A groundbreaking B2B forum, aimed at fortifying small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), was recently hosted through the collaborative efforts of the Bank of Georgia, USAID Economic Security Program, Gepra, and Kudos Georgia. The forum welcomed 60 participating entrepreneurs and client companies from diverse sectors including tourism, light industry, intellectual services, creative industries, and solid waste management.

Designed to serve as an incubator for future cooperation, the event facilitated one-on-one meetings between prospective producers and buyers. Zurab Masurashvili, head of the Small and Medium Business Department at the Bank of Georgia, remarked, "We are committed to bolstering SMEs by helping them identify dependable partners. Participation in such initiatives aligns perfectly with our goal to continually enhance the business sector."

Davit Tsiklauri, USAID/Georgia's Senior Advisor for Private Sector Development, emphasized the long-term relationships the forum aims to cultivate: "We've been working with these target sectors for four years. The forum is an invaluable platform where entrepreneurs can establish strong future ties with potential buyers."

Kakha Maghradze, Senior Consultant at Gepra, noted, "The forum's objective is to augment avenues for SMEs to communicate their offerings and forge new business alliances. Despite the digital era offering various channels for outreach, direct communication remains irreplaceable for establishing genuine relationships."

Aleksandre Margishvili, Co-founder of Kudos Georgia, rounded out the conversation by underscoring the necessity for personal contacts in business development. "The digital realm is not a sufficient avenue for brand promotion. The forum provides the much-needed space for companies to meet potential customers in a face-to-face setting.

For more information about the event click here: