2020-02-26
We are not here to discuss just the Georgia Government's achievements. We are more interested in discussing the achievements of Georgian business, because we all understand that the cornerstone and backbone of our economy is free business, strong Georgian business that creates jobs. Creating new jobs is our economy's systemic challenge. Without balanced relations and policies between the private sector and state interests, it is impossible to achieve any serious results. Given the overarching and global title of our conference, Georgia and the World 2020, we naturally focus on economy, and I must emphasize that we see our country, Georgia, as an economically robust platform providing larger economies with services, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia said in his speech at the opening of the Georgia and the World 2020 Economic Conference.
The Head of Government, in underlining the significance of the conference, pointed out that it enables every delegate and stakeholder firstly to engage in open discussions on the challenges and achievements of Georgia's economy.
The Prime Minister spoke about free trade agreements and emphasized that Georgia is the only country to enjoy such agreements with China, the EU, and all of its neighbors.
"Georgia is committed to signing a number of free trade agreements. Georgia is the only country to enjoy such agreements with China, the EU, and all of its neighbors. We are actively negotiating-and are about to finalize-similar agreements with Israel and India. Consequently, we will have a very strong FTA portfolio.
Why? We all understand well that Georgia is a small market and yet we want our country to emerge mainly as a platform and hub for trade and business activities between larger economies, and for investment services. And that is exactly why we are putting together a strong FTA package," the Prime Minister said.
Giorgi Gakharia underscored that the Government of Georgia spares no effort to ensure an exceptional business climate in the country, especially in the area of services.
"In addition, everything related to transport, transit, and logistics is a priority for our economy. And that is exactly why the Government of Georgia, above all else, does everything to put in place an exceptional business environment in all areas, especially in the field of services. Services are the future of our country and economy. We all understand that it takes years, and that services require exceptional competences, and a service-oriented economy is the future of our country.
That is exactly why conferences of this kind are vitally important for us together-business, the expert community, and the government-to pinpoint the country's proper role in global and regional contexts.
I welcome the conference and once again thank our guests. I welcome Mr. Leszek Balcerowicz. Allow me to emphasize that the participation of Georgia's friends in such discussions can hardly be overestimated. Today, Georgia is a transitional economy, and its key political aspirations lie in Euro-Atlantic integration, while economic aspirations aim at an open market economy," Giorgi Gakharia stated.
The conference is held under the aegis of The World in 2020, The Economist British magazine's annual publication, and it is organized for the second time by the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia. This year's conference is attended by almost 200 participants and guests, including world-renowned economist, Professor at Warsaw School of Economics, former Deputy Prime Minister, Finance Minister, and Chairman of the National Bank of Poland Leszek Balcerowicz.
The participants of the conference's panel discussions included Georgia's Vice Prime Minister, Minister of regional Development and Infrastructure Maya Tskitishvili, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Natia Turnava, and Finance Minister Ivane Machavariani. The event was also attended by EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell, representatives of international donor organizations and the private sector, and experts.
The conference's panel discussions focused on such topics as the model of Georgia's economic development: balancing state and private sector interests, the competitiveness of Georgia's economy in the global context, its infrastructural development and role in bolstering competitiveness, achievements and challenges in the Georgia-EU market.
The event seeks to bring together representatives of various economic areas, analyze Georgia's progress, and view and discuss current challenges and new opportunities in the global context.
Prime Minister's Press Office