Small business reduces its profit in Georgia and the Government is going to decrease the taxes

TBILISI, Georgia – When Arshavir Asatryan, 48, opened his small sausage factory in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi he decided to name it “Forward Products”. But his business has not been moving forward for a year. Before last August’s war with Russia Before the war with Russia his monthly turnover was 30.000 GEL, now it is 10.000 GEL.

Before the August war the worldwide financial crisis hadn’t really affected the Georgian economy, but after the conflict it became clear that Georgia would not be able to avoid its affects.  The downturn has hit small business particularly hard, so the government is trying to help them by cutting taxes.

“If before the war people bought 3 sausages a week, they now buy only one,” said Mr. Asatryan sitting at a table counting his profit for the day. He is watching Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili give a speech on TV. “I hope he will do something,” said Mr. Asatryan.

In December 2004 the government passed a new Tax Code reducing tax rates and the number of taxes from 21 to 7. At the same time it increased penalties for non-payment of taxes.

“Small business is competitive itself if there is a good environment for development. The government is going to reduce income tax to 15% in 2011 and 2012.  Till 2012 other types of taxes on personal profit will be non-existent and capital taxes will be abolished,” said Prime Minister Nika Gilauria at a meeting with students at the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs.  He added the development of small businesses is a priority for the government.

According to the new tax code profit tax is unchanged at 20%, income tax reduced from 20% to 12%, social tax from 31 % to 20% and VAT from 20% to 18%. Enterprises that have less than 100,000 GEL turnovers pay only income and profit tax.

A special place for everyone

TBILISI, Georgia-The way to Narikala fortress is almost destroyed. The workers are changing the pump system. If you don’t have enough patience and desire to see the fortress then it is better for you to stay at home. But if you anyway decide to go to Narikala then the best impressions will be guaranteed.

Narikala fortress. Photo by Marianna Pepanyan

Narikala fortress is situated on the high hill in the middle of the old Tbilisi. There can’t be better place for the whole overlook on Tbilisi. But this nice view is the least that you can expect, especially if you are as fan for the fortresses as I am.

 

The fortress’s walls are almost destroyed during the ages but it is still impressive. The church devoted to Saint Nicolas is surrounded with the walls of fortress. The narrow path guides you to the church. Before entering to the church it is worth full to walk around. Near the church there is a pretty present’s shop which is the art salon at the same time. The seller speaks only Georgian but understands a bit Russian and English. She is very ingenious and immediately invites me to the salon. At the opposite side of the salon is the priest’s cozy house.

Bright colors through the sorrow and sadness of the master

YEREVAN, Armenia- Martiros Saryan is the only one artist whose masterpieces gave me the same feeling in different periods of my life. I went to his memorial museum at school, university and always went away with the same feeling of happiness, calmness and with strong believe in good future. And now there are no changes. I was at his museum more than an hour and there is no second that I felt sadness or sorrow.

Martiros Saryan. The photo was taken in 1965.

Martiros Saryan was born in 1880 and dead in 1972. During his long life artist witnessed the two World Wars, Armenian Genocide and the death of his beloved son. But his art always stayed full with bright colors and with sense of love toward mankind.

In 1915 during the tragedy of Armenian nation he painted a huge nature mort. It is full of bright colors, especially with yellow. It is unbelievable that such kind of masterpiece with absolute harmony of color and light could be painted in such a hard period for the whole nation.

During another tragedy for the whole mankind master again painted a nature mort. In 1944 he finished his autumn nature mort. He painted a huge bunch of beautiful flowers and fruits. From the first glance I was surprised. How could the master paint such a “happy” picture in such an “unhappy” time? But otherwise it couldn’t be. Each flower in the huge bunch symbolized the soldiers fighting against the evil. They must be beautiful and full of colors. And the viewer would have a deep sense of peace.

Martiros Saryan was born in Nor Nakhijevan. He was born in a patriarchal family. There were nine children and Saryan was the seventh. “I don’t know when the artist was born in me. It was probably in those days when I used to listen to my parents’ stories about our mountains, enchanted country’’, wrote the master.

“We want changes”

TBILISI, Georgia – Before the crowds of young people whistling and yelling “Go, Go Misha,” before the pensioners, the politicians and other protesters marched down Rustaveli Avenue Thursday, one man stood quietly in front of Parliament in a priest’s hood.“It is my responsibility and obligation to stand in front of the people who fight for changes and ideas,” said Priest Rostom Patudze, who walked in front of Nino Burjanadze’s Democratic Movement United Georgia protest march, which left Tbilisi State University at noon, to get to parliament before the rest.

The only priest visible at the protest said he believes President Mikheil Saakashvili should resign and said he plans to stay with protesters until the end.“Sahakashvili took from us our dignity and freedom. We need it back for our creativity. He has shaken the basis of morality. We need changes,” said Patutdze.About 55,000 people expressed their dissatisfaction with the current administration in a daylong march and demonstration in front of Parliament. They came from all different walks of life: teachers, doctors, workers, pensioners, politicians and college students who all had different reasons for being there, but all wanting the same thing: a new government.