Georgia strengthens friendship with its donors

More than 500 projects valued at more than six billion GEL are being funded in Georgia by international organisations, donor countries and financial institutions, announced Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili at the opening of a special event involving foreign investors.

Garibashvili yesterday opened the Annual Coordination Forum of Donors, which is being held in Tbilisi for the first time.

"I’m honored to lay a foundation for the annual donor coordination forum, which, I believe, will become an important platform for dialogue between Georgia and its partner states,” Garibashvili said.

In his speech he underlined that the total amount of about 500 projects financed by donor countries, various international organisations and financial institutions exceeded six billion GEL.

In his address, the PM told the representatives of donor countries that their support was "invaluable” for Georgia.

"This support significantly helps Georgia to become a leading country without poverty, with strong democratic institutions and strong economy. And such forums help Georgia to have tighter relationship with its partner countries,” Garibashvili said.

Furthermore, the PM said he believed the time would come when Georgia becomes a donor country as a member of the international community.

At the same forum Georgia’s Economy Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili said Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) were extremely important for the country. In 2014 FDIs had increased by 35 percent compared to 2013. As for 2013, the number of FDIs had increased by 40 percent on 2012.

Kvirikashvili promised Georgia would continue its active cooperation with international investors and do its best to attract more FDIs to the country.

Meanwhile Garibashvili continued speaking and noted the country tried to use foreign resources as efficiently as possible.

"I want to share with you our view of the future in order to attain better results,” he said.

The Prime Minister said he believed the Annual Coordination Forum of Donors will further deepen cooperation between participating counties.

He thanked the forum participants for their involvement, cooperation and partnership.

"Your support not only proves your friendship and trust towards Georgia, but it also gives us hope that the international community will make the world a better and a more secure place through joint efforts,” Garibashvili concluded.