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The project is funded by the European Union
BUSINESS CONFERENCE
April 27, 2015, Brussels
“Georgia’s new opportunities in free trade with the EU”
Working language: English
Venue: Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Rue du Fossé-aux-Loups 47, B-1000 Brussels
09:00 – 09:30 Registration (coffee/tea)
Welcoming remarks: Ambassador Zviad Chumburidze, EUGBC Secretary General
09:30 – 10:15 Opening remarks
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Mr. David Bakradze, State Minister of Georgia on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration
Mr. Gerhard Schumann-Hitzler, Director for Neighbourhood East, DG NEAR
Mr. Mikheil Janelidze, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of
Georgia
Mr. Emmanuel Haton, Chairman of the Board of EUGBC, Director of European Government
Affairs at BP
Mr. Dirk Schuebel, Head of Division, Eastern Partnership bilateral, EEAS
Ambassador Natalie Sabanadze, Head of the Georgian Mission to the European Union
10:15-11:15 SESSION I - Trading and Investing in Georgia: key issues
The session provides an overview of the current state of the Georgian economy, while
highlighting the Government's plans for accelerating economic growth and attracting more
investment. It also provides an in depth look at main characteristics of the Georgian business
climate, with a focus on the key challenges facing both domestic and foreign investors.
Moderator: Mr. David Lee, President, Magticom
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Key Speakers:
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Mr. Giorgi Pertaia, Director of the Georgian National Investment Agency
Mr. Michael Hampel, General Director of Heidelberg Cement Georgia
Mr. Badri Japaridze, TBC bank co-founder, First Vice Chairman of the Board of EUGBC
Mr. Joseph Crowley, Deputy Managing Director APM Terminals/Poti Sea Port
Mr. Goga Japaridze, Commercial Director, PASHA Bank Georgia
Q&A/ Discussion
11:15 – 11.30 Coffee/tea break
11:30 – 12:30 SESSION II - EU-Georgia AA/DCFTA related regulatory reform and its impact on
manufacturers & producers and on services providers
The session focuses on the practical implications of the provisional entrance into force of the
DCFTA.
Moderator: Mr. Kakha Gogolashvili, Director of EU Studies at Georgian Foundation for Strategic
and International Studies
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Mr. Mikheil Janelidze, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of
Georgia
Mrs. Jane Amilhat, Deputy Head of Unit, "Trade aspects of European neighbourhood policy.
Trade relations with countries of the CIS, Balkans, Turkey", DG Trade
Mr. Nikoloz Khundzakishvili - Corporate Affairs Director, Efes Brewery in Georgia – JSC
Lomisi
Mr. Bertold Bär-Bouyssière, Partner, DLA Piper; Member of the Board of DLA Piper
International
Mr. Konstantine Vekua, Director of Nergeta (Agribusiness – Kiwi production)
Q&A/ Discussion
12:30 – 13:20 SESSION III - EU Support to SMEs: SME Internationalisation and the Enterprise
Europe Network
The session provides an overview on the main principles and conditions guiding the EU's
support to SMEs. Additionally, the sectors with most potential for growth will be discussed.
Examples of Georgian SMEs succeeding in becoming competitive internationally will also share
their experience.
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Moderator: Mr. Dirk Vantyghem, Director of International Affairs, EUROCHAMBRES
Key Speakers:
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Mr. Bruno Balvanera, Director for Caucasus, Moldova & Belarus, EBRD
Mr. Patrick De Smedt, Deputy Head of Unit, SME Access to Markets, DG Internal Market,
Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs
Mr. Etienne de Salins, CEO, Marussia Beverages
Mr. Giorgi Tsikolia, Director, Entrepreneurship Development Agency of Georgia
Q&A/ Discussion
Conclusion (13:20 – 13:30) closing remarks by:
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Mr. Mikheil Janelidze, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of
Georgia
Ambassador Zviad Chumburidze, EUGBC Secretary General
EU-GEORGIA BUSINESS COUNCIL (EUGBC) EXPO AND ECONOMIC PHOTO EXHIBITION
B2B PLATFORM
13:35 – B2B MEETINGS
13:55 – OPENING OF EUGBC EXPO AND ECONOMIC PHOTO EXHIBITION
Opening remarks: Ambassador Zviad Chumburidze, EUGBC Secretary General
Addresses:
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Mr. David Bakradze, State Minister of Georgia on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration
Mr. George Chogovadze, Head of Georgian National Tourism Administration
14:15 – RECEPTION
15:15 – B2B MEETINGS
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