Association of Business Consulting Organizations of Georgia ABCO-Georgia

7, Kipshidze str., Tbilisi, 0162, Georgia Tel: + (995 32) 999077; 250085
Fax: + (995 32) 93 35 39; E-mail: office@abco.e; web-site:www. abco.caucasus.net

Association of Business Consulting Organizations of Georgia

ABCO-Georgia
The Association of Business Consulting Organizations of Georgia, "ABCO-Georgia" was established in
October 2001, with purpose to promote and co-ordinate the development of business consulting services in
Georgia.
The ultimate goal of the Association is, through facilitation to development of the existing and creation of
new business-consulting organizations (BCOs) in Georgia, to support the overall upswing of local
entrepreneurship, proper development of the existing enterprises and by increasing the knowledge and
experience of local SME managers, help the entire private business sector of Georgia to reach a new higher
level.
Proceeding from the above task, ABCOGeorgia defines its objectives as follows:
Facilitation to existed Georgian BCOs in building of their capacities, their provision with necessary
financial, methodological and technical support in order to increase the efficiency of their operations;
Initiation of and facilitation to creation and development of new BCOs in various regions of Georgia;
Support and coordination of the Association member BCOs individual activities and joint projects,
assistance in attraction of the necessary financing for implementation of their specific projects;
Initiation, development and implementation of various business development projects, combining and
employing the technical, financial and human resources of the Association and its member
organizations;
Co-operation with international donor and development organizations in formulation of more focused
and results-oriented SME development programs in Georgia in order to more efficiently utilize the
available donor resources;
Representation and protection of ABCOs member organizationss interests in Georgia and abroad,
their assistance in establishing contacts with potential foreign partners, investors and donor
organizations in order to more efficiently provide their relevant services to local SME sector;
Through the association network, provision of local SMEs with large scope of consulting, training,
informational, technical and other sorts of assistance and services.
The Association network covers the territory of almost whole Georgia. Currently, the membership of
ABCO-Georgia includes the following organizations:

Small & Medium Enterprise Development Agency "Smeda-Tbilisi" (Tbilisi);

CERMA-Consulting (Tbilisi);
Georgian Business Incubator (Tbilisi);
Business Support Center "BSC-Kutaisi"(Kutaisi);
Gori Business Center (Gori);
Signagi Agro-Business Center (Tsnori);
Akhaltsikhe Business Center "ABC"(Akhaltsikhe);
Akhaltsikhe Rural Service Center "ARSC"(Akhaltsikhe);
Guria Agro-Business Center (Ozurgeti);
Small
Business
and
International
Business
Relations
Support
"Abkhazinterkonti"(Kutaisi);
Association "ATINATI" (Zugdidi);
Association "SAMANI" (Samtredia);

Foundation

Business and Legal Development Center (Chiatura);

Small Business Development Center (Zestaphoni);
Georgian Women's Employment Supporting Association "AMAGDARI" (Tbilisi);
Rustavi Business Center (Rustavi);
Akhalkalaki Business Center (Akhalkalaki);
Marneuli Business Center (Marneuli);
Union of Employment and Small Business Development (Telavi);
The Chamber of Development of Small and Medium Enterprises (Poti);
Mtskheta Mtianeti Business Consulting Center (Dusheti);
Borjomi Business Consulting Center (Borjomi);
Svaneti Biseness Center (Mestia);
Georgian Farm Products Production and Promotion Agency GFPA (Tbilisi)
Association Caucasus Genetics (Tsnori);
Akhalgori Business Support Center (Akhalgori);
GDCI Consulting (Tbilisi);
BCNG Batumi;
BCNG Zugdidi Business Consulting;
Martvili Agro Service Center (Martvili).

All the above listed member organizations of "ABCO-Georgia" are well-established and reliable business
consultancy providers in Georgia. Their combined experience includes considerable number of the business
- development projects successfully implemented and managed in various regions of Georgia.
The vast majority of the staff consultants in the Association member organizations are well experienced and
western-educated, having been trained by and having under-gone the appropriate on- the job training and
internships in the leading European business consulting organizations.
As result, they are familiar with both Western and Georgian business practices and environment and as
trainers and consultants, employ highly practical, hands-on approach to local business problems and their
solutions.
It also should be mentioned that in addition to the qualified and experienced staff consultants of its member
organizations, the Association as well employs the carefully selected pool of free-lance experts which
unites about 200 professional advisors in various industries.
The number of the Associations member organizations is permanently increasing and for the nearest
future, there are few new BCOs (Business Centers, Agro-Business Centers) planned for creation in different
regions of Georgia, by initiative of ABCO-Georgia and with financial support from various international
donor organizations.
The scope of services currently rendered by ABCO-Georgias member organizations can be summarized
as follows:

Wide scope of business consulting services to local enterprises,

including:

Business planning and investment planning;

Company restructuring and development;
training workshops for start- ups and other target groups;
Human resource development;
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Strategic planning;
Feasibility and pre-feasibility studies;
Market studies and industry surveys;
New product development and promotion;
Economic strategy development and regional studies;
Agriculture sector survey and analysis;
Support and development of agricultural projects;
Consulting on issue and monitoring of small loans and small grants;

Wide scope of business - training courses, workshops and seminars, including :

General type business training programs;
Business trainings specifically tailored to needs of various target groups (start-ups, farmers,
women, youth, IDPs, etc);

Specifically tailored training workshops for business centers, credit unions and similar business
service entities;

Facilitation to creation and development of Business Centers, Agro-business Centers, Rural

Service Center, Community Based Organizations (CBOs), Associations, Cooperatives and
other entities in rural areas of Georgia and support of the community beneficiary business
projects developed by these organizations;
Management and monitoring of various business/agribusiness development projects funded by
international donors, both independently and in cooperation with international partner
organizations;
Protection and advocacy of interests of local business consulting organizations members of
the ABCO-Georgia.

Below are listed projects implemented by and with active participation of ABCO-Georgia and its member
organizations over the recent years:

2011 -2014 - together with the Swiss NGO HEKS EPER : the project of Rural Development
Project in Kakheti, funded by SDC. The project concerns support of the livestock and dairy
production in Kakheti region of Georgia.

2010-2011 together with Caritas Czech Republic: COBERM (Confidence Building Early
Response Mechanism) project on "Supporting Joint Livelihood Activities among Local Population
from the Currently Occupied Akhalgori District and the Adjacent District of Georgia" funded by
EU and administered by UNDP. The specific aim of the action is to demonstrate the benefits of
peaceful and collaborative joint efforts of local people of the currently confronted nationalities in
addressing their livelihood problems, improving their economic sustainability in particular. The
project provides for establishment of a small enterprise for processing of raw berries and fruits and
production of value added products such as jams, marmalades/comfitures, preserves, etc., which
will be owned and operated by the specially formed Association consisting of members
representing local rural population of Georgian, Ossetian (as well as of any other) nationality
residing within the villages/ communities across both sides of the conflict zone divide.
2010-2012 together with the Swiss NGO HEKS EPER : the project of Improve the living
conditions of the population of the Akhaltsikhe, Aspindza and Adigeni districts of SamtskheJavakheti Region of Georgia. The project provides for the improvement of livelihoods of the
population in the above 3 target districts by providing new income generation opportunities through
such activities as facilitation to the establishment and development of local farmers associations,
particularly, Potato Growers Association and Beekeepers Association. Within the project, target
groups of local potato producer farmers and beekeepers are provided with necessary assistance
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including capacity building actions through relevant training programs and consultancy,
ensuring farmers access to quality seeds and other farming inputs, storage of the harvested
products, establishment of market linkages, etc.

2010-2011 - together with the Mercy Corps: the project of Strengthening Community Based
Farmers' Groups and Agricultural Services in Samstkhe-Javakheti. Project is financed under the
EC program Non-State Actors and Local Authorities in Development.
The overall purpose of the project provides for development of the sustainable extension/consulting
services by local agricultural service providers and farmers groups, enabling small scale farmers in
Samtskhe-Javakheti to increase incomes and productivity in the agricultural sector.
The specific objectives include increase of capacities of local farmers groups, agricultural service
providers to collaborate effectively in delivering relevant services to small-scale
farmers and farmers groups in Samstkhe-Javakheti.

2010 - together with Caritas Czech Republic: the project of Capacity Building of Martvili Agro
Service Center (MASC). Project was sponsored by the Czech Development Agency. Within the
project, ABCO implemented the special training program for the staff of MASC as well as
developed for the MASC the Business Plan for the next 3 years of operation and the Strategic
Development Plan. Trainers of the MASC also received on-the-job training in animal husbandry
and cereals growing.

2009-2010 - together with Caritas Czech Republic and Caritas Georgia: the project of Enhance
Effectiveness of Small Peasants Economy in Georgia implemented in Akhaltsikhe and Adigeni
districts of Samtskhe-Javakheti region of Georgia. The project is supported by the program Official Development Assistance of the Czech Republic. Project is focused on the following Three
directions: a) support and creation of cheese processing activities in the targeted districts; b)support
to creation of a fruit processing micro enterprise; Capacity building of Akhaltsike Rural Service
Centre, Creation of Sunday School for youths in Animal Husbandry, Serials and vegetable
growing.

2010 - Through the sponsorship from the Czech Development Agency, delivered ToT training for
the staff of Matvili Rural Service Center in animal husbandry, corn, potato, cucumber and tomato
growing.

2009 - Through the sponsorship from the Czech Development Agency, delivered series of
trainings for local farmers in Animal feeding and feed production, corn, wheat, barley and potato
growing. Project was implemented together with Caritas Czech Republic.

2010 - Delivered ToT training for the staff of Martvili Rural Service Center in animal
husbandry, corn, potato, cucumber and tomato growing. Project was sponsored by the Czech
Development Agency.

2010 - Delivered series of trainings for local farmers in animal feeding and feed production, corn,
wheat, barley and potato growing. Project was together with Caritas Czech Republic, through the
sponsorship from the Czech Development Agency.

2009 - ABCO-Georgia, together with CHF, in frame of the USAID funded GELS program,
conducted 11 trainings (duration of each - 4 days) and the follow-up consultations in business
planning for groups of IDPs pre-selected by CHF. The aim of the program was to implement an
income generation project to help jump-start peoples new livelihood. The delivered training
program provided for teaching IDPs as how to start and successfully operate small business. It
consisted of two parts, the first half devoted to transfer of theoretical materials and practical skills
in writing business plans to all beneficiaries and the second half included provision of direct
consultations to each beneficiary trainee for implementation of their particular business plans.
During the program, total number of 167 IDPs was trained and the relevant business plans were

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prepared. From these, 163 Business plans were supported and financed by CHF International. The
above 163 business plans represented wide range of business activity and included such different
business spheres: service (beauty parlor/hairdressers shop, shoe repair, etc.), handicraft,
production(food, textile), agriculture (livestock/poultry/rabbit farming, beekeeping; trade (imported
clothes, food products, glassware, ironware, plastic items, newspapers/magazines, bakery
operation, etc.) Many of the above businesses were turning a profit almost immediately since they
were providing services that each of the IDP settlements really needed.

2009 - through the sub-grant from international organization HEKS EPER: the project of
Livelihood Rehabilitation in Gori region which aims at providing help to IDPs returning home to
areas affected by the conflict (buffer zone) in finding long-term solution for the livelihood
recovery. ABCO Georgia s role within the project objectives includes conducting of the relevant
works in the areas of a) Food security Economic recovery (provision of 160 war affected returning
families with machinery to mitigate the problem of food shortage) and b) Capacity building
(facilitation and fostering to food security by providing the appropriate trainings (community
development, participatory approaches, small farm development) for 2 villages (Tkviavi and
Dzevera).

2008-2009 - together with the Swiss NGO HEKS-EPER : The project of Sustainable development
of mountain region in Georgia and Azerbaijan Phase III. The main task of ABCO-Georgia
within this project included: increase of milk production through improving efficiency of animal
husbandries management; creation of pilot economical opportunities and establishing marketing
chain for selected communities; developing the local organization Aspindza Union in order to
ensure its sustainability and efficiency beyond the end of the program. Project is financed by SDC.

2007-2009 Implementation of 10 sets (five days each) of training programs in Business Skills
For Cattle Farmers, within the framework of the GTZ project to support Value Adding in
Agriculture. Within the project, seven sets of trainings were conducted in Aspindza and 3 trainings
in Ninitsminda districts of Samtskhe-Javakheti region of Georgia.

2007-2008 - through sub-grant from international organization UMCOR : the project of Modern
Agricultural Quest (MAQ) carried out by UMCOR and funded by the United States Department for
Agriculture (USDA). The project aimed at improving the existing agricultural production and
marketing facilities in Samtskhe-Javakheti and Shida Kartli regions, through using the proceeds
from the sales of monetized local commodities. Key activities included procurement and training
on usage of small-scale modern food processing and packaging equipment for new and established
agricultural enterprises and farmer suppliers in selected communities. Project focused on
supporting the expansion of dairy, fruits, and vegetables production through provision of new
equipment for raw product processing and packaging.
The role of ABCO-Georgia in the project implementation implied provision of wide scope of the
Business Training and Consulting services for the existing and newly established agriculture and
food production/processing enterprises and individual farmers.

2007 Development of two market study documents by order from CARE: 1) Market Study For
Pork, Beef and Honey Products in Georgia; 2)Market Study for Potato and Vegetables products in
Georgia.

2006 2008 - together with CARE Caucasus: the project on Sustainable Livelihoods in Adigeni
and Adjacent Rayons (SLAAR 2), implemented in Samtskhe-Javakheti region of Georgia and
aimed at achieving the sustainable improvements in livelihoods of rural people and reduction of
poverty in the highland areas of Georgia. ABCOs role in the project implementation implied
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facilitation to farmers, small rural businesses, unemployed people and community groups in target
districts in creating new and increasing the efficiency of the existed businesses, establishment of
market linkages for local productions, etc.

2006 2007 - together with CARE Caucasus: the project on Community Investment Program
(CIP-2) aimed at achieving of sustainable social-economical development of communities located
along the BTC (Baku Tbilisi Ceyhan) and SCP Oil and Gas pipelines through ensuring the
improvement of the livelihood and employment of local population and strengthening of local civic
society. ABCOs role in the project implementation included provision of its economic
development part through activities aimed at facilitation of increasing the efficiency of the existed
businesses and creation and development of new businesses for women, establishment of market
linkages for local productions, etc. The project purpose was to enhance relations between BP and
the communities located along the pipeline through improved livelihood security and employment,
and the strengthened civil society.

2006 2008 - implementation of the business training and consulting programs for the participants
of the Georgia Returns Project (GRP) implemented by World Vision through funding from Swiss
government which provided for facilitation to the assisted voluntary return and reintegration to
Georgia of those asylum seekers from Georgia, who have applied for asylum in Switzerland.
Within the above training programs implemented during the period of September 2006 - March
2008, ABCO-Georgia delivered business training to total number of 40 participants and provided
qualified assistance in elaboration of total of 38 business plans by program recipients.

2006 2008 - implementation of the business training and consulting programs for the participants
of the Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) and Reintegration project implemented in Georgia by
International Organization for Migration (IOM) and financed by the Home Office of the UK and
the European Refugee Fund.
The project aimed at helping migrants from Georgia residing in Great Britain and seeking asylum
there to return and reintegrate successfully into Georgia through identifying income generating
activities (by employment and starting small scale businesses) to become financially independent
and settle successfully.
Within the above training programs implemented during the period of October 2006 - June 2008,
ABCO-Georgia delivered business training to total number of 54 participants and provided
qualified assistance in elaboration of total of 40 business plans by program beneficiaries.

2006 - through the grant from Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
(OSCE) Mission to Georgia: the project on Youths Business Development. The project
was carried out in Samtskhe-Javakheti region of Georgia and aimed at facilitation to the
increase of business development opportunities among local youth by equipping the
determined number of students (both post and under graduates) of local branch of Tbilisi
State University with theoretical knowledge and core set of practical skills in modern
business planning and conduct through delivery of specifically designed training program
for youth that stimulate further establishment and development of their business activities
and help to form a stable source of income for themselves and their families. The project
included provision of the selected number of students proposing the viable business
ideas, with direct individual business consulting services from the qualified consultants of ABCOGeorgia in order to help them to elaborate a proper business plan for their chosen activity.
The final stage of the program included holding of a competition among the business plans
developed by students with purpose of selecting the most feasible business plans for further
financing from the project partner organization TAO Foundation.

2006 2007 - together with Winrock International: the project of Georgia Rural Energy Project
aimed at increasing the energy (both grid and off-grid) supply in rural areas, improvement of incountry capacity in rural energy and alternative energy application as well as improvement of local
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capacity to utilize and protect the local energy resource base. ABCOs role in the project included
the following scope of works: project promotion and site selection, development and delivery of
business plan training and general business training programs, preparation of business profiles and
completion of credit applications for targeted local Independent Power Providers (IPPs), evaluation
of target communities income generation potential as well as provision of general project support.

2006 - 2009 - together with Mercy Corps: the project of Integrated Poverty Reduction Program in
Vulnerable Rural Communities of Samtskhe Javakheti Region implemented through the grant
from European Commission. ABCOs role in the project included implementation of its economic
development component (development of local enterprises and farmer organizations, establishment
of market linkages and chains for local enterprises with central markets, re-integration of local
economic activities into the whole country economy, etc.) and provision of technical assistance in
local economic planning;

2005-2006 - together with Urban Institute: implementation of the Economic Development

Planning (EDP) component within the project of Communities Empowered for Local Decisionmaking (CELD) program. ABCO-Georgia participated in the EDP manual preparation by
development of written recommendations on revisions to the EDP process manual to bring the
manual contents in compliance with the CELD Economic Development Planning concept.
Furthermore, ABCO-Georgia developed the guidebook on Doing Business in Georgia", updated
The International Funds Guide", developed the concepts, possible models for Georgia and
business plans of such entities as Municipal One-Stop Shop, Business Information Center and
Tourist Information Center. The Association assisted UI in implementation of the Economic
Development Program in Akhaltsikhe district of Samtskhe-Javalketi region and in other target areas
in Kvemo Kartli region of Georgia;

2005 together with International Centre for Civic Culture (ICCC) and Centre for Training and
Consultancy (CTC), ABCO implemented Project on Establishment of the Training Centre within
the Framework of the Womens Regional Centre in Samtskhe-Javakheti. Project was financed by
UNDPs Samtskhe-Javakheti Integrated Development Program. The task of ABCO-Georgia within
this project included preparation of staff business trainers and business consultants for the Business
Centre.

2005 delivery of the training program for the Gali Business Center. Within the program, 12
selected persons from Gali district were provided with 10 days long Training of Trainers (ToT)
training course in Business Planning, followed by 20 days of on-the-job training at the offices of
ABCO-Georgia and its member organizations (Akhaltsikhe Business Center and Akhalkalaki
Business Center). As result of the ToT course, 5 people were selected for the staff of Gali Business
Center;

2004-2005 - together with Winrock International : the project on Market Assessment of SME
Activities in Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in Georgia. Project was funded by the
IFC/GRF within the Environmental Business Finance Program (EBFP).

2004 implementation of the Training and Consulting component of the State Program for
Temporary and Permanent Employment of the Unemployed Persons for the year 2004. Within the
program framework 249 registered unemployed persons were trained and provided with direct
consulting in business planning. As result of the program implementation, business plans were
developed by 120 participants. The training and consulting component of this program for the year
2004 was sponsored by UNDP.

2004 evaluation of the economic impact of community development projects implemented by

Mercy Corps within the frame of Georgia Community Mobilization Initiative (GCMI) program. In

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total, 18 different projects from Kvemo Kartli, Shida Kartli and Samtskhe Javakheti regions were
evaluated.

2004 implementation of the Borrowers Training Course conducted within the Credit Facility
component of the USAID funded Georgia Energy Security Initiative (GESI) project carried out in
Georgia by PA Consulting Group. The project provided for building of the private business
development capacities and creditworthiness among entrepreneurs and small and medium
enterprises in 10 target communities from different localities of Georgia, to assist them in accessing
finance for improving business opportunities through the use or provision of clean energy. The task
of ABCO-Georgia within the above project included provision of training to selected local
entrepreneurs with subsequent preparation of at least 100 credit applications (10 per each
community) for development of local businesses with total worth of credit applications amounting
to USD 2,962,139.00. All the tasks within the project were successfully accomplished.

2004 implementation of a Training of Trainers course within the program Training for Young
Entrepreneurs, ordered and financed by OSCE and GTZ. Within the framework of the program,
training materials delivered by OSCE were translated into Georgian, Russian and Azerbaijan
languages and adapted to Georgian reality. This training program was delivered for staff
consultants of Marneuli and Rustavi business centers.

2004 delivery of 7 training courses for local communities in Business Planning, Marketing and
financial Planning in Tbilisi, Kakheti, Gori and Akhaltsikhe for Mercy Corps GCMI Economic
Development Program.

2003 - 2004 implementation of the Credit Facilitation Project under which large number of
private companies in Gori region of Georgia were be trained and individually consulted in order to
enhance their credit utilization opportunities and strengthen their loan management capabilities.
This 9 months period project was initiated and funded by the Eurasia Foundation.

2003 - together with Horizonti Foundation: implementation of the USAID funded Georgian Energy
Security Initiative (GESI) program managed by PA Consulting Group. The project implied
provision of the selected communities from different regions of Georgia with support and
facilitation in development of their own stable sources of energy supply, income generation
capabilities and the overall community development. The task of ABCO Georgia within the
project included implementation of its economic part - elaboration of the economic development
strategy for target communities, assistance in preparation of concrete economic and business
project and provision of business training in accordance with the above strategy;

2003 - within the framework of the World Banks Irrigation Project, implementation of the
business training program in the areas of General Agriculture, Agricultural Business Management,
Organizational Development, Financial Management and Accounting. The program covered the
whole territory of Georgia;

2003 implementation of the Training and Consulting component of the State Program for
Temporary and Permanent Employment of the Unemployed Persons. Under the above program,
452 registered unemployed persons were selected (through testing), subsequently trained and
provided with direct consulting in business planning. As result of the program implementation,
business plans were developed by 208 participants and 98 unempoyed persons receved bank loans
and started their own business. At the same time, consulting was provided for those entrepreneurs
as well, which prepared their business plans within the framework of the state program for
"Facilitation of Social Security and Employment of the Unemployed". At the stage of loan
allocation and project implementation, consulting was provided for both established businessmen
(considered within the scope of the program) and to former unemployed persons which started
viii

their entreprises. This training and consulting program was tied with a credit-line, implemented
through the "Bank of Georgia";

2002 creation/facilitated to creation of the following new Business Consulting Organizations

(BCOs) in Kvemo Kartli region - Rustavi Business Center (in town Rustavi) and Marneuli
Business Center (in town Marneuli) - through financial support from GTZ) as well as Akhalkalaki
Business Center in town Akhalkalaki of Samtskhe-Javakheti region through financial support
from OSGF - Soros Foundation);

2002 implementation of the Training and Consulting component of the State Program for
Temporary and Permanent Employment of the Unemployed Persons. Under the above program,
234 registered unemployed persons were selected (through testing), subsequently trained and
provided with direct consulting in business planning. As result of the program implementation, 110
business plans were developed by participants and 52 unempoyed persons receved bank loans and
started their own business. At the same time, consulting was provided for those entrepreneurs as
well, which prepared their business plans within the framework of the state program for
"Facilitation of Social Security and Employment of the Unemployed". At the stage of loan
allocation and project implementation, consulting was provided for both established businessmen
(considered within the scope of the program) and to former unemployed persons who had started
their small businesses. This training and consulting program was tied to a credit-line provided
through "Bank of Georgia";

2002 delivery of 2 training sessions on Business Planing, Marketing and financial Planning in
districts of Akhalkalaki and Akhaltsikhe for IOMs (International Organization of Migration)
Micro Finance Program.

2001 implementation of Global Training for Development sponsored by USAID through

Academy of Educational Development (AED). The program was conducted in the regions of
Samtskhe-Javakheti and Guria where more than 500 local farmers and private entrepreneurs were
trained in different areas of modern business conduct. This training program was conducted for the
credit line of the International Orthodox Church Charities (IOCC);

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