Exclusive Interview with David Kezerashvili, a Georgian Businessman

David Kezerashvili, a Georgian Businessman

David Kezerashvili is a businessman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist who, despite leaving politics in 2008, is still referred to as Georgia’s former defense minister. In this exclusive interview, David Kezerashvili discusses his commitment to Ukraine, his investment in FormulaTV to ensure Georgians have access to independent news, and his recent statement that he has no desire to return to politics.

Q: Several news outlets have highlighted your compassion for the victims of the Russia-Ukraine war. What motivates you?

First and foremost, as a human being, the thought of people suffering due to the horrors of war compels me to lend a helping hand. Any rational person is moved by the cries of hungry children and the sight of men and women trying to save their lives and families.

Second, as a Georgian, I have a special place in my heart for my Ukrainian brothers and sisters. We have a shared history of devastation and displacement, and the Russian invasion of their country reminds me of the misery Georgians endured under similar obscurity. I still remember the 2008 Russo-Georgian War, with civilians dying, soldiers missing, and families fleeing their homes to survive in the wilderness without food or water. I am glad I had the opportunity to expedite the process of assisting similarly afflicted Ukrainians by funding the initial shipment of humanitarian aid from Washington. In addition, I set up a charity fund on FormulaTV to channel humanitarian assistance from Georgia directly to the affected Ukrainian families. It was the least I could do for my Ukrainian brothers and sisters who were suffering under conditions I am all too familiar with. I also appreciate all the other Georgians who took on the responsibility of offering assistance because this tragedy is personal to us.

Q: What prompted the decision to devote FormulaTV to independent war coverage?

I invested in FormulaTV’s independent news to provide Georgians with unbiased information. I realized that some governments interfere with the truth by, for example, truncating news to indoctrinate people with half-truths. As a truth fighter, I couldn’t stand by and let biased media spread propaganda or distract people from reality. Through independent journalism, I took it upon myself to ensure that Georgia has a clear path to democracy. I am working to ensure that Georgians have free access to the press and that impartial journalists have a free front from which to serve.

For example, I recently noticed that reports on the Russia-Ukraine War differed in some ways, implying that media outlets affiliated with Russia or Ukraine were being used to mislead the rest of the world. History has taught us that information is a powerful weapon that can be used to crush an opponent or spread an ideology. I intend to provide Georgians with a reliable media outlet through which they can reach objective conclusions about the warring countries. Georgians deserve to know the truth, and the independent news channel is designed to protect them from the effects of undue influence.

Q: You recently stated that you have no interest in politics, but Georgians regard you as an astute leader. Please clarify.

Despite retiring over a decade ago, I am glad my fellow Georgians remember my political career. I’m delighted to know I did them well on the defense side. However, I have entered a new phase in which I am focusing on stimulating Georgia’s economy by attracting foreign investment.

My vision is to have modern cities with futuristic facilities that attract companies from all over the world, thus connecting Georgia to the global community. I have already implemented this vision in Tbilisi by constructing Vake Plaza. The 11-story structure is designed with modern architecture and ultramodern office spaces to provide all the services a present-time business requires to thrive. It demonstrates that Georgia’s economy can expand if we focus on attracting foreign investment rather than just hotels and apartments.

My vision for a new Georgia is for our beautiful country to thrive on tangible investments. It is the driving force behind fully committing to venture capitalism. I’m working to help tech startups get off to a good start by providing cutting-edge resources they need to lay a solid foundation. I believe that the technology industry is a fascinating sector with numerous opportunities for our young innovators if we properly support them.

Summary

David Kezerashvili’s current activities show his shift from politics to media freedom, democracy, venture capitalism, modern architecture, and philanthropy. We will seek him out for additional interviews in the future to better understand his motivations, accomplishments, and plans.

About Neel Achary 18873 Articles
Neel Achary is the editor of Business News This Week. He has been covering all the business stories, economy, and corporate stories.