Georgia, Tbilisi, Dec. 28 / Trend N. Kirtskhalia /
Georgian National Bank has taken steps to fight inflation, the Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said yesterday while making a speech during a charity dinner with Georgian and foreign businessmen.
At the event, the president also shared his views with the businessmen on the changes in the Georgian economy.
Saakashvili admitted that the measures taken by the National Bank were "not very good for business" and said that he was concerned about the increase in inflationary rates in the country, which was particularly due to a hike in global fuel prices.
However, Saakashvili said that economic growth in Georgia during 2010 was more than 6 percent, which is a good indicator, given the global economic and financial situation. He also emphasized that Georgia ranks 12th in the world for providing convenience in business, with the corruption almost equaling zero. In addition, it became possible to reduce unemployment for the first time in 2010.
"In 2010, despite the very serious turbulence was important for our economy, not only its fall stooped, but more than 6 percent growth was recorded. Growth is great, based on global trends," Saakashvili said. However, according to Saakashvili, the economy could be more stable, if the Georgian opposition protests had not damaged it.
Speaking about the country's plans, Saakashvili said that Georgia "should become Singapore of the region" and everything favors it, including liberal tax policy. He regarded the development of sea and mountain tourism as one of the main priorities. "We are ideally prepared to invest in Georgia, and it is extremely important for Georgia to become what it aspires to be - Singapore of the region," Saakashvili said.