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BUSINESS
GEORGIA TODAY
MAY 24 - 26, 2016
300 Digital Library Spots to Appear in Tbilisi in 2016
Source: www.advantagecs.com
BY EKA KARSAULIDZE
S
aba Digital Book House has launched a new project which aims to turn the Georgian capital into a library by giving an opportunity for everyone to enjoy literature via their own electronic device. The spots, which offer electronic books, will be located throughout Tbilisi from December 2016. Project organizers say that 300 digital library spots will be installed on the main streets and parks, near museums, libraries and other cultural institutions, as well as in the Metro. Each digital library will have unique QR codes to download books by both famous Georgian and foreign authors and read them on a mobile device any time using the Saba Reader mobile application, even without an internet connection.
The books will be available to download in text and audio form, enabling even people with visual disabilities to make use of the service. “Young people have less time for books, so we want to get books on their digital devices as well as in their lives,” said Rati Amaglobeli, founder of Saba Digital Book House. The project will be implemented with the support of Tbilisi City Hall and the President’s Fund. In its turn, City Hall announced a competition to create a design for the digital library spots. Offers will be accepted until June 1. The winning design will be installed at appropriate locations on Machabeli and Tabidze streets, Rustaveli Avenue and other places around the city. The Saba Digital Book House has an extended library of over 3000 digital books including contemporary and classical literature by both Georgian and foreign authors.
EBRD Names Bank of Georgia Most Active Issuing Bank in 2015
T
he European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has named Bank of Georgia as the country’s most active issuing bank for 2015. The Bank of Georgia was awarded in a framework of the awarding best providers of trade financing in the world program. The EBRD’s TFP, launched in 1999, promotes foreign transactions to, from and amongst the bank’s countries of operation and offers a range of products to facilitate trade. Through the program, the EBRD provides guarantees to international confirming banks by taking the political and commercial payment risk of international trade transactions undertaken by banks in those countries where they have an active issuing presence. The EBRD has thus far supported over 18,400 transactions, totalling more than €12.8 billion.
Tbilisi to Host 2nd Seed Forum BY EKA KARSAULIDZE
T
he second Seed Forum Investment Conference will take place on May 24 in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi. The conference gives innovative Start- Ups the opportunity to perform in front of potential investors. Two participating companies will then be selected and have a chance
to visit other Seed Forums in New York, Oslo, Singapore and Dubai. The organizer of the first conference in December 2015, iHub Tbilisi, is responsible for putting together the second edition of the forum. iHub Tbilisi is a member of the Seed Forum Global Foundation, the world’s largest investment organization. It is supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and organizes investment conferences twice a year with its 46 membercountries.