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Thursday,
August 2,
2007, #146 (1413) "I think Russia
has always been an important trading partner for Georgia, so to lose
Russia's market is really bad for us. Obviously, our government cannot
admit that, because we're following a Western course now, but if Russia
removes the embargo on Georgian wines I'll be glad." "After Russia
put the embargo on Georgian goods we managed to find other markets and
the number of exports increased, so we're clearly not dependent on Russia
any more. On the other hand, if Moscow lifts the embargo that would
be good for us." "I reckon
it's important for Georgia to have access to the Russian market, and
I would approve if our government made concessions to get the embargo
lifted. Russia has always been well-disposed to Georgia and I'll be
awfully glad if we can get back to the way things used to be." "The Russian
embargo was a big setback for Georgian businesses that were tailored
to the Russian market. Mainly that's wine and greens. Despite efforts
to search for alternative markets in Europe-with some companies fortunate
enough to succeed-most of these businesses need more time and effort
to change tack. In the meantime, survival is tough for them. However,
being ousted from Russia and having already experienced huge damage,
I would rather have our guys not fall for the temptation of a possible
return to Russian markets. Usually when Georgia makes concessions we
receive nothing in return." "Of course
they do. I don't think that's the question here. But I do think the
issue is what concessions we'll make to be admitted back to the Russian
market. Honestly, I think they're messing us around, and neither the
government nor businesses should pin their hopes on the embargo being
lifted. It's time to pursue the more difficult but worthwhile path to
Western markets." "No way. This
time, I back the government decision, though they should also take steps
to help businesses suffering because of Russia. It's necessary to preserve
the wine culture, even at the expense of subsidising peasants and agriculture.
And of course, easing taxes on industries that suffer from the embargo." "I don't think
Georgia has to make any kind of concessions to Russia. In my opinion,
the Georgian economy will develop even without the Russian market. Maybe
it will be more difficult, but we will think more about the export of
our goods to Europe." "Georgian
business needs the Russian market, as badly as it needs any other market.
To gain a new market, you must be smart. You should bargain. You shouldn't
make political concessions to anyone, particularly to Russia, because
that's blackmailing Georgia. We should show to the rest of the world
that we can survive without Russia. Then, Russia will finally realize
it has a good neighbour on its southern borders." "I think the
Georgian economy is losing a lot without the Russian market, and it's
difficult to export to Europe-it's just not practical for every business,
especially smaller ones. Because of Russia's embargo, lots of businesses
have been destroyed and some merchants have lost their only source of
income. Our government has to do everything it can to help them, even
if it means making concessions."
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The Minister
of Economic Development, Giorgi Arveladze, recently announced that Georgia's
economy is doing just fine without selling its goods on the Russian
market. 