Less bureaucracy, “stable and democratic” government change in imprisoned ex-pres. Saakashvili’s plan on Georgia’s economic development

Georgia needs “less bureaucracy, stable and democratic change of government, less state intervention in the economy” and other elements for achieving economic development, the imprisoned former president Mikheil Saakashvili’s plan for the country reads, with the politician revealing key points on Thursday.

Saakashvili, who completed work on his vision for Georgia’s economic prospects in January, also lists “fully digitised public services, non-corrupt and competent court” as well as “complete elimination of corruption and protection of private property” among his points from the plan.

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The former president also claims a need for judicial reform, noting “Georgia must allow the unrestricted use of English law throughout the country,” adding “economic crimes must be decriminalised.”

Saakashvili’s economic plan also focuses on the energy development, stressing a need for change in the attitude toward hydroelectric power plant (HPP) in Georgia, on the backdrop of public protests against recent projects to build such infrastructure in several regional areas.

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HPPs must be built in Georgia, but this must be done as a result of a complete, in-depth and qualified analysis,” says Saakashvili in his paper.

The plan also incorporates other points such as infrastructure and transportation, claiming “Georgia must become a logistical centre of the region” via the implementation of large-scale infrastructure projects. The former president also reviews the agricultural sector, stressing “new technologies play a major role in this direction.”

The former president originally revealed his work on the plan to the public on January 5. 

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Saakashvili, now a citizen of Ukraine, had been found guilty of abuse of power in two cases in absentia in 2018 and is currently serving his sentence of six years of imprisonment, following his clandestine return to Georgia in late September 2021.

He faces additional charges including illegal seizure of property, embezzlement, illegal rally dispersal, and illegal border crossing.