Successful Business Thru The Link Between Countries

Interview with Mr. Itsik Moshe
Georgian Business week Writer

In 1990s, one of the leading Israeli newspapers wrote: "the man who headed the office of the World Jewish Agency in the former Soviet Union resigned... The Government believes that this is a great loss for the ALIAH and Israel as well". The name of this man is well known for the Georgian society, as Georgia was the first country of the Soviet Block, where he opened the first Jewish representation. Years later, he was elected a President of Israel-Georgia Chamber of Business.

At the age of 15 he organized a pan-Israeli movement demanding the return of territories in Judea and Samaria to Israel - the issue that still remains to be highly arguable in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Later, Mr. Itsik Moshe was the head of the Students' Union and chaired the Foreign Relations Department in the World Students Organization. He sponsored two congresses bearing historic importance: the World Congress of Jewish Youth in 1988, where he invited leaders of Soviet Students Union, and the First Congress of Jewish Leaders, held in the USSR, which was banned by the ruling regime. Starting 1989, he set up 5 representations of the World Jewish Organizations in different Republics of former Soviet Union; and for the last few years he himself held the position of General Director in Moscow. Israeli press characterized him as "an architect of bringing 500.000 Jews to Israel".

Interviewing Mr. Itsik Moshe, the President of Israel-Georgia Chamber of Business., we could not help discussing the problems that have been analyzed in our newspaper previously: the importance of foreign investments in Georgia, engaging the attention of investors, befitting business environment in our country, as well as Israeli-Georgian economic, social and cultural relations. Our Chamber will be 10 years old this year. In the following interview we will try to sum up the 10 year long activity of the IGCOB.

Q: What is the general idea of a "chamber of business"? Why did you call your organization "chamber of business" instead of "chamber of commerce"? How does your Chamber of Business work?

Chambers of commerce have become an integral part of worldwide economic and diplomatic relations. They were founded in order to establish closer business relations and support existing economic ties. The experience of our Chamber of Commerce shows that Israeli businessmen arriving in Georgia used to fail in their business ventures more often then not. In most cases this was the result of poor knowledge of country's business traditions and regulations, economic and political situation, investing environment and local laws. Often the Georgian partners, red tape, corruption of the high-ranking officials, and negative attitude on the part of local population generated problems for foreign investors.

Sure, the last couple of years have shown the dramatic cut down in the number of problems, though I have to point out that in many countries worldover, you often meet more or less similar problems. That's why, IGCOB assumed the function of a guide and a consultant, protecting the interests of businessmen from Israel or any other foreign country.

As regards the name of our organization, at the time when the chamber was set up, the word "commerce" had a bad connotation in Georgia; besides, the meaning of "chamber of business" is broader and manifold.

Q: In your recent interview you said that the direction of Jewish investors' activities had changed dramatically. Why did it happen? How would you explain it?

Our activities during the last 10 years can be divided in three periods: years 96-97 - we where full of hope then - there was a huge flow of investment from Israel. At that time Israel was the leader in the investments here. Then there was a period of years 1998-03, which were the years of failure - many have lost millions, and Israeli businessmen lost interest in Georgia. Israeli investments fell to the bottom line of the list. Noticeable changes have taken place during the last two years: increased numbers of interested investors are applying the IGCOB. The fact speaks for itself.

The course of Georgian government today stimulates and ensures foreign companies that their business in Georgia will be safe and successful. Chamber of Business participated in the organization of meetings of Georgian President with businessmen during his visits in Israel, USA, and Turkey. I took part in these meetings and I was impressed by the feedback he received. To say nothing about other contacts, over two hundred investors got in touch with our organization.

Q: Does your previous work experience help in managing the Chamber of Business?

I started my activities in a very particular period. I was the first international representative, not only in Georgia, but in the entire former Soviet Union as well. For that time my mission was to return Jews to their historic motherland. Little did I know that after years I would have to deal with Israeli-Georgian economic relations. Then came time, when I realized that my mission of the World Jewish Agency representative was accomplished: over 500 000 Jews have been returned to Israel. Though I view the work I'm doing now as a similar public activity and is no less important for our countries. Let me remind you that the Chamber of Business is a non-profit organization, which serves investors free of charge. Apart from establishing Business relations we are oriented to developing social, political and cultural ties between Israel and Georgia...

Q: Talking of culture, our mass media often mentions Chamber of Business in this connection. Could you tell us about the functions of your new department?

That's one more reason why our organization is not called the "Chamber of Commerce". From the very beginning we were targeted on promoting culture. Take show business as an example: IGCOB was instrumental in producing 10 CDs of Georgian-Jewish recordings, organizing a number of concerts, some of them held in the world famous halls. We assisted Georgian show business star Tamar Gverdtsiteli in developing creative cooperation with French composer Michele Legrand, and in giving concerts at Carnegie Hall and Olympia. We were also active in promoting other Georgian singers, classic musicians, artists, sculptors, and movie actors... We pride ourselves with fact that by fostering Georgian artists and paving their way to the Israeli audience IGCOB helped boost their careers.

As regards the new department, it will deal with the new projects in general as well as cultural undertakings. Lately the talk of the town was the projected cooperation of our Chamber of Business with French movie star Gerard Depardieu. Actually, it is part of new Georgian-French-Israeli project, which consists of several moments, which includes the construction of a French Center "Arcada" in Tbilisi. This new department is headed by Ms. Ia Chantladze. Besides being a gifted singer and fine actress, she already is a full-fledged "Business Lady". She has a qualification of an expert in international relations with good previous experience of international contacts. I believe, she will be successful in her activities and will carry through many interesting projects.

Q: Why the 10-year anniversary is called "Successful Business Thru the Link Between countries"?

A few years ago our motto was different: "Make Israel a leading investor in Georgian economy". A year and a half ago at the feast of Hanukah, organized by our Chamber, we asked Mr. President to take Jewish investment under his personal control. This issue was very important for that time. Today I'm confident that Israel has regained its leadership in the field of private investments. Currently IGCOB meets interested investors and a lot of serious projects are under way. Current positive processes in Georgia, fighting corruption, stable economy, adequate taxing policy, etc. creates favorable conditions for developing and strengthening political, economic, and cultural ties between Georgia and Israel.

I reiterate that in geopolitical and strategic aspects Georgia and Israel represent 2 sides of the coin; the same goes for successful business and socio-political relations. That's why the motto of the current event is "Successful business thru the link between countries". It underlines the importance of successful economic ties in the political and diplomatic relations between the countries.

Q: What could you say about the ties with the Jewish communities world over?

The activities of IGCOB are not limited with the contacts with Israeli businessmen. During the last decade our close collaboration with Georgian Embassies abroad we established interesting connections with Jewish investors in Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Russia, France, etc. However, I'd like to stress that during the Georgian President's visit in the USA our Business Chamber organized his meeting with the "Conference of Presidents" - Presidium of the leaders of international Jewish community, the most influential and powerful group in America. This event lifted Georgian-Jewish relations to the level of Georgia's cooperation with the world Jewish community worldover.

As for the Jewish organizations - "Jewish Agency" (Sokhnut) and Joint currently functioning in Georgia, they need radical reforms. Years ago their activities were effective thanks to the situation in the post-Soviet republics - hardship made Jews leave their habitat, while living conditions in Israel appealed to them. At that time Sokhnut and Joint acted as links in the chain. The picture has changed since then: the ideological grounds are no more relevant. Hence, I strongly believe that these organizations should revise their work.

Q: Mr. Moshe, you've been to many countries. What makes your work in Georgia different?

I've worked in 6 different countries for last 15 years. First of all I must say that you can't work in small countries like Israel and Georgia without learning to love them. You could cope with your job without this feeling in big countries like USA and Russia. As for my opinion of Georgia, I frankly believe that it has everything for becoming a stable and developed country of Western type. My views are based on Georgian people's aspirations for democracy and prosperity. Their ambition to reach the standards of life of the developed countries combined with the government's right course will definitely result in success.

Q: How do you see the future from today's viewpoint?

I think that my answers are full of optimism that has a strong motivation. But better don't wander far ahead - let's take one step forward first...