Deputy Economic Minister: Georgia's “leading position” in SME Index “recognition” of Gov’t’s “successful” economic policy

Paweł Herczyński, the Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia, and Lydia Christman, the Head of the Cooperation Development Department of the Embassy of Germany in the South Caucasus, also attended the presentation. Photo: Ministry of Economy

Agenda.ge, 01 Mar 2024 - 19:09, Tbilisi,Georgia

Vakhtang Tsintsadze, the Georgian Deputy Economy Minister, on Friday said the country’s “leading position” in the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Policy Index involving the EU’s Eastern Partnership countries was a “recognition” of the Government's “successful” economic policy.

Tsintsadze, who on Friday attended the presentation of the SME Policy Index by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, said the index “once again confirmed” the country was an “undisputed leader” in the development of small and medium businesses  compared to the states of the EU's Eastern Partnership.

The Georgian Ministry said the presentation made by the representative of OECD highlighted Georgia’s progress in the ranking, according to which the country was a leader in 11 out of the 12 directions and held the first position for the fourth time.

The body also added the OECD evaluated the SME Policy Index every four years and assessed countries according to five important areas such as responsible government,  entrepreneurial human capital, access to finance, market access, innovation and business promotion.

It also said the event also discussed a joint project of OECD and the GIZ, the German Society for International Cooperation, for establishing an “appropriate ecosystem” for the digitisation of small and medium-sized businesses and increasing their competitiveness. 

The presentation featured Daniel Quadbeck, the representative of the OECD, Tsisnami Sabadze, the National Coordinator of the OECD’s SME Policy Index from the Ministry, and representatives of the diplomatic corps and business associations.

Paweł Herczyński, the Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia, and Lydia Christman, the Head of the Cooperation Development Department of the Embassy of Germany in the South Caucasus, also attended the presentation.