USAID Supports SME Development - Launch of Gori Business Support Organization

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Gori – On September 28, 2006 at 3:00 pm, an IESC implemented SME Support Project, supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Georgian Rural Development Fund will host the Launch of Gori Business Support Organization to be held in Kalakuri Recreation Center at 129, D.Agmashenebeli Street, Gori.

The SME Support Project, in pursuit of its objective to promote the growth and development of small and medium-sized enterprises in Georgia, has recently set up a network of Business Support Organizations (BSOs) throughout Georgia by utilizing existing business associations in Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, Zugdidi and Telavi. As for Gori BSO, it has been established on the basis of the Georgian Rural Development Fund which has the experience and capacity to perform the BSO functions.

Speaking at the launch will be David Gosney, Director, Office of Economic Growth, USAID/Caucasus; Dan A. Berkshire, Chief of Party, SME Support Project; Zurab Jirkvelisvili, Project Manager, Gori Business Support Organization; representatives of both local administration and businesses.

The objectives, Business Support Organizations are focused on are to provide business consultations on regulatory and legislative issues, management, business planning and borrowing, to carry out investment and trade promotion services, to support a public-private dialogue, to render informational services as well as any other assistance as required by SMEs. Through Business Support Organizations SMEs in Georgia and in Shida Kartli, in particular, will receive business consulting from knowledgeable sources that are well-trained in entrepreneurship and the local business climate.

The SME Support Project (implemented by International Executive Service Corps) is a USAID supported project known for its innovative efforts in building on some of the business associations’ support to promote the growth of economic activity and private sector development. Improving the general business climate by building an economic development capacity for business associations is part of the project’s agenda.