Tbilisi. The Georgian Young Economists' Association has released a statement on the draft Competition Law. "We believe that the objective of this Law is to improve market relations, but the increase in fines may create significant problems for the large players on the market. Increase of fines will have an adverse effect on the existing large business entities and will hinder the formation of new large players. Accordingly, we call on the authors of the draft Law not to increase the fines," says the statement. For the full text. Source: Young Economists' Association.

Samtskhet-Javakheti. On 21 March the lawyers of the NGO "Article 42 of the Constitution” held a meeting in Democratic Participation Centre in Akhaltsikhe. The topic was tax payment problems.

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia released a blog post - "Microfinance to farmers threatened by agricultural land ban". "A recent change in the law, initiated by the Ministry of Economy, is anti-competitive, discriminates against microfinance lenders ("MFIs”) with foreign shareholders – and makes it substantially more difficult for Georgian farmers to have access to foreign credit for agricultural loans", says they blog post. For the full text  Source:transparency.ge

Tbilisi. The Georgian Young Economists' Association has released a statement on the beneficial procedure of import taxation. They react to possible invalidation of a special procedure for VAT taxation of import. "We consider that invalidation of this procedure is important for improving a competitive environment. Existing procedure places importers and local manufacturers in unequal conditions. Further, it offers benefits to large importers only, which has an adverse effect on the small and medium business," says the organization's web page in the social network. For the full text (geo) Source: the organization's web page in the social network.

Adjara.Trainings "Formation and Management of small enterprises” was held by the association "Worthy Ageness”. The trainings were divided into 2 stages, where beneficiaries were introduced to financial and legislation issues concerning enterprises.At the end 10 beneficiaries who have viable business projects will get funding, which will cover all the necessary resources. Source:the organization's page in the social network

Tbilisi. Transparency International – Georgia has released a publication: "Priorities of the 2012-2014 Budgets of Georgia: Analysis and Recommendations", authored by MikheilKukava. For the full text. Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. The Young Economists have released a publication on the Entrepreneurship Development Agency. By the February 13 decision, the "Entrepreneurship Development Agency" is set up in the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia. "Agencies of similar profile function in the Eastern European states for years now, which have gone through the same route of development that we are on today. The Georgian Young Economists' Association welcomes its establishment and expresses hope that this Agency will play a significant role in the development of small and medium enterprises. We believe it is crucial for the Entrepreneurship Development Agency to share the experience of other countries," states the publication. In the publication the organization reviews the projects and functions of the Estonian Entrepreneurship Agency. For the full text (geo) Source: the organization's web page in the social network.

Tbilisi. The Eurasia Partnership Foundation has organized the first Change Agents' Forum on February13-14, with participation of civil activists, artists and representatives of media, state and civil society organizations and private companies. One of the sessions of the Forum was dedicated to social entrepreneurship, which aimed to demonstrate the potential of social entrepreneurship in terms of social changes and introduction of social innovations. At the session, focus was made on the notion of a social enterprise in Georgia's context and various forms of cooperation were discussed in the field of social entrepreneurship among the state, business and non-government sectors with the aim of overcoming concrete social problems. Source: cse.ge

Adjara. Currently the training is held in the Elderly Association for the adult beneficiaries on the issues concerning small enterprises. The teaching course is about the development of a new business. The training is held by the union of young scholars "Intelekti”. Source: Web-page of the organization in social network

Tbilisi. The Young Economists' Association has released the publication "Non-Taxable Minimum". The organization focuses on positive and negative aspects of this mechanism. For the full text Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Tbilisi. The Young Economists' Association has studied the reasons of alteration of GEL's exchange rate in respect of USD during the recent period. According to the organization's assessment, devaluation of GEL was not associated either with the growth of business activities or seasonal factors. For the full text. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Tbilisi. A meeting on "Socio-Economic Challenges of Khudonhesi" was held on February 3 in "Frontline Georgia". Representatives of CSO "Green Alternative" MananaKochladze and Davit Chipashvili have discussed forced resettlement, human rights, as well as the economic profitability issues related to the Khudonhesi (Khudoni Hydroelectric Power Station) project. The meeting. Source: page of "Frontline Georgia" in the social network.

Tbilisi. Economic Policy Research Center published a new repot  - "Management of Non-Performing Loans in Georgia - Analysis and Recommendations”. The Publication Source:eprc.ge

Tbilisi. On Friday, January 24th, 12:00, at Radisson Blu Iveria hotel, Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC) presented its new report: Management of Non-Performing Loans in Georgia – Analysis and Recommendations. The project is being implemented with the support of the East West Management Institute (EWMI) program Policy, Advocacy and Civil Society Development in Georgia (G-PAC), funded through US Agency for International Development (USAID). The goal of the study was to analyze Georgia’s socio-economic situation in terms of Non-Performing Loans (NPL) issued by the banks and other financial and non-financial institutions, to compile international best-practices and experiences, and determine what would be the most applicable model/solution for Georgia. As a conclusion, we proposed a number of recommendations for shaping the state policy and private sector strategies to mitigate the problem of non-performing loans. The Report: ‘’Management of Non-Performing Loans in Georgia – Analysis and Recommendations’’ Source: eprc.ge

Tbilisi. A training in "”World Economy and Its Chief Principles” was delivered on January 15, 16 and 17 in the Consultations and Training Center. The training was delivered as part of the Civic Education and Teacher Training Program (ACETT), organized by the Consultations and Training Center.26 civic education teachers have undergone the 3-day training. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Tbilisi. Regional Media Advertisement Exhibition 2013 was held 24 December.  At the exhibition media organizations operating in Georgian regions presented to business sector representatives their work and proposed cooperation.  Exhibition was organized by the Caucasus University Media School and Open Society Georgia Foundation.  For the full text  Source:media.ge

Tbilisi. At the initiative of the Center for Social Entrepreneurship, a second joint meeting of social entrepreneurs was organized on December 20. Up to 50 representatives from social enterprises operating in Georgia and organizations working on the development of this area have attended the event. Source: cse.ge

Tbilisi. On December 12th, EPRC presented new Policy Brief Analysis and Recommendations on 2014 year Draft Budget of Georgia.  Publication  Source:eprc.ge

Tbilisi. CSO "Junior Achievement Georgia" has conducted a training program for the current and beginner journalists and bloggers with funding from the international association Civitas Georgica. The training - "Economy and Business for Journalists" - aimed at informing the journalists and bloggers in economic and legal terms, as well as business activities, and increasing their competence in the process of coverage of economy and business issues. At the end of the training the participants were awarded with certificates and they will draft an article on business issues. Source: civitas.ge

Adjara. The Democracy Institute has organized a discussion on November 26 in the Batumi Civic Engagement Center around the efficiency of amendments to the Labor Code of Georgia and the labor environment. The meeting aimed to collate different positions. The Labor Code of Georgia was amended 6 months ago and additional work is still underway.

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia released a blog post - "New USD 6bn Georgian Co-Investment Fund: Transparency will play a role in its success”. "Former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili presented and launched a private investment vehicle... Alongside other private investors, Ivanishvili said that he will invest USD 1 billion of his personal wealth in the new Georgian Co-Investment Fund (GCF). 80% of these funds will be invested in the Georgian economy over the next five years, and 20% will be invested internationally. This appears to be the most important domestic economic policy initiative to have been launched since the Georgian Dream Coalition came to power almost one year ago, although it is funded by private investors, not the Georgian government", says the blog post. For full text Source:transparency.ge

Tbilisi. AYEG has held the trainings in "Entrepreneurship” from November 9th till 24th for the Tbilisi school pupils from 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th classes. The aim of the training is to develop the knowledge and skills of schools students in entrepreneurship, through piloting the entrepreneurship education on the level of secondary education in Georgia and introducing best approaches of entrepreneurship spirit development. Together with the theoretical materials the training consists of business simulation, discussions and practical group works. The project "Piloting Entrepreneurship Education in Public Schools of Georgia” is being implemented with the financial support of the U.S. EMBASSY. During the implementation of the project AYEG was actively cooperating with the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia and with the administrations of the secondary schools. Source: economists.ge