British Embassy in Tbilisi Organizes Business Group Meeting

On September 30th, in the Garden of Tbilisi Sio restaurant, social drinks for the British Business Group (BBG) were organized. BBG was set up in 2013 upon the initiative of the then-British Ambassador to Georgia, with an aim to bring together British or British associated businesses operating in Georgia.

During the meeting, those present discussed and explored new ways of boosting trade and commercial ties between the UK and Georgia.

UK's new ambassador to Tbilisi, Justin McKenzie Smith, greeted the attendees with his hopes for strengthening Georgian-British economic ties:

“I believe that Business can be the engine for the relationship between the UK and Georgia. We as an embassy aim to do everything we can to support deeper ties between UK and Georgian businesses. The UK, as you know, is the second largest investor in Georgia. An evening like this shows the healthy trading relationships between these two countries. It is great to see British brands such as Marks and Spencer’s, Jaguar, Land Rover, here, and last week I was invited to the newly opened Wedgwood store on Chavchabvadze Avenue. And it works the other way around, too. You’ll see more and more wines of Shato Mukhrani in UK Shopping centers,” the Ambassador said.

Founder of Wedgwood Georgia, Nelly Nadirashvili, shared her impressions on the meeting with GEORGIA TODAY:

“It is very interesting for me as this is the first time I have attended a British Business Group Meeting. For us it is very interesting to meet with representatives of British associated businesses as we’ve just opened our showroom where seven brands are presented, four of them British. We are very happy that Georgian customers’ will be able to buy exquisite British products, and this reflects the close business ties between Georgia and Britain.’

Country Director of the British Council Georgia, Zaza Purtseladze, also spoke about the importance of the BBG meeting:

“It is very important as part of the British Council’s operations are of a commercial nature, for example, our teaching center. Our teaching center and educational programs aim to make British language and culture accessible to Georgian people. Partnerships with British associated businesses can help us reach the right audience. Especially interesting for us in that respect are the regions of Georgia, where it is vital to provide people with educational resources and it, of course, requires certain financial expenses. That is why relevant business connections and ties are important for us as an organization to promote British language educational resources and culture abroad.”

Natia Liparteliani