On November 18, 2010, Prime Minister of Georgia, Nika Gilauri, met with the employees of the confectionery "Sweet Country."
Here is the Prime-Minister's speech:
"What is the goal of this meeting? I want to meet with representatives of the factories and society, University students as well, because this year, 2010, is coming to an end.
I'd like to summarize briefly governmental efforts in the previous year, the problems we are facing today and the problems that still remain unsolved.
We treasure your opinions and let me know what is your main problem, how satisfied or dissatisfied are you? This is the main topic of the meeting.
The next year's top issue will be employment once again. This is the core economic problem we are to solve. The positive steps have been taken and huge progress has been made recently in the enterprise you are working in this direction, I'd like to congratulate your factory for establishing a good reputation in the society.
I am informed that you face competition from Ukraine products and this somehow creates the barrier for you. On the one hand, competition is good; on the other hand, nobody had the information about "Sweet Country" 4-5 years ago. When your products first put on the market, the population bought the products, however they had doubt whether the quality of the products was good or bad? Gradually, the products thereof are taking the market segment and becoming more and more popular. They are popular even in my family; furthermore, number one products my spouse is used to buy.
Besides, it's important that the feeling of loyalty has emerged in Georgia; Georgian people did not buy the products made in Georgia 5-6 years ago. On the contrary, they thought, "products quality is likely to be bad and it's better to buy another one". The situation has changed. The Georgian people buy the products made in Georgia, they of course try to promote the production, but it's worth noting, that the quality of the products thereof is good. I want to thank you for your huge contribution to this process.
As for the problems and macroeconomic picture, the government is facing. The key priority is to create new work places, because the population is in need in Georgia, besides rising prices are indeed a problem".
During the meeting with the employees of the confectionery "Sweet Country." Ltd. the Prime Minister talked about problems concerning the increase in price of wheat and agricultural products, seeking the alternative suppliers of the wheat and tackling the problems thereof.
Nika Gilauri highlighted the importance of attracting investments and creation of work places:
"Our goal is to strengthen the private sector, which will establish factories and enterprises and encourage creating more work places for Georgian people. How can we manage it?
Azerbaijan is a rich country with regard to oil and gas, Armenia has a relatively large and strong Diaspora, Turkey- is a big and growing market. The major niche for Georgia is to attract private sector in order to create the bridgehead in the region and export the products to other countries. We reviewed all laws with this regard, to create competitive environment... to enact fundamental reforms for making Georgia more attractive for private sector.
When a foreign investor has USD 1900 and is ready to put investment, we want his choice to be beneficial to Georgia, It seems that there's considerable competition in the region, attracting investors-it's a targeting approach not only of Georgia, but of all the countries in the region. It's important to be a winner in such competitive environment".
The Prime-Minister of Georgia evaluated the importance of World Bank Survey and Georgia as number one reformer in the world during 2005-2010 on the basis of the reforms implementing in the country.
"This is the greatest governmental achievement during the last years. It's achievement, not only because it was our goal and we managed to come it true, but it will promote Georgia as the more attracting country for foreign investors in order to arrive here and say: the business environment is good, and it gives me the opportunity to make my business in a profitable manner, the Georgian government will not interfere in my activity, that's why I'll make investments here, establish factories and contribute to create work places for citizens of Georgia.
This is our main goal, of course there's so much to do with this regard, but certain fundamental steps have been taken in this direction, such as the issue on infrastructure improvement. As for logistic problems of port, railway, etc. are partially solved. Besides, there were not any intergovernmental agreements with Turkey or other countries in order to simplify trade and I can say that problems in this direction are tackled.
New Tax Code of Georgia shall come into force in the next year and it will encourage the private sector to conduct their business activities in an easier manner.
The next step is education sector. Investors are very often interested in efficient workers in Georgia. I am proud of being able to offer them qualified specialists. However, in the modern world there are great demands for new and innovative technologies, we are to keep up with the challenges of modern life. This is our main focus, in order next generations to get jobs without any hurdle and stay competitive. Furthermore, make their contribution to attracting investors and say that Georgia is distinguished for its efficient workers and well-educated society, where establishing of new enterprises and creation of work places are possible.
It's our goal. I can't say that this goal is completely fulfilled, however, we have taken proper steps, and there is much to do in this direction. The current year was hard, but we have economic growth by 6% (according to 9-month-data). This is a positive fact and we suppose that economic growth will be by 4.5. % for the next year.
It will encourage attracting more and more inventors and investments in Georgia and promote to create job places for people in our country.
This is our goal we are going to achieve in the nearest future".
Prime Minister's Press Service