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.