McDonald’s willing to enter Abkhazia as independent country

McDonalds has expressed its desire to enter into untapped markets, including Abkhazia, a breakaway region of Georgia.

Last night the company published a list of independent countries where it might be interested to develop franchise opportunities, however this information was expected to be removed today.  

Earlier, the website asked all interested people to submit an application.  

It read: "If we proceed with our development plans in Abkhazia, we will give fair consideration to all candidates and will contact those individuals who best meet the requirements we seek in a franchisee for the first phase of the selection process.

The website said the company was looking for people with high integrity, business experience in the market, ability to work well with a franchiser, retail experience and other qualities.

Meanwhile the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Georgia said they would do their best to avoid opening a McDonalds restaurant in Abkhazia.

Businessman Temur Tchkonia, who is McDonalds' representative in Georgia, said he had talked to the companys head office in America and was told the company would remove the information from the website today (January 14).

Soso Galumashvili, a senior consultant for GEPRA PR and Marketing Communications Company, said McDonalds was not able to enter the Abkhazian market without a Georgian permit.

Last year Tchkonia wanted to provide Abkhazia with McDonalds and Coca-Cola but his initiative failed due to political reasons. He is now waiting for the Sochi 2014 Olympics to end in order to continue negotiations.  

Tchkonia said he had a unique agreement with McDonalds and without his permission, it would be impossible to build McDonalds' in Georgian territory.

Breakaway Abkhazia calls itself an independent state. Its status is recognized by five countries.