Saakashvili calls for “double effort” to boost the country’s economy

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili spoke about the prospects of developing the Georgian economy on Wednesday. Speaking at the Ministry of Agriculture, Saakashviil said that Georgia is expecting 5-6 percent growth in the current year. “This is a very good indicator, considering the situation in the world and in the region. Next year we hope to get back to the previous rhythm of development, which should turn us into the ‘European Singapore’ in terms of economy,” he said.

The term “Singaporisation’ means improving the living standards of the people first of all, the Georgian President said at the meeting, also attended by Prime Minister Nika Gilauri. “Becoming like Singapore is of course a gradual process, however we should achieve double digit growth, advance in terms of investment growth and develop all levels of our economy. Of course this process also involves creating new jobs, bringing more prosperity to our people and taking significant steps to becoming an exemplary state in the region,” the President said, adding however that it would be impossible to achieve all of this “with the usual work.”

Saakashvili suggested that “patriots” and “professionals” should work in state institutions to begin the process of “Singaporisation.” “Our work can be measured by finding out how active we were today compared to yesterday. We do not need bureaucrats, we need energetic, patriotic professionals, who think daily about proposing new ideas, attracting more investors and working in a more effective way,” the President said at the meeting.

In parallel with the European Constitution Georgia is adopting a “most liberal” Economic model, Saakashvili noted, adding that this would promote development. “We need to do very proactive work, as Georgia is moving to the European model of constitution. At the same time we are implementing the most liberal economic model that can exist in the modern world. That’s why we need very creative and sensible people,” he added.

Saakashvili stressed the need for “double effort” to boost the flow of investments into Georgia. “The inflow of investments to the country has revived, but it is not enough. There are however very good prospects. Many investors have arrived in Georgia. They are ready to invest their money here due to several geopolitical factors,” he said.

The President expressed his discontent at the quantity of agricultural exports. He said that the current figure of 25 percent of exports should increase annually. He named agriculture as one of the “priority” spheres in the country, adding that it is “quite easy” to double the share of agriculture in the country’s GDP. “What we need for this is an agronomic specialist in every village, and we have already started working on this programme. As for mechanisation, you do of course know that we have imported 122 tractors and 25 combines to Georgia,” he noted, adding that the quantity of agricultural exports from Georgia should increase at the same pace as the number of tourists arriving.

Georgia is establishing itself as a country freed from the “invader”, Saakashvili said at the Ministry of Agriculture. The President noted that as Georgian products are still barred from the Russian market Georgia has had to find new markets. “This is a process of decolonisation, because we are returning to our niche on the world market. We should find new markets in all directions,” the President said.