Saakashvili Condemns ‘Artificial Obstacles’ for Business

President Saakashvili told the cabinet session on May 10 to eradicate “artificial obstacles” for businesses in Georgia.  In particular, Saakashvili was referring to those reports alleging that that the leading Austiran meat producer Schirnhofer had problems with the Georgian authorities in launching a business in the country.

“This issue with [the Schirnhofer company] was pushed forth by the Austrian Chancellor [Wolfgang Schussel] during our visit to Austria [in late March]… We have studied this issue and the Austrian meat producer has no problems now; all the issues have already been solved. We will also study why those problems ocurred and we will give a report,” MP Nogaideli told President Saakashvili during the government’s session.

President Saakashvili said that he instructs the government not to allow even one case of “artificial hindering of business activities.”

“This includes not just big businesses, not only foreigners, but Georgians, first and foremost. Even the smallest business should not feel that there are officials – governors, deputy governors, police chiefs – who can create obstacles for their business. Therefore, I ask you, if someone is wrong, prove to him why they are wrong,” Saakashvili said.
 
Saakashvili also stressed that Georgia should have the best conditions for launching businesses.
 
“We want our [business] environment to be free and liberal so that we have no competitors in the region or, subsequently, throughout the world,” he added.

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