2020-02-26
Presently, we enjoy the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with the EU, also access to a vast market with the highest standards, and all that is in harmony with our political aspirations, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia stated at the Georgian and the World 2020 Economic Conference.
The Head of Government, while attending a panel discussion on Georgia's economic development: balancing state and private sector interests among the audience, addressed the event's participants.
Giorgi Gakharia emphasized that Georgia spares no effort to raise the bar across a variety of areas.
"We are holding extensive discussions on factors conducive to bolstering our economic growth-and, of course, there are structural reforms, institutional empowerment," the Prime Minister said.
The Head of Government also emphasized challenges and the importance of assistance from European partners in overcoming these challenges.
"Connectivity is a challenge in overcoming which we need assistance firstly from our European colleagues. Georgia has an ideal legal framework, agreements with the EU, and Georgia-those very close to Europe from the institutional and value-based point of view-does not have a land border with the EU. Connectivity-with its legal foundation established at the political level by the state with the European market-is the major challenge facing our small, medium-sized, and large enterprises alike, so that they may establish ties and enjoy concrete profits and results," the Prime Minister said.
According to Giorgi Gakharia, solving this problem will best bolster the growth of the Georgian economy.
"Though we have a very good legal framework in place, but are missing a land border and face physical connectivity issues-consequently, it is important to us to have support from eminent representative of various fields like economy or science, at different EU platforms. Today, Georgia needs EU support firstly to boost connectivity, be it by means of the Black Sea, direct flights, railroads, or any type of transport-so that we may enable our economy and business to translate our political and institutional rapprochement and achievements into concrete profits," the Prime Minister stated.
The panel discussion's participants included Georgia's Finance Minister Ivane Machavariani, Professor at Warsaw School of Economics, former Deputy Prime Minister, Finance Minister, and Chairman of the National Bank of Poland Leszek Balcerowicz, and the International Monetary Fund's Resident Representative for Georgia Selim Cakir.
Prime Minister's Press Office