საქართველოს მთავრობა|Government of Georgia

On November 4-5 2010, the Prime Minister of Georgia Mr. Nika Gilauri was in Brussels.

The Prime Minister met with Shtephan Fulle, the European Commissioner for Expansion of the European Council and Neighbor Policy as well.

Within the visit, Nika Gilauri delivered his speech at the conference dedicated to the energy issues of Georgia and talked about implemented reforms in the energy sector of Georgia.

"Today, it has already been emphasized that Georgia is the strategic partner for the European Union and two directions have also been highlighted: the first direction is in connection with hydro-resources and in fact, Mr. Oettinger and I in our speech called on European businesspersons to be more active with regard to Georgia, to arrive and build a large quantity of hydroelectric power stations to export electricity through Turkey to the EU, and the second direction is to utilize Georgia's potential as gas transit country.
The information which we have been aware of today and it has been confirmed by the Minister of Energy of Georgia that on Tuesday the government of Georgia will sign the memorandum with Turkish consortium about building the cascade of hydroelectric power stations in Samegrelo after 18 months. The Minister of Energy of Georgia explained to us the importance of this memorandum and possibilities to be given to Georgia with regard to electricity export...

The growth almost in all sectors is apparent; electricity export has reached the record indicator. The growth in tourism sector has been fixed; the number of visitors in Georgia has been increased in 42-43 % during 9 months. As for the financial sector, deposits have reached the record figure this year. These are the main parameters of 2010. When we analyze about the reasons of growth we point out three main factors, namely: International Financial Institutions, reforms carried out in Georgia and diversification in commerce, tourism and energy sectors,"- the Prime Minister noted.

Alexandre Khetaguri- Georgia's Minister of Energy , the Euro-commissioner in energy affairs Mr.Gunhter Oettinger, Rumanian Minister of Economy, trade and Business Environment Mr. Ion Ariton, Bulgaria's Minister of Energy, Economy and Tourism Mr. Traicho Traikov and Hovard Chase,- the Director of BP European affairs Department participated at the conference dedicated to energy issues of Georgia.

As the Prime Minister of Georgia, Nika Gilauri noted after the conference it was very constructive visit. "Energy conference was convened in Brussels at our request. It's worth noting that the conference was headed by Mr. Oettinger - the Euro-commissioner in energy affairs. At his invitation state officers and private sector representatives of Europe were participated at the conference. We talked about the relations in energy sector between Georgia and Europe. It's important that Georgia has been considered as potential partner for European Union so far. Today Mr. Oettinger has underlined that Georgia is the strategic partner in energy sector for EU. Two different directions are taken into account with this regard: the first direction is in connection with hydroelectric power stations. It's desirable more foreign investors to arrive in Georgia for constructing hydroelectric power stations, in order to export electricity through Turkey to EU and we become exporting country of electricity for the EU countries. The second important factor is Georgia as transit country in gas supply for the EU, arguing that diversification of gas supply is a priority for strengthening the EU. In this view, Georgia plays the leading role. We have already discussed several projects. Of course one of the projects is Nabucco where Georgia plays the role as the transit country. The second and third ones are export through the Black sea according to the gas liquefaction, so the gas will be liquefied and transfer it from Georgia to Bulgaria and Romania. The fourth project -so called white stream by which Georgia is connected to Ukraine. Today we have additionally discussed the projects thereof.

I'd like to note that in case of carrying out these projects, first of all additional working places will be created in Georgia, as well gas transit will contribute to additional income of the country. And on the other hand implementation of these projects will increase the strategic importance of our country for EU, which is very important in political point of view,"- The Prime premier of Georgia noted.

Nika Gilauri also paid attention to special report of the World Bank published in "Doing Business". According to the report thereof, Georgia was considered as the best reforms- making country in the world during 2005-2010.

In Prime Minister's opinion, this is the achievement of the whole country.

"I can say that this is one of the remarkable achievements of our country. I'd like to congratulate sincerely to everybody. Georgia has been nominated as the number one reforms-making country according to the reforms enacted in our country during the last five years. The World Bank assesses about 175 countries annually in connection with business climate and easement of business environment. According to the assessment of the World Bank, it turned out that Georgia carried out many reforms and simplified doing business more than these 175 countries during the last five years in 2005-2010. What does it mean? - On the one hand, it means that in fact, we've managed to carry out those reforms, which simplified to establish business for local businesspersons, as well paying of taxes and making business are easier.
On the other hand, it is the serious advertisement to International investors. Nowadays, investors are seeking the country where the business environment and payment of taxes are simplified.
Today's news means that we can attract more investments to Georgia in Future, which automatically implies creation of more working places. It was our goal, and it still remains unchanged. .

Our objective is creation of working places and combating unemployment in Georgia. What is necessary to achieve this goal?

Of course the government can not making business itself; the government can create the environment where the private sector will be successful. This was our major task and main objective. We have annually outcomes in achieving this objective .We are making annual progress and we extend our gratitude that this progress has been appreciated by the World Bank. The World Bank made the assessment in connection with Business easement among 175 countries and noted that Georgia was the number one reforms-making country. It'll be important in order to attract investments to Georgia in future, and local businesses conduct their activities in a successful manner"- Nika gilauri noted.

Prime Minister's Press Service