The News in Brief
Wednesday, March 30, 2022
Prepared by the Messenger Staff
Viber Opens Tbilisi Office
The leading global company in the field of private and secure messaging and voice communication Rakuten Viber enters Georgia and opens an office in Tbilisi. Its work will be focused on the development of mobile applications in Georgia.
The Minister of Economy Levan Davitashvili has already met with the CEO of RakutenViber Ofir Eyal and discussed with him the directions of the international technology company in Georgia.
According to Davitashvili, the opening of the company's operational office in Tbilisi is a good opportunity for local IT engineers to work in a global company such as RakutenViber. The entry of a brand of this scale and recognition in Georgia will be a new incentive for actors interested in the development of high-tech business in the country.
“The arrival of Rakuten Viber in Georgia will be an important message for other global technology giants to consider Georgia as a high-potential direction for expanding their businesses and making new investments,” the Ministry said.
The company will have employees in Tbilisi who, among other areas, will work on refining and developing software compatible with iOS and Android systems and improving the quality of software. Rakuten Viber has 500 employees worldwide.
Viber is one of the most popular VoIP platforms in Georgia, with a significant customer base - 1.7 million active users in the country with a total population of 3.7 million.
Gov’t Launches Second Phase Of Collecting Humanitarian Aid To Ukraine
As the Georgian Government announced on Monday, the collection of the second consignment of humanitarian aid for the Ukrainian people has started in Georgia's regions. As the statement notes, the process is implemented with engagement from State Representatives, the Government's Regional Liaison Department, businesses, and the civil sector.
The delivery includes the collection of 120 tons of goods from across Georgia, including 90 tons from the regions. The package mostly consists of medical items, non-perishable products, and essential goods.
According to the Government administration, humanitarian aid mobilized in the regions of eastern Georgia has been stored at a Georgian Post Terminal in the capital Tbilisi and after completing relevant procedures, they will be sent to Ukraine by land. As for mobilizing goods in Western Georgia, the process continues and the goods will be ready for shipment to Ukraine by the end of this week.
The Embassy of Ukraine has thanked Georgia for assisting Ukraine and sheltering the Ukrainian citizens. According to the embassy, 710 tons of aid had been already sent from Georgia to aid the Ukrainian people. The embassy’s account has also received donations of 985 000 GEL, over $45,000, and Euro1,500.
Government Accuses President Office of Lying
According to the Georgian government, one of the media outlets, based on the administration of the President of Georgia, disseminated information that “does not reflect the real picture.”
In particular, the government claims that in the last year the President has repeatedly left unanswered the candidates for ambassadors nominated by the government. The president denies this and says he issued an ordinance appointing 12 ambassadors.
“Recently, the issue of candidates for ambassadors/heads of mission nominated by the Georgian government has been repeatedly rejected or left unanswered by the President.
“It should also be emphasized that the Constitution of Georgia gives the government the exclusive right to conduct foreign policy, which also includes the appointment of ambassadors and permanent representatives to missions, and it is critical that ambassadors to Georgian diplomatic missions abroad are appointed in a timely manner and ensure continuity, which, in the light of this challenge, is a real problem and needs a timely solution,” the government said in the statement.
This was soon answered by Salome Zurabishvili's administration, where it is written that accusing the president or his administration of lies, which lacks politeness and any grounds, causes unwanted tension in society when much more key issues are resolved around us.
“The administration of the President of Georgia reiterates: from January 1, 2021, to March 21, 2022, the government has nominated 12 candidates for the post of Ambassador and Head of the Diplomatic Mission, and the President has issued a decree appointing all twelve.”
Viber Opens Tbilisi Office
The Minister of Economy Levan Davitashvili has already met with the CEO of RakutenViber Ofir Eyal and discussed with him the directions of the international technology company in Georgia.
According to Davitashvili, the opening of the company's operational office in Tbilisi is a good opportunity for local IT engineers to work in a global company such as RakutenViber. The entry of a brand of this scale and recognition in Georgia will be a new incentive for actors interested in the development of high-tech business in the country.
“The arrival of Rakuten Viber in Georgia will be an important message for other global technology giants to consider Georgia as a high-potential direction for expanding their businesses and making new investments,” the Ministry said.
The company will have employees in Tbilisi who, among other areas, will work on refining and developing software compatible with iOS and Android systems and improving the quality of software. Rakuten Viber has 500 employees worldwide.
Viber is one of the most popular VoIP platforms in Georgia, with a significant customer base - 1.7 million active users in the country with a total population of 3.7 million.
Gov’t Launches Second Phase Of Collecting Humanitarian Aid To Ukraine
As the Georgian Government announced on Monday, the collection of the second consignment of humanitarian aid for the Ukrainian people has started in Georgia's regions. As the statement notes, the process is implemented with engagement from State Representatives, the Government's Regional Liaison Department, businesses, and the civil sector.
The delivery includes the collection of 120 tons of goods from across Georgia, including 90 tons from the regions. The package mostly consists of medical items, non-perishable products, and essential goods.
According to the Government administration, humanitarian aid mobilized in the regions of eastern Georgia has been stored at a Georgian Post Terminal in the capital Tbilisi and after completing relevant procedures, they will be sent to Ukraine by land. As for mobilizing goods in Western Georgia, the process continues and the goods will be ready for shipment to Ukraine by the end of this week.
The Embassy of Ukraine has thanked Georgia for assisting Ukraine and sheltering the Ukrainian citizens. According to the embassy, 710 tons of aid had been already sent from Georgia to aid the Ukrainian people. The embassy’s account has also received donations of 985 000 GEL, over $45,000, and Euro1,500.
Government Accuses President Office of Lying
According to the Georgian government, one of the media outlets, based on the administration of the President of Georgia, disseminated information that “does not reflect the real picture.”
In particular, the government claims that in the last year the President has repeatedly left unanswered the candidates for ambassadors nominated by the government. The president denies this and says he issued an ordinance appointing 12 ambassadors.
“Recently, the issue of candidates for ambassadors/heads of mission nominated by the Georgian government has been repeatedly rejected or left unanswered by the President.
“It should also be emphasized that the Constitution of Georgia gives the government the exclusive right to conduct foreign policy, which also includes the appointment of ambassadors and permanent representatives to missions, and it is critical that ambassadors to Georgian diplomatic missions abroad are appointed in a timely manner and ensure continuity, which, in the light of this challenge, is a real problem and needs a timely solution,” the government said in the statement.
This was soon answered by Salome Zurabishvili's administration, where it is written that accusing the president or his administration of lies, which lacks politeness and any grounds, causes unwanted tension in society when much more key issues are resolved around us.
“The administration of the President of Georgia reiterates: from January 1, 2021, to March 21, 2022, the government has nominated 12 candidates for the post of Ambassador and Head of the Diplomatic Mission, and the President has issued a decree appointing all twelve.”