Socar Leads Oil Importers in Terms of Taxes Paid in 2011

The FINANCIAL — With GEL 198 million Socar Georgia Petroleum is the largest tax payer among oil importers in Georgia.

The company is also the largest investor in the sector with GEL 54 million in 2011. Company claims it has the best infrastructure of gas stations.

“Socar is one of the leaders in terms of tax payments to the state budget. From 2006 till today, Socar paid more then GEL 775 million,” said Mahir Mammedov, Director General of Socar Georgia Petroleum. “For our company it is very important to win this nomination. It is already fourth years that we get the diploma as the biggest tax payer in state budget. I wish I can pay billion GEL next year. More tax paid means more income generated by Socar. It is very pleasant operating in Georgia. Economy is developing gradually. There is a very good investment environment in this country,” he added.

“Last year 400-420 million GEL was paid by oil businesses. GEL 197 million was paid by Socar only. Our company was also awarded for building modern multifunctional complex, for the contribution to sport development and for implementation of important social projects,” Mammedov added.

As for the investments, it was not aimed only at developing of gas stations, but also at joint multifunctional complex of Socar and Goodwill. “The complex was opened by the president Mikheil Saakashvili on November 28. This multifunctional complex is located at the Batumi-Tbilisi highway,” said Irakli Zubitashvili, Corporate Quality Assurance Department Head. “Together with McDonalds, Socar builds complexes in Batumi and Marneuli. Totally, during the 7 year’s operating in Georgia’s oil market Socar invested more then GEL 183 million,” he added.

“Additional investments in the country are very important and vital for Georgia as investments create additional work places,” said Keti Bochorishvili, Director of Georgian National Investment Agency. “I would congratulate Socar successful 2011 and wish the company that the year 2012 would be more successful for it,” she added.

Socar operates European standard gas stations. The company’s activity is in compliance with ISO 9001 standards. The company SGS awarded Socar by the ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Certificate in 2011.

Mahir Mammedov said that increased competitiveness on the market did not disturb the company’s sales last year. The product that Socar offers to its customers are still very demanded. “GNG, Disel, Euro Disel, Super unleaded, Regular unleaded are very selling producrs. Moreover, the demand on this production grows. The sum of our import exceeds to 400 000 tons every year. Just only retail sales reached 200 million liters,” said Mammedov.

Mammedov said that Socar does not have competitors in Georgia, but only friends. “It is very difficult for me to consider Wissol, Lukoil, Rompetrol and Gulf as our competitors. Sometimes it is very necessary to help each other,” said Mammedov. “During the War period some companies had problems, but Socar helped them. West road was closed and the companies could not import petrol in Georgia. But Socar could import petrol from the East, from Azerbaijan and we gave them fuel. We also feel support from other companies,” he added.