made by high ranking officials in the West in regard to the recent arrests in Georgia and expressed our wish that such statements are made in the future through diplomatic channels only and not through the media considering that on one hand they interfere with due judicial process and on the other they ruin the investment climate in the country” said Fady Asly Chairman of the Board. H.E. Ambassador Pieter Langenberg addressed the audience on behalf of the Consultative Board and stressed the importance of having a dialog with ICC Board members and with businesses in general to better comprehend the different challenges; Ambassador Langenberg stated that stability was the key for economic prosperity without which there could  be no serious investments in the country.

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On December 3^rd 2012 ICC Georgia HR commission held a follow up meeting to review new developments regarding current labour code amendments. Special expert, Tamar Kovziridze was invited to the commission in order to provide independent evaluation of the Codex. International Investors Association attended the meeting too. Several commission members expressed their concerns about particular articles of the labour code and supported their arguments with clear examples of conflicts that may occur between the Government legislations and internal company policies. Moreover, ICC Georgia HR commission detected numerous facts of inappropriate interpretations of original International labour organization (ILO) developed Codex, vague statements, several rushed ideas that can potentially fuel irresolvable and unjustified disputes. The commission has set several priorities as well as an action plan in order to avoid otherwise imminent danger, threatening Georgian Businesses. ICC Georgia will continue being heavily involved in all the future decision making regarding the law, attending parliament meetings and working closely with the officials involved in regulating amendments to the codex, in order to defend interests of Georgian businesses.