Throughout the month of June, preparations are actively underway for the Israel-Georgia Business Forum, which will be held in Jerusalem as part of the 30th anniversary of the Israel-Georgia Chamber of Business.
As part of the events surrounding the forum, Dr. Akram Hasson, an influential member of the Knesset and of the Israel-Georgia Parliamentary Friendship Group, will visit Georgia. During his visit, he will meet with representatives of the Georgian business community, learn more about the activities of Israeli businesses operating in Georgia, and hold meetings with leaders of various institutions and organizations, and, most importantly, members of the younger generation in support of future bilateral ties. A meeting is also planned at the S. Akhmeteli Theatre, where numerous productions on Jewish themes have been staged over the years.
Itsik Moshe, President of the Israel-Georgia Chamber of Business and head of the Israeli House NET, has been actively working in Georgia and Eastern Europe for the past 35 years. In his view, the world and the region have faced a series of major challenges over the last seven years, including the pandemic, political crises, and regional wars. At the same time, growing global antisemitism remains a serious concern. For this reason, he believes the business community today is in particular need of support and new opportunities for development.
By the end of the month, Georgia is also expected to host a visit from Wyndham leadership. The company’s investments, together with the introduction of international standards and quality practices, have made a significant contribution to the development of Georgia’s real estate and tourism sectors. Projects carried out under the Wyndham brand have increased international investor and visitor interest in Georgia, making the country even more attractive both to Israeli investors and to investors from around the world. This stands as a successful example of how international business can contribute to economic growth, tourism development, and the creation of new investment opportunities.
Dr. Akram Hasson is a well-known and highly respected figure within the highest circles of the Georgian government. In the Knesset, he serves as head of the Education Committee and is an active member of committees dealing with matters related to the Ministries of Finance and Internal Affairs. He has long supported the strengthening of relations between Israel and Georgia and has consistently backed the development of economic, political, and public ties between the two countries. He is also a board member of the Israeli House and an active supporter of the organization’s international expansion.
This process has received strong backing from representatives of Israel’s political and economic establishment. Former Israeli Minister of Economy Amir Peretz, who visited Tbilisi several years ago and attended the 25th anniversary event at the Israeli House, stated that the Israel-Georgia Chamber of Business had created an important economic bridge between the two countries, that the organization works for the benefit of both nations, and that its activities are without parallel.
According to Eli Cohen, currently serving as Israel’s Minister of Infrastructure and formerly Minister of Foreign Affairs, the activities and work of Itsik Moshe and the Israeli House remind him of Shimon Peres.
It is also noteworthy that during a Knesset session, Akram Hasson appealed to the President of Israel to grant the Israeli House the State of Israel’s highest recognition for its achievements, representation, and international connections.
Under the leadership of the Israel-Georgia Chamber of Business, more than 30 business forums have been held to date in Jerusalem and Tbilisi, contributing nearly 5 billion in overall value to Georgia.
This year’s business forum in Jerusalem is expected to host approximately 300 guests, including representatives of government, parliament, economic institutions, business circles, and public organizations. The main message of the forum will be that Georgia remains at the center of economic activity. The forum’s primary focus will be support mechanisms for Israeli businesses and preparations for a new wave of investment in Georgia.
The second part of the forum will focus on a new platform for cooperation between cities, led by the Israeli House. Joint projects and partnership initiatives prepared by Georgian companies will also be presented, all aimed at further strengthening economic relations between Israel and Georgia.
When asked what challenges he sees today after 30 years of activity by the Chamber of Business, Itsik Moshe responded:
“First of all, I would like to emphasize that we are a non-governmental organization and are not involved in political relations between countries, which is the role of embassies.
It is noteworthy that, over the past decades, most visits by Israeli ministers and members of parliament have been conducted within the framework of public diplomacy. This format is particularly flexible, and it is through this mechanism that important connections and a solid foundation for cooperation have been established. The parliamentary friendship groups on both sides deserve significant credit for this achievement.
Second, as for business relations, through joint efforts we must address the shortcomings of the past that became evident during periods of crisis. It is necessary to support companies and strengthen business ties between countries.
It is also important to strengthen the institution of the business ombudsman. It should become the primary point of contact for businesses in order to ensure rapid response. This is especially important at a time when the potential of many regions has been damaged.
Third, the banking system, whose strength is built on business itself, must face reality and recognize the difficulties businesses have faced during the crises of the past seven years as force majeure circumstances. It should seek business support funds from international institutions and, at the very least, carry out loan restructurings.
The government should strengthen cooperation with bilateral chambers of commerce so that at least two global forums are held each year, one in Georgia and the other in the country represented by the chamber. The role of international business organizations is also important, including the leading ICC, which within a short period of time could integrate Georgia into a global network spanning 170 countries.
Fourth, we should activate the program developed by the Israel-Georgia Chamber of Business involving 100 honorary consuls who, together with ambassadors, would be tasked with attracting investment. This could generate at least 2 billion in investment annually.
We should complete work from both sides on the free trade agreement between Israel and Georgia, which we began together with Dr. Akram Hasson. The agreement should also include investment protection provisions, which are first and foremost in Georgia’s interest.
At the previous business forum held in Tbilisi, attended by 100 delegates from Israel together with the mayors of three cities, we spoke about a 5 billion contribution over the past 35 years and the potential for an additional 1 billion contribution by 2030. This can be achieved through coordinated and joint efforts.
It is also important to note that tourism from Israel will reach 500,000 visitors, representing a contribution of 600 million dollars. Decades ago, when we first began promoting Georgia’s tourism potential, almost no one believed that the number would grow from 5,000 tourists to half a million.
After the war, Israel will become a country with which even more states will seek deeper cooperation and stronger ties across multiple sectors. Public diplomacy will form the second part of the forum, and the Israeli House, headquartered in Jerusalem with 30 representative offices worldwide, will contribute its modest role to this process. By the end of the year, new representative offices will also be opened in Armenia, Morocco, and Spain.
Let us begin preparing together in July for a major new stage of cooperation”.
By Team GT
