On 24 September 2013, EUGBC Secretary General, Zviad Chumburidze and Executive Director, Tamar Khuntsaria held a meeting with the Deputy State Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Mariam Rakviashvili. The parties to the meeting discussed the ways of close cooperation of the Office of the State Minister and EUGBC.

The Deputy Minister stated that the partnership of the Office of the State Minister and EUGBC has been successfully going since the Council’s inception. She also pointed out that the Executive Director actively participates in the works of the Public Advisory Councilunder the Office of the State Minister.

Ms. Rakviashvili noted that the activities of the Council are extremely important as they promote regular dialogue of business community with the government and the EU, as well as help raise awareness of Georgian business community on the issues related to the EU approximation.

At the meeting, Deputy Minister informed that the government of Georgia has worked out a strategy on wider public outreach on the issues related to European integration. Ms. Rakviashvili proposed that EUGBC, as a European business association, takes a lead and coordinates the involvement of all business associations and chambers in the implementation of the strategy. EUGBC Executive Director commented that EUGBC’s DCFTA Working Group is the best format to support the proposed plan.

EUGBC Secretary General briefed the Deputy Minister on the planned activities of EUGBC. Mr. Chumburidze stressed that among many other projects the Council aims at organizing EUGBC Expo in Tbilisi and also in major European cities. In addition, EUGBC plans abusiness conference in Tbilisi next year. The Secretary General noted that the involvement of the Office of the State Minister in these important projects will be vital.

The parties agreed to plan a wider format meeting with the Office of the State Minister, involving Board and Members, sometime during next month.