On 15-19 September 2006, the Prime Minister of Georgia Zurab Noghaideli was on a five-day working visit to Singapore.
In Singapore on September 17, World Bank and International Financial Organization held a press conference on World Business Practice and Reforms. Mr. Zurab Noghaideli was invited at the press conference as the Prime Minister of Reformer Country N1. The Prime Minister of Georgia informed the conference delegates on the reforms performed in Georgia for the last two years. In particular, the Prime Minister touched upon such issues as business registration, licenses and permits, labour laws, foreign trade, and the reforms made in financial and legal sectors. At the end of his speech, the Prime Minister talked about the future reforms in such areas as business winding up, improving credit information, etc.
In addition to other reforms, the reform in the legal sector drew a special interest.
Mr. Noghaideli was followed by Mr. Gil Diaz, the Secretary of Finance and Public Credit of Mexico (Reformer N3), who discussed the reform in the financial sector of Mexico.
The Prime Minister of Georgia held meetings with Mr. Thunell, the Executive Vice-President of International Finance Corporation, and Mr. Viller, the General Director of World Bank. The main topic of the discussion was the survey results published by International Finance Corporation and the plans of cooperation in the nearest future (including rehabilitation/construction of roads and energy sector).
At the end of the visit, the Prime Minister of Georgia was received by President of Singapore Mr. Sellapan Ramanathan in his own palace. The host remembered his visit in Georgia - remarkable sights, exotic meals of the Georgian cuisine, and Georgian sincerity. The parties discussed the opportunities for further expansion of trade relations with the two countries. They expressed their wish to organize a meeting of the representatives of Georgian and Singapore business circles. At the end of the meeting, Zurab Noghaideli delivered Mikheil Saakashvili's invitation to Georgia to the President of Singapore.
Two members of the delegation, namely Minister of Finance of Georgia Aleksi Aleksishvili and President of National Bank of Georgia Roman Gotsiridze are continuing their visit to Singapore as part of the annual meetings organized by International Monetary Fund and World Bank.
Prime Minister's Press Service