Meet the First Woman to Run a Construction Company in Adjara
Gender balance has always been an issue in the contemporary world. Equality of sex is intrinsically linked to sustainable development and is vital to the realization of human rights for all. In line with global trends, more and more Georgian women are becoming decision makers and being appointed to high managerial positions in Georgia. As such, the Black Sea region of Adjara was pleased to see a former journalist and Member of the European Cultural Parliament, Natia Sirabidze, after years of serving in government, appointed as CEO of the Mardi Holding construction company in Adjara.
The company Mardi Holding was founded in 2007, though its history started 25 years ago with a small company working on import-export. Currently, the Holding unites construction, project development, architectural, real estate and freight companies as well as wine and tobacco production and hydropower plants.
GEORGIA TODAY met the newly appointed CEO to discuss women’s priorities when holding leading positions in the public and private sector.
Why did you decide to move from government to the private sector?
I’ve worked in different leading positions in the government, non-governmental organizations and media - I was at various times a Deputy Minister and Head of PR and, to be honest, I wanted to try something different. I’m a former journalist and as a journalist I always considered myself an agent of change: every position I took was a trial to change something and now I think it’s time to face new challenges in the business sector. This will be a new experience for me and hope it will open new opportunities, bringing more success and less failure.
Is the private sector more welcoming to female bosses?
From my observation, women can multitask better than men. Generally, Georgian women are “all mighty;” we are educated, we are disciplined workers, we cook well, take care of kids, are talented in singing and craft-making. But is seems that men do not like to acknowledge this. Businesses do not yet really welcome women bosses, but are starting to feel the need to. I myself took this position because it was interesting for me to work for a company that produces diverse products and works in so many new directions. The founder of the company, Irakli Turmanidze, and the team are very creative and energetic, which is a good drive.
What are the main businesses of the holding?
The main direction is construction and development; we build houses and apart-hotels in Batumi and Tbilisi. Our company was the first in Georgia to make semi-ready products for hunting and sports weaponry out of walnut tree roots, which were sold on the European market for companies such as Beretta, Benelli, Anschutz, and Perazzi. In addition, in 2008, Mardi Holding started growing tobacco leaves and creating tobacco products, among which were the first Georgian cigars to be exported to Europe. Currently, there are 23 kinds of Georgian cigar and six kinds of Georgian tobacco on sale. So, we are pioneers in many directions and would like to continue this pattern.
What novelties do you plan to introduce?
Our priority is environment protection, so we have started working on energy-efficient constructions. We offer our customers houses with “green frames” that save energy. Our headquarters was the first building in Georgia with a system of renewable energy facilities: geothermal heating and conditioning, and energy-efficient illumination based on helio and wind power. There are soon to be water recirculation and electromobile charging stations as well. Even more, to support Georgia’s economic and political independence, we commenced hydropower plant construction in Adjara, in Keda municipality. This will see three mini hydropower plants built ensuring no harm is done to the environment. The plants will produce a total power of 5.7 megawatts from a $7 million investment.
I’ve come to realize how hard it is to run so many projects, but we have a great team and I hope that my participation will bring even more success.
Mariko Natsarishvili