“The feeling of injustice and the surreal sense of what is happening in the country today", - this is how businessman Levan Karalashvili describes the reality facing the business sector in Georgia today.
According to Karalashvili, the overall socio-political atmosphere in the country is casting a shadow not only on consumers but on entrepreneurs as well. The emotional weight of the current environment is stifling initiative, optimism, and forward momentum—traits that are typically foundational to any thriving business.
"Business, by nature, is an optimistic force, a collective of people who create. But today, that spirit is fading. There is no drive to initiate, to innovate, or to build something new. The general mood feels like pressure coming from above, affecting everyone in a chain, from the consumer to the entrepreneur. The prevailing sentiment is one of injustice, of something fundamentally wrong happening in the country. As a result, many businesses have gone silent. They are stuck in a state of uncertainty," he told bm.ge.
Karalashvili goes on to note that the term he once used frequently, "cautious optimism", no longer feels relevant.
"Unfortunately, there is no space for cautious optimism anymore. In recent years, business has shifted into survival mode. We're conserving resources, streamlining operations, and holding our breath for a better future. But when that future will arrive is unclear, shrouded in fog. In the meantime, the desire for innovation and new beginnings continues to fade", - Levan Karalashvili told BMG.
