GOVERNMENT 

Georgia is a democratic Presidential-Parliamentary republic, with the President as the Head of State, and Prime Minister as the Head of Government. Since gaining independence from the former Soviet Union, Georgia has opened up its country and its economy to the world for the last 15 years. Today, one of the government’s core economic policies involves developing the business climate to facilitate investment, integrating with international markets and attracting foreign investment.

By undertaking numerous economic reform initiatives and ensuring a strong legal system to protect investor rights, Georgia has positioned itself as an attractive destination for foreign investment.

Reform Successes:

• 2011 – "Worlds Top Reformer Over the Past 5 Years", the World Bank & IFC Doing Business Report

• 2011 – Ranked 16th out of 183 economies, World Bank & IFC Doing Business Report

• 2011 – Standard and Poors Ratings, B+

• 2011 – Fitch Ratings, B+

• 2010 – Index of Economic Freedom (Heritage Foundation), 29th place: “Mostly Free”

• 2010 – Bertelsmann Transformation (Bertelsmann Foundation) – 42nd place

• 2010 – Corruption Perception Index (Transparency International) – 68th place
  

• 2008 – 4th Friendliest Tax Regime Globally, the Forbes Tax Misery & Reform Index  

ECONOMY 

As a bridge between Europe and Asia, Georgia’s economy is highly integrated with international markets. As a Regional Headquarters for international firms, Georgia provides direct access to more than 1 billion consumers. 

Georgia’s government has implemented sweeping reforms since 2004 to offer a Liberal Tax System anda Business-Friendly Environment  to potential investors. Georgias pro-business legislation and liberal laborlaw have contributed to trade liberalization and a significant growth in local production and exports.

In 2007, Georgias 4-Year Average GDP growth was 10.5% and Foreign Investment was over USD 2 Billion.

This economic growth and increased international investment has created many social benefits, including increased education and employment opportunities, more specialized trades, expanded access to capital and international business standards.

Despite recent decreases in economic growth rates due to the global financial crisis, Georgia’s real GDP growth rate was 6.4% in 2010.