BGCC Opens Tbilisi Office, Looks Forward to Boosting Georgian-British Relations

On July 6, the British-Georgian Chamber of Commerce (BGCC), after nine years of existence, invited guests to celebrate the opening of its Tbilisi branch, having been based solely in London before now. Present were special guests from founding companies British Petroleum (BP) and TBC Bank; new partners PriceWaterhouseCoopers; the British Embassy Chargé d'Affaires, Tiffany Sadler; and various representatives from both the Georgian business sector and the British.

Non-profit organization BGCC has a vested interest in encouraging bilateral relations between Britain and Georgia, including in investment, trade, and cultural awareness-raising between the two countries through conferences, trade missions and exhibitions. Its current focus is on food and wine and it is preparing in particular for the Global Wine Forum to be launched in Kakheti, Georgia, this autumn. The BGCC was founded in London by Lord Cromwell and Mako Abashidze in March 2007.

The main aim of having a branch in Georgia, located in the Beziki Business Center alongside the UK Visa Application Center, is to facilitate Georgian businesses in being able to invest, trade and relate to their British counterparts.

“In our Tbilisi office we will provide services we don’t provide in London,” Mako Abashidze told GEORGIA TODAY. “In London we are more focussed on corporate membership, whereas here we decided to fill a niche to provide tangible, practical and affordable services related to Britain. Guaranteeing good quality and high standards, we will offer Georgian businesses- large and small- consultancy, lobbying, translation, notarisation and more. We are also partnering with a consultancy firm in London which allows us to help Georgian companies step-by-step in registering, bank accounts, virtual offices and anything else they need to make a success of their business endeavours in Britain.”

BGCC also has a big focus on professional education, arranging internships and facilitating the attendance of Georgian businessmen on courses at such prestigious institutions as Plumpton Agricultural College, which has a focus on wine branding and marketing, particularly useful for today’s Georgia.

We asked Ms Abashidze if the idea of Britain leaving the EU concerned her or affected the aims of the BGCC in any way.

“Brexit is nothing to be scared of,” she said. “Times of change often bring more opportunities. I’m actually very optimistic.”

The celebratory event was held at the Terrace Hotel & Restaurant, where guests were welcomed with a buffet, wine, and music provided by Georgian male choir, Urmuli.

Katie Ruth Davies