Adgur Lushba: we should learn from Bahrainis
Today at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Abkhazia was held a press conference dedicated to the visit of the delegation of CCI to Kingdom of Bahrain.
Vice-president of CCI of RA Adgur Lushba and representative of "Gagra-Bank" Vitaly Tarnawa told about the trip to reporters.
According Lushba, they visited Bahrain on a business trip at the invitation of the director of the company "BOKHAMMAS GROUP" Suhair Bokhmas. The Abkhaz delegation met with the deputy head of government, the mayor of Bahrain's capital Manama, the leadership of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, business people, lawyers. But the main meeting was held in the Chamber of Commerce of Bahrain.
"Our visit was a presentation of character and aroused great interest among the officials. The meetings dealt with the economic potential of Abkhazia and possible cooperation of our interest in investing in the tourism industry, agriculture, extraction of natural and mineral resources of the equity participation in the construction of the seaport. Especially for a trip, we have prepared booklets, including the Arabic language", - said Adgur Lushba.
The Abkhaz delegation visited the Bahrain International Investment Park - one of the four of free economic zones the kingdom. The park is located on an artificial island created artificially. It is open 120 world production and storage facilities. In addition, the industrial park is located in the port, through which the entire trading turnover of Bahrain.
According to Adgur Lushba, Bahrain has a lot to learn. For example, there are no problems with the registration of enterprises - all works on the principle of "one window" and documents are treated promptly. The state provides grants to budding entrepreneurs in the amount of $ 500 thousand.
Interesting and job creation scheme, if the production of attracting foreign specialist, the employer pays to the state treasury for his employment of $ 26 per month. For the employment of local citizens, the state returns to the employer 50% of wages paid to them. If the foreign investor creates a production company, is among the founders must be a citizen of Bahrain. Thus, the state provides its population with work.
Lushba noted the high standard of living of the population of Bahrain.
"As it turned out, the country is not at the expense of oil (production is only 5-10% of the gross domestic product), and through the establishment of free economic zones and the banking activities of international banks. It is up to the presence of various foreign institutions and the state treasury receives income. Bahrainis have a national idea - a man and his well-being. For the authorities, most importantly, to the citizens of the kingdom feel protected and live comfortably, "- said Adgur Lushba.
According to him, even though Bahrain's area 12 times smaller Abkhazia, in the kingdom lives of 1 million people, including 700 thousand - the local population, 300 thousand - foreigners (80% - Indians, Sri Lankans, Filipinos and the rest of the representatives of the African countries). This Bahrain nationality is almost impossible to obtain, thus, the state protects the interests of its citizens.
He pointed out that Bahrain businessmen were interested in what our relations with our neighbors, with whom we have been friends.
"We do not hide from them, and honestly warned that there could be protests from Georgia, but their conversation realized that for representatives of business in the first place economic cooperation and only then politics", - said vice-president of CCI of RA.
"We have invited Bahrain businessmen in Abkhazia that they got acquainted with the fact that we can offer. In September, their possible return visit to Abkhazia, during which we plan to sign a memorandum on cooperation between the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the two countries "- said Adgur Lushba.
"I liked that while in Bahrain do business in European, and they have kept traditions of “Beduin”. They have not seen the police, officials and civil servants do not take bribes, because it is a shame for the whole family ", - said Vitaly Tarnawa trip participant.
According to him, their visit was preceded by a two-year fellowship, and private visits Abkhaz businessmen in Bahrain.
"This is the first step towards the establishment of contacts. According to the invitation, the business signal was given by the government to come out with us on contact. This is evidenced by the level at which we have taken, "- said Tarnawa.
