Page 36 - GEORptAug21

Georgia signs MoU with US on 5G security
Black Sea partners in order to “jointly promote the sustainable development of the region, as well as make full use of the opportunities that the Black Sea provides for wider and secure connectivity between Europe and Asia.”
Georgia and the US have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on strengthening cooperation in fifth-generation (5G) wireless communications networks.
At the core of the MoU is a set of agreed good practices that the two sides should implement in the development of their 5G networks with a view to avoiding security risks. More specifically, the good practices are broadly interpreted as a way of banning Huawei and other companies controlled by Chinese government, defined as “malign actors”, and providing the necessary technology used by telecom operators to develop their 5G networks.
The US and Georgia emphasised a statement from the Prague 5G Security Conference – framing the “Prague Proposals” – as an important step towards developing a common approach to 5G network security, and ensuring a secure, resilient, and trustworthy 5G ecosystem. The Prague Proposals stress the need to develop, deploy, and commercialise 5G networks based on free and fair competition, transparency and the rule of law.
More specifically, under the MoU, Georgia agrees that in order to promote a vibrant and robust 5G ecosystem, “a rigorous evaluation of suppliers [of 5G hardware and software] should take into account the rule of law; the security environment; ethical supplier practices; and a supplier’s compliance with secure standards and industry best practices.”
Specifically, evaluations should be made as to whether network hardware and software suppliers are subject, without independent judicial review, to control by a foreign government.
Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani said that “today’s signing is yet another manifestation of the multidimensional strategic partnership’ between Georgia and the US.”
“The signing of the 5G memorandum and its successful implementation serves this very goal and will increase US companies’ interest in Georgia. Moreover, the launch of new and up-to-date technologies will contribute to Georgia’s sustainable economic development”, Zalkaliani added.
By signing the memorandum, Georgia has joined the US Clean Network programme “safeguarding the nation’s assets including citizens’ privacy and companies’ most sensitive information from aggressive intrusions by malign actors”.
6.0 Public Sector 6.1 Budget
Georgia envisages lower public deficit helped by stronger GDP growth
Georgia's government has revised its public budget planning for this year to include stronger growth. The country's 2021 GDP expansion is expected to come in at 6.5% under the latest official outlook, compared to the 4.3% anticipated during the initial drafting of the budget planning.
36 GEORGIA Country Report August 2021 www.intellinews.com