Who Owned Georgia English.pdf

and further reasons why foreign investors should be attractedto Georgia. Yet, there are also concerns. The rash of arrests ofmembers of Saakashvili’s administration are considered by manyto be political retribution and there is fear this will destabilizethe economy and keep investors away. Ivanishvili’s inabilityto confront a wave of nation-wide strikes after elections alsosent negative signals to the international business community.Furthermore, the government’s intention to amend the laborcode is considered a dangerous move, as business leaders see therelaxed code as a major incentive for investment. “It’s not thecode that’s the problem, it’s the way it was enforced that was theproblem,” Fady Asly says. 409The business climate is indeed changing as I type. Just howfar, or how much, remains to be seen. For me, the barometerwill be a couple years down the road, when we see new Georgiamadeproducts on the shelves and we’ll be able to pick them upwithout being reminded what minister is the real owner. Andfor the record, Barambo chocolate does not belong to DavidKezarishvili. Before parliamentary elections, it was owned byNikoloz Shakharishvili, Iago Choceli and Lukhum Kapanadze, 410who we have seen is close to Vano Merabishvili. After elections,it seems Iago and Lukhum were quick to pass their shares torelatives, or people who coincidentally share the same familynames (Mari Choceli and Ucha Kapanadze), while Nikolozkept his shares 411 . The reader may be tempted to call it “Vanochocolate,” but please don’t.409 Author’s interview with Fady Asly, Chairman of International Chamber ofCommerce. conducted on 10/11/2012410 Public Registry. Ministry of Justice of Georgia 17/09/2012 https://enreg.reestri.gov.ge/main.php?c=mortgage&m=get_output_by_id&scandoc_id=457084&app_id=531600 Accessed 13/12/2012411 Public Registry. Ministry of Justice of Georgia 20/11/2012 https://enreg.reestri.gov.ge/main.php?c=mortgage&m=get_output_by_id&scandoc_id=474696&app_id=550532 Accessed 05/12/2012100