Gov’t of Georgia submits a report to Parliament on the implementation of government program for 2019-2020
By Natalia Kochiashvili
Wednesday, June 3
The Government of Georgia has submitted a report to the Parliament on the implementation of the government program for 2019-2020. The document is 105 pages long.
According to the report, the Georgian government is actively and deliberately pursuing reforms in line with the Unified Government's vision and government program, which aims to strengthen the democratic state, improve the welfare of the population, sustainable economic development, restore territorial integrity and Georgia's complete integration into European and Euro-Atlantic space.
The government notes that the country's European and Euro-Atlantic integration remains a top priority.
“Along with the institutional and legislative rapprochement with the European Union, it is very important to strengthen Georgia-EU relations and bring them to a qualitatively new level, especially in the areas of education, labor market, transport, communications, energy and other areas,” reads the report. It also mentions that Georgia can serve as a hub for Europe to provide access to a wider region, thus, strengthening the above-mentioned economic ties, including through the development of relevant infrastructure on the Black Sea, is particularly important.
The government says that despite the small reporting period and the developments related to COVID-19 in 2020, under conditions of effective management and increased coordination, the Georgian government has achieved tangible results in all 4 key areas of the government program. In particular, the government claims to have prioritised security and human rights - ensuring the security of the country is a key foundation for development and accordingly, the government, in this regard, has worked intensively to mobilise the efforts and support of the international community for the effective implementation of foreign policy priorities in order to strengthen the country's sovereignty and ensure territorial integrity.
According to the government, the implementation of existing and new tools for integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures has continued. Work has been carried out to help residents living in the occupied territories and to restore dialogue and confidence along the occupation lines, a new wave of reforms has entered into an active phase to ensure the readiness of the defense forces and to create decent conditions for personnel. The process of systematic renewal of public order, public safety and penitentiary institutions continues. “The institutional mechanisms for the protection of human rights are being refined, and at the same time the foundation has been laid for the development of a new, long-term national strategy for the protection of human rights,” the report said.
The document talks about economic development as well. 2019 is assessed quite positively in these terms, given that economic growth was higher than planned and stood at 5.1%.
Along with economic growth, reforms and the development of the business sector, the unemployment rate has fallen (11.6%) to its lowest level in 18 years. The output of small and medium-sized businesses increased significantly - by 18.6%, and its share in the total output of the business sector amounted to 61.2%, which had a positive impact on employment of the population.
A new phase of involvement of state-owned property in economic activity was initiated, in which the 2019 plan was implemented by 116.7% and ?78,217,120 was transferred to the state budget from the funds received as a result of privatized facilities. Reforms in the field of transport, agriculture, efficient management of natural resources, energy have entered an active phase,
The government report speaks of measures taken to improve education as well. According to the document, the process of implementing state standards in the field of early and pre-school education has continued.
At the level of general education, both infrastructure projects and the introduction of a ‘new school model’ in 166 pilot schools has continued in line with priority areas. “Teacher development programs are being improved and their salaries are being increased,” report claims. The access and quality of vocational education is being improved as well.
According to the executive branch, there is no doubt that the world pandemic has had a significant impact on important government achievements. However, as part of the fight against the virus, the government provides health and life support to citizens, their social support, entrepreneurship, economic support, and intensive work with international partners to maximize the impact of the crisis on attracting the necessary financial flows. The report highlights that Georgia is “one of the most successful examples of the fight against COVID-19 today, as evidenced by many international assessments.”
