Tbilisi Mayor declares business “free and untouchable” in Georgia, challenging critics to name single instance of state interference

Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze has asserted that, in stark contrast to previous years, businesses in Georgia now enjoy absolute freedom, a reality he claims is clearly mirrored in the country’s robust economic growth. Responding to a question regarding economic liberties, Kaladze stated that the “terror” previously inflicted upon the business community was conclusively brought to an end when Georgian Dream came to power in 2012.

“Today, business is absolutely free. The role of the business sector is extraordinary in ensuring that our country develops economically and moves forward. Naturally, the government, through its actions, strategic steps, and legislative initiatives, actively fosters an appealing and streamlined business environment where operations can be conducted with ease.

The dark practices that went on for years: the terror, the expropriation of property, the forced asset transfers, were firmly consigned to history the moment we took office in 2012. Today, business is completely protected, and anyone can run their enterprise transparently, easily, and within the framework of the law, entirely free from interference,” the Tbilisi Mayor stated.

Kaladze further explained that while anyone, including prominent business figures, is entirely free to express critical views on various issues, such dissent must remain within legal bounds and refrain from personal abuse.

“In this country today, anyone can express their attitude or opinion on absolutely any topic or direction. However, subjecting individuals to verbal abuse is categorically unacceptable. Someone may hold a completely different perspective, but that does not give them the right to raid someone’s social media profile and hurl insults. That is not freedom of speech or expression; it is sheer profanity and a crime. If a person wishes to voice their opinion, it must be done within the law, not through cursing and profanity. Freedom of expression is protected in this country like never before,” Kaladze noted.

The Mayor went on to emphasise that, regardless of an individual’s dissenting political views, there is not a single recorded instance of the current administration disrupting a businessman’s commercial operations.

“Every single business entity makes its own decisions on how to operate and what to do. Do you honestly believe that 100% of the business community supports Georgian Dream? Take, for instance, Mamuka Khazaradze, a major businessman and one of the principal backers of TV Pirveli, who owns a major development company right here in the capital. You cannot cite a single example of any obstruction he faced from either the municipality or the central government.

This is a testament to the fact that business today is free and untouchable. It is the direct result of the policies spearheaded by Bidzina Ivanishvili and enacted by Georgian Dream–Democratic Georgia. Let us not forget what happened years ago; just imagine what they would have done to any business owner back then if they had dared to finance the opposition openly, or the sheer ruin they would have faced,” the Tbilisi Mayor concluded.