Page 10 - GEORptNov19

Nato Deputy Secretary General also praised Georgia's achievements in terms of compatibility with Nato standards and stated that Georgia is Nato’s closest partner.
Nato-Georgia Commission also released a joint statement on the occasion. The statement reads that on October 3 Nato-Georgia Commission met at Ambassadorial level in Batumi with the participation of the Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia. Allied Ambassadors and Georgia emphasize the unique scope and depth of Georgia’s relationship with the Alliance.
“Allies welcome the substantial progress on reforms in Georgia over the past decade in consolidating its democracy and achieving stronger economic development, more effective defence institutions, and modernised defence forces. The new Georgian Government is committed to continue implementing these reforms,” the press release reads.
At the Brussels Summit in 2018, Nato leaders reaffirmed that Georgia would be accepted as a member of the Alliance. Nato’s door remains open, with the Allies reiterating Georgia's support for sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.
2.6​ ​Polls & Sociology
Best score ever for Georgia in Doing Business survey despite fall to 7th place
Georgia has slipped one place to seventh, recording 83.7 points (+0.2 points from last year), in the World Bank’s Doing Business 2020 survey of 190 countries.​ The report quantitatively captures the regulation that small and medium sized companies encounter.
The latest edition of the ranking is led by New Zealand. Somalia places last.
In the starting a business sub-category, Georgia and New Zealand have the lowest number of procedures required, the survey report said, adding that “in dealing with construction permits, Georgia improved its building quality control by increasing public access to information”.
Despite slipping one place compared to last year, the country achieved its record points score and remains among the top 10 performers and ahead of countries such as the UK, Norway, Sweden and Germany.
Government officials praised the progress identified by the World Bank survey, but there was some criticism as well, since the Doing Business scoring approach has its limitations.
“Sometimes a specific figure goes beyond reality,”said Zviad Chumburidze, secretary general of the EU-Georgia Business Council, ​speaking​ a​ fter the Doing Business report was issued.
“It's not only that you can register your business in two days. The main thing is how this business develops, ”Chumburidze pointed out.
Natia Turnava, the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, stressed that Georgia was still in the best position when it comes to the 23 surveyed countries of Europe and Central Asia. As for Georgia's neighbours, Azerbaijan ranked 34th with 76.7 points and Armenia ranked 47th with 74.5 points.
10​ GEORGIA Country Report​ November 2019 ​ ​www.intellinews.com