SIBLEY'S IMPACT

"The workshops conducted by Sibley to build institutional capacities to provide services, advocate effectively and increase membership had been attended by representatives of 15 to 20 business and professional associations. Of these associations, several made almost immediate use of the assistance and brought considerable benefits to their membership. [...] Results were achieved by outstanding efforts."

--USAID Contractor Performance Report, Aug. 19, 2003

"We are very thankful to Sibley for the assistance provided to accountants. The assistance received was very productive. We got a general overview of international accounting. It was also good for managers, and specifically for the accountants from this point-of-view, as the managers start to understand the information provided by accountants. We have foreign partners, suppliers and the knowledge obtained during this project will assist in understanding each other better. Now they are more willing to cooperate. We are also looking [for] foreign customers and I hope, now we can find them more easily."

--Susanna Sarkisian, Chief Accountant, TOSP (Manufacturer of cotton goods)

"In cooperation with USAID and Sibley International we founded an association of builders and building material producers, which is trying to bring together enterprises which are operating in this sector. We try to address the issues which are common to all the enterprises working in this field. We are trying to increase the number of employed people in this sector, and also consider the problem of reviving those enterprises which are not operating nowadays."

--Shalva Khutsishvili, President, Telavi Construction Association (Georgia)

"The building of the cathedral [a current project] is a nonprofit undertaking, but our enterprise would suffer greatly if we had excessive losses. To avoid losses, we needed to carefully calculate the costs of each detail. A specially invited Georgian expert spent two weeks at our enterprise consulting us on how to calculate the cost per unit for each type of product. It gave us a clear picture of the expenses incurred, and whether it was advisable to continue with the construction works or not. At the same time we are now able to give a clear account of the costs per unit, as well as total costs of the work to be performed."

"Apart from the problems we came across in the production process, there are also ones associated with the existing legislation, which is unacceptable for entrepreneurs. Our association charter contains an article regarding legal issues, and we hope that with the assistance of the GESP we would be able to present our views on possible changes to legislation to the Georgian government."

--Beglar Kazhidze, Director, "Graniti", and Member of the Board, Builders and Construction Materials Association

"The implementation of new charts of accounts was not so difficult. Of course there were some difficulties, but I think we will overcome [them]. The training in AAS [Armenian Accounting Standards] was very helpful and productive. We start to understand a lot of issues in consolidation, that we saw before done by our Greek investors, but could not understand how."

--Jirar Papoyan, Chief Accountant, Armentel (Telecommunications company, one of the largest closed joint stock companies (CJSC) in Armenia)

"[The] GEAR Project was one of the best experiences of my career. It was of great help in upgrading my professionalism, gaining experience in human resource management, different types of training courses on various economic issues, international experience in Armenia on cost accounting, relationships with lots of experts, cooperation on solving problems and dealing with our expats during the project, these are things that assisted me in improving my professional and personal skills."

--Marina Purtseladze (on behalf of George Tkeshlashvili, Deputy Agriculture Minister)

"USAID's Georgian Enterprise Accounting Reform (GEAR) project is an integral component of USAID's program because accounting is crucial to the efficient allocation of resources in a market economy, in both the public and private sectors. Today, not only accountants and auditors, but entrepreneurs, government, and the academic community are interested in the adoption of international standards of accounting. The training of highly qualified Georgian accountants—who will help carry Georgia's economic development into the 21st century—is important for the long-term success of this program and will be a key contribution to successful economic reform."

--Martin Adams, Chargé d'Affaires, American Embassy in Georgia

"All of the people we have trained in cost [accounting] and management take away with them knowledge, information and skills that have only recently begun to filter through to the Georgian business and commercial scene. Particularly, we are talking about the treatment of overheads, depreciation and related items. Prior to our work in the GEAR and now the GESP projects, any work done by enterprises in this respect dated back to old Soviet norms and methodologies: we are getting rid of the reliance on old Soviet norms now!"

--Duncan Williamson (Sibley consultant)

"We have designed a conduit between business associations and Parliament and between the associations and local/regional governments. The conduits provide for a two-way information flow, all to the end that businesses may more effectively seek solutions to some of their problems. The mere existence of the conduit has benefited business in two ways: one, it has given them a feeling of hope and power, replacing one of discouragement and passivity, and two, it has enabled them to begin the process of careful, organized thought concerning defining problems and solutions."

--Ted Rosenak (Sibley consultant)

"There were several seminars that took place here, which were very beneficial for our specialists. We are very satisfied with the results. Apart from our financial managers, I personally participated in one of the seminars, on economic issues, and found it extremely helpful."

--Zurab Gvenetadze, President, "Imermsheni" and Member of Board, Builders and Construction Materials Association

"We have received extensive training in cost accounting, which is important for any operating business. This method has already been implemented in practice in many enterprises representing our associations, and very soon we are going to introduce it in the LLC I represent."

--Mamuka Rogova, Deputy Chairman, Builders and Construction Materials Association