An interview with a former adviser to the President of Brazil Claudio Soares Ross

In your opinion what is the investment attractiveness of Georgia, and what should be the country’s  priorities? 
 

 I would divide three areas - agriculture, construction and tourism. 
 

I would single out the House of Justice of the carried out reforms in recent years - a very good idea, which allows to take a passport in a few minutes as well as to get a variety of services. How can anybody not like this?

The banking system is also  very well developed in Georgia. For example, there  are pay boxes at every step in the street that do not exist in Brazil. This enables very easily pay for everything, without the Internet, and without a need to stand in line at the bank. 

And this is despite the fact that the banking sector in Brazil is developed better than in many neighboring countries.

Brazil is one of the world's largest producers of agricultural products. What is the share of the agricultural sector in the economy? 
 

Very large. Brazil is an industrial-agrarian country with great natural resources and industrial potential. Agriculture is one of the leading sectors of our economy. The grain growing is the main sector of Brazilian agriculture.

In addition, Brazil is a world leader in coffee production; we have a very strong position in the export of cocoa, sugar, soybean, rice, etc. Usually we export raw materials, as we have a sufficient number of processing enterprises. 
 

It would be nice if Georgia is able  to process its  own products, as it will bring more profits. For example, you grow citrus, and it would be better if you export the processed product than crude that ishalf rotted away until reaches a destination. 
 

How competitive is Georgian wine? 
 

It is brilliant, very unusual, and most importantly - very tasty. Brazilian wine, like all European wines, is similar to each other, and you have your own production technology, which is very different from Western standards. That is why it is recognized in the international markets.

What are the prospects of tourism in Georgia? How can the country attract foreign visitors? 

I had to deal with travel agencies. It’s very bad that the country has huge tourism potential but there is no well-packaged information that might be interesting  to foreigners.

Tour operators should look at all issues through the eyes of tourists. Isn’t it strange when much more tourists arrive  in Turkey than in Georgia? Though, it has a  remarkable culture and climate.

You have a special climate and nature, a huge tourism potential - on the one hand, ski resorts, on the other hand - the Black Sea resorts. There are also very tasty fruits and vegetables, good cuisine. 
 

Georgia has  a very rich cultural heritage, temples, monasteries, and all these sights are clearly visible and are close to each other. 
 

What can be the priorities in the economy of Georgia?

There can be a lot of priorities - infrastructure, education, and agriculture. But I would single out that the legal system should be the main priority in any successful country.