04.10.2018

Within the framework of the IX Abkhaz-Russian Business Forum, a national competition in field of business will be held in October 12. The competition is organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Abkhazia jointly the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Abkhazia.

By voting, the jury will determine the winners in each nomination. The jury includes heads of leading ministries of the Republic: economy, taxes and fees, agriculture, resorts and tourism, as well as the State Investment Agency of the Ministry of Economy and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Abkhazia.

- The initiative to hold the abovementioned competition belongs to the former Prime Minister of the Republic of Abkhazia Gennady L. Gaguliya. Over the years, being the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Abkhazia he was appealing to the government with the proposal to consider the possibility of holding a national competition. Last year, together with the Ministry of Economy, within the framework of the VIII Abkhaz-Russian Forum, we managed to hold the first trial competition.

“Taking into account the main tasks set by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry to protect the rights of entrepreneurs, the aim of the competition is not only promoting the development of the Abkhaz economy, but first of all creating favorable conditions for development of entrepreneurship in the Republic. The competition has acquired the status of annual and national”,- said the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Abkhazia Tamila Mertskhulava.

Preparation for the competition was carried out throughout September: all the contestants were sent special questionnaires, which were drafted by the CCI of RA in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy, and taking into account the fact that the organization works closely with entrepreneurs, many of whom are members of the chamber, it was easy to work with them.

- 85% of the contestants are members of the CCI. At the same time, many of them are included in the register of reliable partners, and this is a very important and significant factor for us,-stated Tamila Mertskhulava.

She noted that in comparison with previous year, the list of participants was extended - 60 applications were submitted for participation in the competition. After the meeting, the organizing committee selected 23 contestants, three or four enterprises for different nominations.

If to talk about the nominations, there will be eight nominations this year and the additional nomination “Social Responsibility and Charitable Activities of Large Business” was initiated by the CCI of RA.

The winners will be determined in eight nominations:

- "The best manufacturer and exporter of industrial products."

- "The best company in the field of (wholesale, retail) trade."

- “The best disposal facility of the resorts and tourist sector”.

- "The best enterprise in the agricultural industry."

- “Breakthrough of the year (entrepreneurial breakthrough of the year);

- "The best catering business."

- “The best Abkhaz-Russian business”.

- “Social responsibility and charitable activities of large business”.

Tamila Mertskhulava stressed that each nomination has its own specific selection criteria.

First of all, it focuses on the contribution to the creation of the state budget, on the volume of services provided to them, taking into account the transparency of running a business, the level of wages, the number of jobs and etc.

Regarding the competition awards, according to the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Abkhazia, “the attention from the state is more important than a material reward”.

“All enterprises that participate in the competition and those that did not reach the final were created in different economic conditions, independently or with the support of the state. But, despite the difficulties, they are functioning now, developing, expanding and the number of enterprises is increasing every year. Therefore, the main goal we pursue by holding this competition is primarily to draw attention to local entrepreneurs who make a serious contribution to the development of the economy of the Republic”,- emphasized Tamila Mertskhulava.

She stressed that the winners of the competition will be announced within the framework of the IX Abkhaz-Russian Business Forum.

- I hope that the competition will become a kind of motivation and encouragement for entrepreneurs. And taking into account the fact that foreign partners, including CCI colleagues from different Russian regions will take part in the business forum, it will also be a good promotions for us,-said Tamila Mertskhulava.