The First Vice-President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Jurgen Rigterink met with the Prime Minister of Georgia.

According to Rigterink, he sees significant progress in the Georgian economy and positively evaluates the economic growth rate. The Vice-President underscored the currency exchange value of the GEL, current account deficit and the pace of Georgia’s positive economic tendencies.     

Giorgi Gakharia and Jurgen Rigterink also discussed the coronavirus outbreak and the toll it can have on the global economy. The attention was on the steps, which the Government took in order to minimize the negative economic effects of the coronavirus. 

“We had a very good and constructive meeting with the Georgian Prime Minister and the Finance Minister, who is also a representative in EBRD from Georgia. The country’s progress in 2019 is significant. The economic growth index is very good, which is also depicted in the investments in EBRD, which amounts to 300 mln Euros of capital investment. We conferred about our future perspectives and discussed numerous possible projects where we can put combined investments, from both the public and private sectors. The economic challenges in 2020 for Georgia, will not only transpire because of the planned elections in the 3rd quarter but because of Coronavirus as well. This is a challenge for every country. We discussed the possible economic effects of the virus. This will have an effect on the whole region and on the GDP progress. Especially in a country where tourism is an important factor for the growth of GDP”, - concluded Rigterink