Zurab Dznelashvili, founder of the law firm Tax & Legal Solutions, says planned changes in Georgia’s payment services market carry a risk of monopolization. Under the proposed legislation, a new universal cash register system will combine the functions of cash registers and bank terminals, with a single government-selected company responsible for supplying both equipment and services.
Dznelashvili says the technical reform itself is positive, as it could simplify payment processing for businesses and improve tax administration. By integrating cash and card payments into one device, companies would reduce operational complexity and potentially lower costs, even though they would still face an initial one-time investment.
However, he strongly criticizes the decision to concentrate supply and servicing in the hands of one provider. In his view, this would eliminate competition in a market that currently includes multiple cash register and terminal providers, effectively creating a monopoly without clear justification.
He argues that instead of limiting suppliers, the state should define technical standards and allow multiple authorized providers to compete. According to Dznelashvili, competition would lead to better prices, improved service quality, and innovation, while still ensuring regulatory compliance and effective tax administration.
