Question: How are you focusing your efforts during this difficult time?
Answer: As you can imagine, it is a 24/7 job these days and I am laser-focused on two distinct areas. My first priority is to see to the needs of our people, our greatest and most vital treasure. We are investing large sums of money to bring cash and services to those in need as well as to make the economy and daily life more accessible to all. For example, I have been working with the World Bank which has pledged 35 million Euros to bring high speed Internet capacity to all areas of the country, not just our cities. This will do so much to bridge the urban-rural divide in our country. Similarly, UNICEF has applauded Georgia’s financial assistance and has said it significantly contributes to poverty reduction. On the macro level, we just received reaffirmation of a stable credit rating, which is essential for foreign businesses as well as our own. Also, we are once again rated as a great place to do business because we have eliminated virtually all remnants of corruption.
Question: What is your assessment of the current state of the Georgian economy?
Answer: I would never have believed I would say that a decline of just 5% of economic activity (GDP) in July was a good sign, but it is better than preceding pandemic months and an indication of our stabilization and steady momentum to safely re-open and regain our economic vitality. Similarly, a stable monetary rating is a strong reflection of our actions to date and the longer-term view of our prospects as we move ahead. All in all, I am cautiously optimistic about our overall economic performance.
Question: Which areas give you the most optimism?
Answer: No single area, rather our across-the-board approach gives me great confidence that we have a wide and broad recovery plan in place. For instance, our early cash support for small and medium-size businesses; tuition grants for students; expanded social safety net support for families and other targeted programs have helped cushion the blow to our people. And innovative programs such as the recently announced ‘Remotely in Georgia’ program, the uptick in tourism and ramped up logistic hub activity are all great signs of our comeback. I am also very bullish on the positive economic impact of free, fair and open elections that will bring additional stability to our people and our place in the global economy.