In order to maximize the global competitiveness of the Georgian economy and the maximum use of Georgia's scientific potential, we defined 3 main technological directions of the country: artificial intelligence, bacteriophages and agro-technologies. Important scientific, intellectual and infrastructural resources will be mobilized in all three directions, said the First Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development during his speech before the parliamentarians in the "Minister's Hour" format.

According to the minister, this will significantly contribute to the growth of the global competitiveness of the Georgian economy.

According to Levan Davitashvili, in 2024, the implementation of projects and programs promoting innovation and technology development will continue in the country.

"In the near future, we will present a draft law in the parliament, where new statuses will be defined for Georgian companies and important supporting mechanisms will be developed," said Levan Davitashvili.

According to him, these statuses are: "innovative startup", "innovative small and medium enterprise" and "exclusively research and development (R&D) company".

According to Levan Davitashvili, companies with the status of "innovative startup" will be exempt from income and profit taxes for 3 years. As for innovative small and medium-sized enterprises, they will have the opportunity to consider their R&D expenses in five times the amount and reduce the profit tax. At the same time, companies of this status will be able to To get back up to 30% of R&D expenses in the form of grants.As for the third status, these companies will be equalized with the status of international companies and will benefit from 5% income and profit taxes.

According to Levan Davitashvili, the Innovation and Technology Agency of Georgia, which has completed 10 years since its establishment, financed 239 startups within the framework of the co-financing grant program - in the amount of 38 million GEL, and as a result, the startups generated private financial benefits of 500 million GEL. According to the minister, in 2024, 40 new startups will be financed with a 150,000 GEL grant. In addition, in order to further promote startups, a completely new, full-scale incubation program will be developed this year, which will annually prepare and finance up to 160 startups from 2025.

Levan Davitashvili also drew attention to the expansion of the network of technoparks in Georgia, where the implementation of innovative and technological entrepreneurship development and education promoting projects will be actively continued in all technoparks. According to him, the Senaki and Kutaisi technoparks are planned to be opened in 2024, and the regional grant program will continue, within the framework of which this year up to 40 startups will be financed with a 25,000 GEL grant.