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Forbes
4 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
The Other Georgia: 4 Things I Want You To Know About My Homeland
Georgia's economy is diversifying. Tourism is booming. Winemakers are exporting globally. Tech, logistics, and education are expanding. And young people are stepping into leadership roles that would have seemed impossible a generation ago. When I tell people I'm from Georgia, they might picture peaches and southern charm. But that's not my Georgia. As CFO of CBS Group, a holding company working across various industries to help build a stronger, more modern society in my homeland, I represent Georgia worldwide—in boardrooms, conferences, and global summits. Yet I often find myself explaining the most basic facts about my origins. So today, I want to share four things I wish everyone knew about the Georgia I call home. Nearly 6,300 miles east of the U.S., the country of Georgia sits at the intersection of Europe and Asia, covering an area slightly smaller than South Carolina, with a population of 3.7 million people. It's a land of dramatic mountains, seaside resorts, and cities that have stood for thousands of years. Because we're located on the Silk Road—the ancient trade route that linked China to the Mediterranean—Georgia emerged as a crossroads of commerce and culture before Western civilization even existed. People from across the globe passed through, leaving a profound, multicultural legacy you can see in our food, language, and architecture. Georgia is a truly ancient society. We're one of the oldest wine-producing nations in the world, with a tradition dating back over 8,000 years. Over the centuries, we've seen kingdoms rise and fall, survived invasions, and been shaped by Persian, Ottoman, Russian, and European influences. And through it all, we've kept our language and our identity. For most of the 20th century, we were part of the Soviet Union, which initially brought industrial development, education, and economic growth. But it also brought totalitarianism and a loss of freedom, so in the late 1980s, when inflation soared and shelves emptied, nationalism swept through our part of the world, and the USSR started to unravel. Things came to a head in Georgia on April 9, 1989, when Soviet troops attacked a peaceful protest in Tbilisi and killed 21 people, mostly young, mostly women. That day galvanized the nation and marked the dawn of a new Georgia. Two years later, we declared our independence, becoming the first non-Baltic republic to leave the USSR. So in a way, my very ancient country is two years younger than I am. When a government falls, it takes essential things down with it—institutions like banks, courts, utilities, and more that people rely on to live their lives. When the Soviet Union fell, Georgia lost all of those systems. Our economy collapsed overnight. Wages bottomed out while prices skyrocketed. People were given coupons that they traded for basic food like bread and milk, often standing in line all day to get it. Georgia fell into chaos. Civil war broke out. Armed gangs roamed the streets. Many people, especially educated people, left the country in search of stability. But my parents, both doctors, stayed behind. I remember candles during power outages, food shortages, and the fear of never knowing what might happen next. But they both believed in the future of Georgia, and today, I'm proud to carry that belief too. The Georgia I help lead today is not the Georgia I grew up in. We've come through war, economic collapse, and political upheaval, and emerged with a renewed sense of purpose. Our economy is diversifying. Tourism is booming. Our winemakers are exporting globally. Tech, logistics, and education are expanding. And young people are stepping into leadership roles that would have seemed impossible a generation ago. Yes, we are still pulled between East and West—between two different ideas of governance and power. That tension is real, but so is our determination. Regardless of politics, most Georgians want a country that offers fairness, opportunity, and freedom for all. I travel the world for work, but my heart is always here. I am part of the generation building Georgia's future—honoring our past without being limited by it. This is the Georgia I want you to know. Not just the name, but the story.
Forbes
01-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
CBS Group CFO Tamar Gakharia's Fight For Success Modernized The Georgian Economy
NEW YORK (April 1, 2025) — The Blitz: A Georgian Daughter's Rise as a CFO in the Post-Soviet Era by Tamar Gakharia is now available on Amazon. The book is published with Forbes Books, the exclusive business book publishing imprint of Forbes. Tamar Gakharia came of age as the Republic of Georgia struggled to rebuild after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Raised by two doctors who lost everything, she was determined to build a future for herself, her family, and her homeland, brick by brick. Just as her dreams of studying abroad began to take shape, love altered her path. At 17, she secretly married a man whose promise was overshadowed by his personal battles—leading to years of turmoil, abuse, and sacrifice. Despite the challenges of her husband's addiction and incarceration, Gakharia remained steadfast in her ambitions. She completed her studies with honors and built a successful career in banking—all while raising her daughter and shouldering the burdens of a tumultuous marriage. At 25, she took a daring leap into corporate leadership, accepting the role of CFO at a fledgling holding company with a vision to elevate Georgia onto the world stage. Through relentless dedication, she helped transform the company into one of Georgia's most prominent, battling corruption, bribes, and threats along the way. 'I certainly do not think of myself as a hero, but I still believe my story means something,' Gakharia said. 'In a way, it is also Georgia's story, and the history of my people and my country and our survival despite the odds. I think it's an important one to tell. Especially now, I think, when so many parts of the world are unstable, and so many people are trying to make change. There are many of us out here, not only in Georgia but also in other post-Soviet republics and other emerging nations around the world, trying to build our own palaces and create a better world for our children.' The Blitz is a powerful testament to perseverance, the weight of love and sacrifice, and the unbreakable spirit of Georgian women. This release is posted on behalf of Forbes Books (operated by Advantage Media Group under license). Tamar Gakharia is the Chief Financial Officer of CBS Group, one of the largest holding companies in the Republic of Georgia. She graduated with honors from a local university and began her career at the Bank of Georgia, where she held numerous positions and honed her financial expertise. Her success at the bank led her to CBS Group, where she oversees the company's diverse holdings in finance, real estate, and energy sectors. Tamar resides in Tbilisi with her two children. This is her first book. Forbes Books is the exclusive business book publishing imprint of Forbes. Launched in 2016, Forbes Books offers business leaders an innovative publishing model and a premium brand presence. The Forbes Books editorial team works with authors to design, create, distribute, and market books that share their expertise and ideas with the world. Media Contact Tate Causey, tcausey@
