2021-03-30

You have my full support, and my key policy will be as follows: To cooperate with businesses as openly as possible, and we will be a business-oriented, probusiness government, which we already are, but we intend to do even more, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili stated in his speech at today's presentation of the enhanced project 100 Investment Offers to Business, an event attended by representatives of the business sector.

In the opening remarks of his speech, the Head of Government expressed gratitude to businesses, singling them out as a sector hit the hardest by the COVID pandemic.

"We all-the population, our citizens, and all businesses, the key employers and actual creators of the country's wealth-have found ourselves in a very difficult situation. Consequently, on behalf of the Government, I reiterate my sincere gratitude to you for everything you are doing to develop the country's economy, to employ our citizens, and set the stage for real development. This is my first formal meeting with you, though we will have opportunities to hold active meetings in other formats, to discuss all concerns that businesses may have. We understand that there are many problems in the country. Tomorrow, we will be able to meet in a narrower format to discuss all key issues concerning businesses, all problems facing you. I assure you that we fully realize that our situation today is quite difficult, because the COVID pandemic is a serious challenge not just for our country, but globally. We have a concrete vision of how to emerge from this crisis. This vision involves stepping up the process of vaccination as a precondition for revitalizing the population, businesses, and the economy. Secondly, we must start active cooperation and coordination," Irakli Garibashvili said.

The Head of Government spoke about the 10-year plan for the country's development which is already under development on his personal instructions. He also emphasized the importance of active engagement from the business community.

"We have already established the Development Council. Next week, we will launch a series of working meetings with business representatives. We want to present our vision and the concrete 10-year development plan, detailed by sector, in late May. Of course, your involvement in this process of vitally important to us, because this plan cannot be implemented without you. We want to hear your recommendations, visions, comments, and critical views, and we are absolutely open to that. And you have my full support-I will hear your recommendations and views. We understand well that the Government, on its own, cannot solve and overcome this crisis that has been welling up in the country for years. We understand that we need a predictable environment, and businesses today need a stable and predictable environment, meaning political stability, macroeconomic stability, and so on. Accordingly, I reiterate my gratitude to you for this day, and I reaffirm my full support to you," the Prime Minister addressed the business community.

Irakli Garibashvili also underlined that the Government gives priority to ensuring as few barriers for businesses as possible, at both the Central Government's and regional levels.

"My vision is for businesses to encounter as few obstacles, and as little bureaucracy, as possible, at both the Central Government's and regional levels. Also, swift decisions and coordinated cooperation involving the state, businesses, and citizens-these three entities must unite. Today is a time of unity, my friends, so that together we may lead our country from this deep recession that has been welling up for years. I will refrain from listing those fundamental problems that have been accumulating in the country since the 1990s. All that stems from short-term shocks and unpredictable decision. These are the problems that we have inherited. And they must be solved. Once again, I reiterate our commitment to cooperation and reaffirm our support to you," Irakli Garibashvili added.

The Prime Minister also discussed his vision of accelerating the process of privatization of state-owned property, underlining that about 3 billion USD's worth of property is ready for privatization.

"We will start offering this property in stages. Today, we offer 400 million GEL's worth of property. We will do everything to secure more support and assistance for you at both the central and regional levels," the Prime Minister pointed out and thanked Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Natia Turnava for organizing the event.

The enhanced project 100 Investment Offers to Business was presented by Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Natia Turnava at Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metechi Palace.

The event was attended by members of Georgia's executive and legislative branches, business and banking sectors.

Press Service of the Government Administration