BAG Hosting the Representatives of the USAID Economic Development Office

1 Jun '10

President of the Association George Chirakadze and its representatives met the USAID Economic Development Office Director, Douglas Balko and Project Manager Revaz Ormotsadze on June 1.

The meeting aimed at acquaintanceship and at discussing the cooperation opportunities between BAG and USAID.

USAID Economic Development Program in Georgia provides for institutional and intellectual capacity development both in public and private sectors. The projects are designed for improving the business climate, expanding the access to capital, enhancing business-doing skills, setting up a normally functioning land market, improving agricultural performance, increasing competition between the business sectors and expanding economic opportunities in rural areas.

As stated by Douglas Balko the Project envisages delivery of works valued at 45 million USD for the development of private sector and implementation of economic and infrastructural projects. In this regard cooperation with the Business Association is quite important for them since the resources and experience available at the Association will facilitate the success of the Project.

BAG President George Chirakadze provided the invitees with the information on the Association's objectives, forms and areas of activity. The speech also covered Association's future plans providing for further activation of agricultural development and SME promotion.

The activities of Association's Committees and their close cooperation with respective governmental institutions were emphasized at the meeting.

The guests' interest was especially provoked by the Association's activity in support of the private pension system reform, sophistication of tax code and labor legislation.