"Supporting Youth Entrepreneurial Opportunities and Investment studies in Georgia," is a project of "Business Consulting Network Georgia", the Association of  Young Economists of Georgia’s (AYEG) subsidiary’s. The project is funded by Estonian Foreign Ministry and the US State Department. Last year, the project had 14 business plans funded. Among them was “LTD Topazi”. The aim of the project is to supply Imereti region with natural stones. Besides it offers customers processed stones, according to their own design.

“I first learned about the project from the web page of Association of Young Economists of Georgia. Before then, we had the idea to start natural stones' distribution business. So, we decided to make a research to understand local demand on the natural stones. Study of the local market showed that only two organizations supply natural stones to Imereti region. Based on our research there is deficit in raw materials for entrepreneurs, who works on processing the natural stones, so they have to buy resources at higher prices. So, we decided to import Turkish marble and colored granite to Imereti and nearby regions from Batumi and Tbilisi. At the same time, we wanted to process stones and make kitchen surfaces, window frames, fireplaces and other equipment. We developed business plan about this idea and received the grant.

We have sold products more than 25 000 Gel already. Our organization rendered service to more than 30 private and legal persons. Among them was several large orders, including Heroes Memorial coverings In Vaziani.  Currently 5 people are employed in our business, but from time to time, during big orders, we hire additional working forces. We offer our customers already processed stones as well as customized projects based on their will. “

Paata Dvalishvili

Executive director of LTD Topazi