Georgian PM says no one can scare Bidzina Ivanishvili with sanctions

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday said Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder and Honorary Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party, was not afraid of any sanctions.

“Bidzina Ivanishvili is not afraid of any sanctions. Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, informal sanctions have been in effect against him, his funds have been frozen, they will not scare this man with sanctions”, the PM said.

In response to the question who the Georgian Dream's business ambassador was, Kobakhidze noted that the country had only one business ambassador inside and outside the country, and that was the Economy Minister.

Kobakhidze made the remarks in response to a journalist’s question suggesting that certain businessmen might be lobbying Western leaders to prevent sanctions against Ivanishvili.

When asked who serves as the “business ambassador” of the ruling Georgian Dream party in Georgia, the Prime Minister emphasised that the country has only one official representative in this field - the Minister of Economy.

“We have a single business ambassador both inside and outside the country, and that is the Minister of Economy. Our partners, including those abroad, are in direct contact with the Minister of Economy on matters related to business and the economy - this is his mandate. Of course, any businessman can speak on their own behalf with whomever they wish, but that is not part of the government’s responsibility. As far as the government is concerned, the Minister of Economy represents the state in all business-related matters, both domestically and internationally”, he concluded.