Bakhtadze Calls for Large Scale Education Investments

Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze spoke yesterday at the 2019 Georgia and the World Economic Conference in Tbilisi. The conference, January 29-30, was held at, at Tbilisi's Tech Park (TechnoPark), under the aegis of the World 2019 annual edition of The Economist.

During the conference, Bakhtadze spoke on many important aspects of Georgia's economic development, focusing particularly on the importance of education. "We will never make Georgia an economically developed country unless we carry out large-scale investments in the education sector," he emphasized, recommending that 10-11% of the country’s GDP be dedicated to public and private sector education.

“The reforms carried out by us in recent years have brought very tangible results. A few days ago I returned from the World Economic Forum in Davos and I was very proud that, because of the bold reforms we are carrying out, Georgia was referred to as the best example of transformation into democracy and economic development for other countries. At the same time, of course, everyone should remember that this is not enough. Poverty remains the main and painful challenge for Georgia, and we are doing everything to achieve inclusive growth in Georgia, the kind of economic growth that will benefit well-being of each citizen...Inclusive growth is unimaginable without development of small and medium businesses, therefore, the main priority of my government is the small and medium business," said Bakhtadze.

He also pressed Georgia's opportunity to be a regional hub, saying “We are the gateway for 8 landlocked countries. Consequently, this is a very big potential, but at the same time - great responsibility. This is the reason why we have increased investments in infrastructure in recent years. This is the reason why we are eager to have the appropriate infrastructure, a deep-sea port, within the shortest period of time."  

“This will give us success. Development of a knowledge- based economy and human capital is the absolute priority of our government," Bakhtadze continued, noting "The main asset for us, as for the country, is our society - people. I have repeatedly said that the economic policies we are implementing will reduce poverty in the country, but we will never be able to put Georgia in the number of countries with developed economies if we do not carry out large-scale investments in the education sector."

By Samantha Guthrie

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