2019-05-16
We have ambition to be multi-dimensional hub in our region. Step-by-step Georgia is becoming a hub for Doing Business, Investments, Finance, Innovations, Tourism, Trade and logistics, Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze stated at the opening of the Economic Forum in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan's capital.
The Head of Georgian Government thanked Nursultan Nazarbayev, the first President of Kazakhstan and Founder of the Economic Forum, for his invaluable contribution to Kazakhstan-Georgia relations and partnership, thanks to which the friendship between the two countries has not only been sustained, but is growing stronger on a daily basis.
"Kazakhstan is one the most important partners for Georgia. We have great political and people-to-people relations, though in economic dimension we still see areas of huge opportunities to explore and consequently increase," Mamuka Bakhtadze emphasized.
The Prime Minister of Georgia pointed out the important agreements signed recently in Nur-Sultan, including the Roadmap Agreement seeking to increase the trade volumes between the two countries in the course of the next three years.
The Prime Minister also emphasized the great potential Georgia and Kazakhstan have in the areas of infrastructure, agriculture, trade, tourism, and others. According to Mamuka Bakhtadze, creating joint partnerships in these directions will lay the foundation for many new achievements.
"In Georgia-Kazakh relations, we have a great synergy. Georgia strategically located between Europe and Asia, being a natural bridge between this two continents serves 8 landlocked countries in its trade with West. This advantage that Georgia can offer to Kazakhstan can supplement and support Kazakhstan to fully utilize its logistical opportunities. Talking about connectivity, we have several very high profile regional projects in transport and logistics. Georgia was one of the first countries to join China's Belt and Road initiative and plays an integral part in revitalization of ancient Silk Road. In this context it is important to mention so called Middle Corridor project, which is being developed together with Kazakhstan, China, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Georgia. This project will create enormous economic opportunities in the Global Economy," the Prime Minister said.
According to Mamuka Bakhtadze, Georgia is the only country in the region to enjoy FTAs with both the European and China.
"We have several other trade deals being negotiated as I speak here in front of you my friends and we are determined to keep this pace. It would have been otherwise impossible in this rapidly changing world. On this path we pay special attention to strengthening transit infrastructure of the country and we are developing not only traditional infrastructure such as Roads and Highways, but also are adding additional capacities to our Railway and are constructing a deep see port on western bank of Black Sea," the Prime Minister of Georgia underlined.
The Head of Government singled out Georgia's crucially important reforms that turn the country into a vibrant economy on the rise.
"Georgia is N6 in World Banks Ease of Doing business ranking, we are N16 in Heritage Foundation's Economic Freedom Index, to continue Georgia is ranked as 3rd lowest tax burden countries according to World Bank. Moreover, International Monetary Fund projected Georgia's economic growth in medium term highest in the region. What we achieved with this kind of policy is the all-time high export volumes and in just recent years we managed to decrease our current account deficit from 13.2% to 6.8%," Mamuka Bakhtadze stated.
The Prime Minister also referred to the achievements and plans in the direction of tourism.
Mamuka Bakhtadze underscored the need to invest in and promoting revolutionary technologies.
"My personal undertaking is to build up an innovations-driven eco-system in Georgia. In fact, we have been the first country in the world to introduce Blockchain technologies in the public services. But all would agree that, Innovations and future of our countries cannot be discussed without underlining the importance of our human capital," Mamuka Bakhtadze said.
In conclusion, the Head of Georgian Government emphasized the importance of education in the process of the country's building, and the need to ensure youth engagement.
"In the globalized era, were the main motto is to think globally and act locally - younger generation with wider horizons and first-class knowledge will shape our future. For that very reason, I have introduced a very comprehensive education system reform, which I would characterize as the bravest step made by Georgia since its independence. This new Education reform is I would say a revolutionary-a real game changing undertaking for our people and for our future generations-a real national idea! Within the scope of this reform, we have already initiated a legislation, under which 6 Percent of GDP will be annually allocated to Education, which is 1/4 of our Budget and most importantly according to this very legislation every government for next decades will have the obligation to invest in the development of our human capital, in other words - people that advance our country to the heights that we envisage for our future generations. We have to understand that in today's competitive world, only the ones who have the open, prolific minds, information and ability to think outside the box will be able to create that added value in our economies that we are so desperately in need nowadays. Dear colleagues and friends, sometimes we have to step away from our political agenda, step out of our comfort zones and run an extra mile, in order to mark something that will have a long-lasting and epochal impact on our children and future generations. Isn't it why we are working so hard on existing challenges? For a better tomorrow and - most importantly - for upcoming generations to come," the Prime Minister of Georgia stated.
The ongoing 2019 Astana Economic Forum in Nur-Sultan, Inspiring Growth: People, Cities, Economies, brings together Heads of State and Government, leadership of international financial institutions, global thinkers, prominent experts, and celebrated leaders of the field, who, in the course of two days, will discuss global economy's challenges, trends, and opportunities.
Prime Minister's Press Office