Sophio Kashakashvili: We all feel the issue of prices, and if a window appears to regulate this direction, we will welcome it - when compared to Europe, they are 10-15 years ahead of us and have local production
“A very businesslike meeting was held. We discussed various topics, broke down the figures, and examined cause-and-effect relationships. Absolutely everyone is ready, either individually or in groups, to go through any figures. We will continue working for some time, and then it will become clear why certain figures are high or low,” said Sophio Kashakashvili, Executive Director of the Retail Association.
As Kashakashvili noted after meeting with Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, nothing was asserted or imposed during the meeting. She said that it was emphasized that local production in the country should be encouraged.
“There was no conversation in a confrontational or accusatory mode. It was a constructive dialogue. Questions were raised from both our side and theirs. This is a long process, and nothing can be resolved within a single meeting. Our sector itself has repeatedly spoken about the challenges that affect food prices in different ways.
It was stated that local production should be encouraged, and the state is ready to take part in this from its side. Long-term forecasts and plans will be developed over time.
The data of our association are public, uploaded on the portal, and anyone can access them. Whether the price markup is justified or not will be shown by further processes.
The Prime Minister’s initiative is welcome in the sense that, as consumers, we all feel the issue of prices, and if a window appears that regulates this direction, we will welcome it.
There are various mechanisms - flexibility in tax policy, banking incentives. As you know, banking fees are high, especially for card and terminal payments.
When we compare ourselves to Europe, they are 10-15 years ahead of us and have local production.
This is a natural process: competition is high, the sector is developing well, and it has good regional expansion. Accordingly, everything takes time.
At the next meetings, it will become clear whether the figures were realistic or not,” said Sophio Kashakashvili, Executive Director of the Retail Association.
