PM - We will never make Georgia the economically developed country unless we carry out large-scale investments in the education sector

We will never make Georgia the economically developed country unless we carry out large-scale investments in the education sector, - Prime Minister of Georgia Mamuka Bakhtadze said on Tuesday during his speech at the Economic Conference - "Georgia and the World in 2019".

According to the Prime Minister, the reforms carried out by Georgia in recent years “have brought very tangible results.”

“The reforms carried out by us in recent years brought very tangible results. A few days ago I returned from the World Economic Forum in Davos and it was very proud to me that because of the bold reforms we are carrying out, Georgia was referred to as the best example of transformation of democracy and economic development for other countries.

At the same time, of course, everyone should remember that this is not enough. Poverty remains the main and painful challenge for Georgia, and we are doing everything to achieve inclusive growth in Georgia, the kind of economic growth that will benefit well-being of each citizen,” Mamuka Bakhtadze said.

The Prime Minister spoke about the importance of the regional development.

“The inclusive growth is unimaginable without development of small and medium businesses, therefore, the main priority of my government is the small and medium business, "said PM Bakhtadze.

According to the head of the Government, the most important message he heard at the World Economic Forum was that Georgia has all the prerequisites “to become an economic center of the entire region”.

“We are the gateway for 8 landlocked countries. Consequently, this is a very big potential, but at the same time - great responsibility. This is the reason why we have increased investments in infrastructure in recent years. This is the reason why we are eager to have the appropriate infrastructure, deep-sea port within the shortest period of time. I would like to underline the pending projects of global importance and I am sure that we will carry out a number of important projects with joint efforts to our partners. The main asset for us, as for the country, is our society, people. I have repeatedly said that the economic policies we are implementing will reduce poverty in the country, but we will never be able to put Georgia in the number of countries with developed economies if we do not carry out large-scale investments in the education sector,” PM Bakhtadze said adding that at least 10-11 percent of the country’s gross domestic product must be allocated for the educational field from both public and private sectors.

“This will give us the success. Development of the knowledge- based economy and human capital is the absolute priority of our government ", the Prime Minister said.