2021-05-17
"Today we will be signing an agreement with the World Bank within the scope of which 85 000 000 Euros will be allocated to the country as a post-pandemic support of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME)" announced Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia at the Executive Government Meeting today.
According to him, the project envisages new, innovative systems to be established for express payments, thus benefiting enterprises by effectively gaining greater access to cash upon its implementation by the National Bank of Georgia (NBG).
"Referred Agreement on Financial Assistance has resulted from successful negotiations between the World Bank and Ministry of Finance of Georgia with an engagement of the Minister. The Executive Board of the World Bank made a decision on May 11, 2021. Minister of Economy - Natia Turnava - was also actively engaged in the process.
You may well be aware that we receive a very significant support from our donor countries and agencies to benefit the enterprises affected by the pandemic. I wish to express my gratitude to the World Bank and its Regional Director for South Caucasus for supporting the project.
Enterprise Georgia - a legal entity of public law (LEPL) will be carrying out the oversight of the referred project.
Development of small and medium enterprises (SME) is one of the key priorities for us and will be designing other additional incentives to be presented in the nearest future" stated the Prime Minister of Georgia.
Irakli Garibashvili also discussed the mobility restriction.
"We have heard many complaints about the curfew being a nuisance. We will discuss this issue and make a decision based on the Health Ministry's recommendations," the Head of Government stated.
The Prime Minister, emphasizing the epidemiological situation, pointed out that, as summer draws closer, the tourist flow into Georgia will grow, so it is important for the Government to deal with the tourist inflow adequately.
"As for the epidemiological situation, the Coordination Council will convene after our Cabinet meeting. Of course, we are monitoring the situation closely, and the Ministry and the system are managing the situation effectively and with due diligence. As you know, as summer draws closer, the tourist flow into Georgia will grow, so it is important for the Government to deal with the tourist inflow adequately. Lately, we have heard many complaints about the curfew being a nuisance. We will discuss this issue and make a decision based on the Health Ministry's recommendations," Irakli Garibashvili said.
The Head of Government also spoke about successful vaccine negotiations, notably the import of additional Pfizer vaccines this summer, namely in June-July.
"We are negotiating quite effectively and successfully with vaccine manufacturers. One option of supply goes through COVAX platform and first lots have already been received. Second channel of supply goes through direct interaction with vaccine manufacturers. We will be in the position of sharing detailed information on this in a few days together with the Minister of Health. More specifically, we are referring to the import of additional dozes from Pfizer in summer - around June-July. We are negotiating a million doses. I was personally involved in the process and held a number of phone conversations with a President of Pfizer" stated Irakli Garibashvili.
In addition and according to the Head of Government of Georgia, negotiations are progressing with Sinopharm and Sinovac pharmaceuticals on the supply of additional doses. Same applies to Moderna and Novavax on the procurement of new vaccines.
"We are negotiating directly with Chinese vaccine manufacturers at Sinopharm and Sinovac on the supply of additional doses. Also, new vaccines are being procured from Moderna and Novavax. Thus, we are quite optimistic. Agreements have been signed and additional dozes will be received in the coming months. Hence, no delays will occur in the process of vaccination" stated Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia.
In discussing the Renewed Regions project, Irakli Garibashvili emphasized that the initiative is up and running.
"The large-scale work announced by us, and the Renewed Regions project, is successfully underway. I would like to ask Mister Irakli Karseladze to present the population with an interim report of sorts, to inform them where we stand now and how the process is unfolding. In recent days, we have heard much disinformation and lies designed to mislead the population, the reason why I am asking you to inform the population," the Prime Minister said.
Today's Cabinet meeting discussed 12 issues on its agenda.
Press Service of the Government Administration