The EU-Georgia Business Forum 2023, organized by the European Business Association (EBA) and in partnership with ProCredit Bank Georgia at Pullman Tbilisi Axis Towers on November 21, was supported by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the EU. The forum brought together leaders to discuss business challenges and achievements.

The opening ceremony included speeches by key figures, such as John Braeckeveldt (EBA President), Shalva Papuashvili (Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia), Pawel Herczynski (EU Ambassador to Georgia), Maciej Czura (Head of EIB Global Regional Representation for the South Caucasus), Lasha Khutsishvili (Minister of Finance of Georgia), and others.

A notable event was the presentation of the EU Business Climate Report 2023, which analyzes Georgia’s future development steps and assesses reforms from both public and private perspectives.

A panel discussion on “Access to Finance” involved decision-makers discussing challenges for small and medium-sized enterprises, regulatory frameworks, trade issues, and European integration of Georgia. A concurrent trade show featured products from 30 European companies, with B2B meetings for potential cooperation.

In addition to the distinguished speakers and participants, the Association of Georgian Virtual Zone Persons was invited to the EU-Georgia Business Forum 2023 as both a guest and a participant. The chairman of the Association, Shorena Kopaleishvili, conducted insightful interviews with key figures, including the EU Ambassador, the Speaker of the Parliament, and representatives from the Ministry of Finance and the business community. Through these interactions, the Association shared valuable industry insights and challenges and underlined the significance role and existence of the IT industry for the economy of Georgia.

Established last year, the EU-Georgia Business Forum has become Georgia’s premier business event. This year’s expansion underscores its importance as a platform for dialogue and collaboration, with the 2022 introduction of the European Economic Cooperation Platform (EECP) emphasizing its growth. It should be noted that the VZP Association is one of the first members of this platform.

The success of the forum was made possible by the collaboration between the EBA and the EECP Platform, with the European Investment Bank (EIB) serving as the main sponsor, reflecting its commitment to fostering business development and cooperation between the European Union and Georgia.