2016-09-27
Georgian investors shall become familiar with the European standards and create new paths of export of Georgian goods to the European markets; inclusion of Georgian entrepreneurs in the process of approximation of local legislation with the European standards and during adoption of new legislation and regulations is important, - Prime Minister of Georgia declared during today's round-table meeting.
Representatives of business associations, international donor organizations, the EU delegation and members of the Government attended the public dialogue on the topic of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (the DCFTA) held at the Administration of Government today. Particular emphasis was placed on the needs of the SMEs in the context of the DCFTA as well as aspects of supporting the small and medium enterprises.
Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili and Head of the European Union Delegation to Georgia, His Excellency Ambassador Janos Herman delivered welcoming speeches at the round-table dialogue.
The head of the Government hoped that public dialogue on the DCFTA will foster active inclusion of the private sector in the process of creation of the new regulative environment and maximum emphasis on the interests and needs of the enterprises.
"The first stage of the reforms envisaged by the Association Agreement was finalized successfully and the new reform agenda in the context of the Association Agreement for 2017-2020 is being agreed by the public agencies. New agenda is quite comprehensive and ambitious. I am glad to observe the process of approximation of Georgian institutions, regulations and standards with the EU norms. This, primarily, is beneficial for the citizens of Georgia and in terms of establishing the European order in Georgia - to ensure that Georgian legislation and regulations are more legible to the Western investors. This is crucial in the context of improving existing standards and introducing the rule of law standards in Georgia. This will ensure transformation of Georgia into a truly European country. The DCFTA represents a significant progress in the context of Europeanization of the country," - Giorgi Kvirikashvili noted.
According to Giorgi Kvirikashvili, further intensification of a dialogue with the private sector is of utmost importance in terms of developing the SMEs and increasing their competitiveness on the European market. According to him, the Council of Investors has been set up as a platform for discussing changes that will be introduced to the legislation and regulations.
"Support of the local business associations is crucial and hence, I would like to thank each of you for your ample contribution to this process. We already established the Council of Investors that is chaired by the Prime Minister and Ministers of economic bloc of the Cabinet as well as heads of large business associations and the IFIs are members of the said body. Therefore, I believe that multi-platform format will make transition period for the local business community much easier," - Prime Minister noted.
The cycle of the round-table meetings is taking place under the umbrella of the EU-funded Association Agreement Foster Project that aims at promotion of the public dialogue with private sector and ensuring maximum involvement of the business community in the process of ongoing and planned reforms within the DCFTA.
Creation of favourable business environment and supporting private sector in the process of adaptation with the requirements of the DCFTA is an unwavering decision of the Government of Georgia.
Under the umbrella of the project, similar meetings will also take place in the regions as well.
Prime Minister's Press Office