Former deputy economy minister Otar Danelia appointed business ombudsman

Otar Danelia, Georgia’s former first deputy economy minister and Head of the National Agency of Mines, has been appointed business ombudsman by prime minister Irakli Garibashvili, with the decision revealed on Wednesday.

Garibashvili met Danelia at the Administration of the Government of Georgia earlier today, wishing the new appointee success in the new role.

In the meeting, the PM said supporting business was a priority of the Georgian government, pledging “maximum support” for development in the sector as a “prerequisite” for economic growth and job creation.

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Garibashvili also gave specific instructions to the new ombudsman while highlighting the importance of open cooperation with business, as well as fewer barriers and as little bureaucracy as possible for the private sector.

The meeting also saw the officials stress the importance of maximising business access to public services, a release from the government administration said.

Otar Danelia most recently served as the First Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, with a previous stint as the Head of the National Agency of Mines.

Between 2016-2020 he was the Chairman of the Parliamentary Agriculture Committee, preceded by work as agriculture minister between 2014-2016.