The Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia familiarizes with BP’s small start-up business development model in Samtskhe-Javakheti region
The Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia plans to further facilitate the SME development in Georgia. Within the framework of the initiative The Deputy Minister Ketevan Bochorishvili visited Samtskhe-Javakheti region, where BP has been promoting entrepreneurship in the communities along Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline for the last several years.
“We have decided to visit successful micro-entrepreneurs on site, as it is the only way to see the real picture and create useful sector development strategy” – says Ms. Bochorishvili.
The representatives of The Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, BP and the Regional Development Association (implementer of the CDI program in Samtskhe-Javakheti) visited dental clinic and grocery shop in village Tsnisi, as well as wool-processing enterprises and egg hatching incubator in village Klde, opened within the framework of the project. They also visited Financial Legal Service Group that provides consultancy to entrepreneurs in the municipality.
“My husband and I opened dental clinic with BP matching grant and I gave up my job in Tbilisi clinic and returned back to my village. Before, locals had to go to Akhaltsikhe to get dental service. Our son is also studying to become orthodontist and we plan on adding such service in the future” – says dental clinic owner Lamzira Mikava.
Newly opened Tsnisi grocery shop owner, a young couple has an idea to offer customers pached fruits and vegetables grown in their backyard plot. “I am lucky to have a chance to talk to The Deputy Ministry of Economy personally and shared my vision for the region’s problems and the promotion of business. The shop in on the strategic touristic route to Vardzia and according to Ms. Bochorishvili take away hot coffee and snacks will work well during the season. We will think about the ways of implementing this idea” – says the shop owner Ucha Gogoladze.
“The role of small business in economic development of the country should be of key importance. This is the only way to increase income and attach youth to rural part of the country. The corporate social responsibility taken by BP, within the framework of which it promotes sustainable and self development oriented start-up small business in the region in exemplary” – explains Keti Bochorishvili.
The Deputy Minister in wool-processing enterprise, village Klde
According to the advisor of BP Community Development Association (CDI) Eter Kvirikashvili, within the framework of CDI program financed by BP and its partners, only in 2012 32 micro-entrepreneurs were awarded a 1200 USD grant in Samtskhe-Javakheti, as a result 18 small businesses were started that created 33 jobs. Within the framework of the program additionally 28 micro-entrepreneurs will be financed in May, 2013.
The Deputy Minister and Gogoladze family, Tsnisi
“To gain financing for small businesses entrepreneurs have difficulties in financial calculations and business plans elaboration even on conceptual level. Thus entrepreneurs at firs fill the grant application form and after that they have practical trainings in order to be able to present full, justified and financially calculated business plans necessary to obtain finances for small businesses. Accountancy service groups set up especially within the framework of the program provide consultations on financial issues” – explains Rusudan Medzmariashvili, Social Responsibility Manager of BP.
At the end the delegation visited Klde wool-processing enterprise, which has been established by the initiative of two women and today three more females are employed. “I kept looking at wool thrown away after sheering of ship in our village in spring and decided to convert this raw material into a commercial product” – says grantee Tamriko Tsikarishvili and adds that due to large number of orders they collect wool in other villages also.
Rusudan Medzmariashvili and The Deputy Minister in the small enterprise of egg hatching incubator located near the wool processing enterprise in the village Klde.