2019-08-16
"Support is needed in the tourism sector most of all and attempts of some political forces to gain political scores on this problem is unacceptable" stated Mamuka Bakhtadze, Prime Minister of Georgia when responding to a question of journalists on the reduced proceeds from tourism.
With explanations given by the Head of Government of Georgia, tourism sector generated several dozens of million dollars less in July compared to the respective period of the previous year by preliminary indicators.
"We understand very well that support is required in this sector most of all and attempt of some political forces to gain political scores on the problem is naturally unacceptable. What we were saying turned out to be absolute truth. When a citizen of one's country has a problem, one should not be preoccupied with gaining political scores but rather be developing tailor-made programs and initiatives on how to support one's citizens. I believe that this is most important of all" stated the Prime Minister of Georgia.
Head of Government of Georgia spoke about the programs that are planned by the Government in support of the tourism sector.
"We have developed two programs in support of small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs), who are engaged in the tourism sector. Particularly painful was the challenge in Adjara. First one envisages support of projects that involve the construction of guesthouses that were ongoing and this problem has triggered risk of suspension. It is unacceptable. No construction initiative will be put on hold in Georgia. Program that we have implies state grant financing to help the entrepreneurs continue with their projects and none of them to be put on hold. Second program is also utterly important and it envisages co-financing of the interest payments on borrowings. These projects will be presented as early as in September" added the Prime Minister of Georgia.
As noted by the Head of Government of Georgia, intensive communication is held with SMEs and the referred programs are being developed by the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development on the grounds of information received from them.
Prime Minister's Press Office