Georgia’s PM: Our goal is to establish Georgia as a European country

This was the main message spoken by Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili when he met members of the United States (US) business sector in Tbilisi today.

We have to unite society around positive goals, overcome polarisation and achieve a consensus between society and business representatives,” said Kvirikashvili while he met members of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), the largest international business chamber in Georgia uniting more than 170 company members.

This afternoon Georgia’s PM attended a working lunch at AmCham’s head office in Tbilisi where he presented the country's development and reform agenda.

He said the Government’s main goal was to develop and establish Georgia as a European country that enjoyed positive bilateral relations with its partners, including the EU.

Due to our constructive approach towards our northern neighbour [Russia], we have achieved stability which allows us to get closer to Europe and NATO,” he added.

The four reforms Kvirikashvili introduced to AmCham today were:

Modifying Georgia’s income tax rules – This reform was about aligning the country’s tax system with the Corporate Income Tax (CIT) – the Estonian Taxation Model. Under the Estonian Taxation Model all businesses, except profit-sharing businesses, should be exempted from income tax.

Reform is an important part of our support for start-up businesses. Georgia is no longer a post-Soviet country but the post-Soviet mentality still exists among young people. Young people need to have business-oriented knowledge. An example of this is the Technology Park, which will help them to focus on business,” said Kvirikashvili.

Governance reform - A special unit, called Front Office, will be created at the Administration of the Government of Georgia to monitor transparency and deadlines of decision-making processes.

Accelerating Georgia’s infrastructure projects – The aim of this reform was to implement infrastructural projects "in the shortest time”. Kvirikashvili said all major projects currently underway or planned for the near future should be completed in about four years instead of by 2023.

Higher education reform – The Georgian Government planned to introduce the German model of higher education where authorities will fund the most needed professions.

Kvirikashvili also discussed another initiative about developing the capital market and to reform the state pension system.

The Prime Minister noted the reform cannot be successful without the support of the private sector and the business community. He expressed gratitude to AmCham and its president, Sara Williamson, for its cooperation and support as Georgia carried out its ambitious reform agenda.

Williamson wished good luck to the Government and pledged her full support for the country as it continued to develop.