Assessing Safety of Sioni and Algeti Dams

Nov, 2018

  We recently launched a new project aiming to assess two dams in the Kakheti and Kvemo Kartli regions of Georgia. PMCG, as part of a consortium led by Temelsu, will assist state-owned company Georgian Amelioration LTD, which is under the supervision of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia (MEPA).The project aims to inspect the condition of Algeti and Sioni dams, which feed Kvemo Samgori and Tbilisi-Kumisi irrigation systems, to evaluate their appurtenances and performance history, and to prepare dam safety assessment reports in accordance with World Bank policies. In pursuit of its objectives, PMCG will implement dam safety measures, procure equipment recommended in the assessment, install an automated dam monitoring system, and establish an early warning system and associated preparedness plan. Moreover, PMCG will also provide capacity assessment of local authorities and training of operational and management staff in dam safety.As a result, this project seeks to provide recommendations for remedial measures and safety-related measures necessary to upgrade these dams to an acceptable standard of safety.   Please kindly follow the link below for detailed information about the project: Independent Dam Safety Assessment and Design & Author’s Supervision of Dams Safety Activities for Algeti & Sioni Dam

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Campaign to Raise Awareness about EU Activities Aiming to Support Employment, Vocational Education and Training

Oct, 2018

We recently took part in an information campaign about the initiatives of the European Union (EU) to support employment and vocational education and training (EVET) sectors.As part of the campaign, PMCG, together with representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science, Culture and Sports, and the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from Occupied Territories, Labor, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia visited educational institutions to raise awareness and demonstrate the benefits of EU activities.The campaign was conducted as part of the EU project “Employment and Vocational Education and Training (EVET) Communication Unit,” which aims to increase awareness about the EU and its activities in Georgia in the areas of EVET. Moreover, it seeks to emphasize the short- and long-term impacts these will have on improving people's lives and the country's development.The EU is actively involved in developing vocational education and training (VET) in Georgia and introduces programs to support matchmaking of employers with potential employees through various activities.Accordingly, during the campaign, PMCG visited 10 educational institutions around the country - universities in Telavi, Gori, Kutaisi, Akhaltsikhe, Zugdidi, and Batumi, as well as four public schools in Tbilisi - and gave an opportunity to over 1000 students and pupils around the country to discuss their future education, career and employment plans with career guidance consultants and employment support service specialists.   Please kindly follow the link below for detailed information about the project: EVET Communication Unit

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New Study to Improve Access to Employment, Entrepreneurial and Educational Opportunities

Oct, 2018

PMC Research recently launched a new applied research project entitled “The regional market assessment in Georgia using components of Smart Specialization” aiming to assess the private business sector in Tbilisi and five target municipalities within Kvemo Kartli and Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti regions.The project is being implemented by PMC Research in partnership with Action Against Hunger under the GIZ project “Economic Participation of Internally Displaced Persons and Vulnerable Local Population in the South Caucasus” (EPIC).The main objective of the project is to enhance the assessment by providing information on business trends and gaps in the employment market as well as opportunities for synergies and linkages in order to identify the most concentrated and competitive sectors of the targeted regions.More specifically, PMC Research will analyze the current size of the market and the current key business sectors in the targeted regions, and identify new businesses that have been established there. Moreover, we will examine the main constraints faced by businesses in the targeted regions and the main gaps in the labor market’s demand and supply in terms of human resources, skills, knowledge and experience, and we will also study the available resources, including funding opportunities, for businesses.After analyzing the market and identifying the most concentrated and competitive sectors of the targeted regions, the assessment will support different groups of society to improve their access to employment, as well as entrepreneurial and educational opportunities.   Please kindly follow the link below for detailed information about the project: Regional Market Assessment in Georgia Using Components of Smart Specialization

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New Project to Support Azerbaijan to Strengthen Legal Protection for Women and Children who are Victims of Domestic Violence

Oct, 2018

On October 23, PMCG, as part of a consortium led by B&S Europe, launched a new EU Framework Contract in the Republic of Azerbaijan to support the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs (SCFWC) to assess the functioning of Monitoring Groups on gender-based violence and violence against children and to prepare a Twinning Fiche for a future institutional twinning project. Azerbaijan adopted the Law on Combatting Domestic Violence in 2010, however further efforts are required to ensure its effective implementation through effective functioning of Monitoring Groups on gender-based violence and violence against children. The project team will assess the gaps and needs to improve the functioning of these groups. At the same time, the consortium will work to draft a Twinning Fiche necessary for launching an institutional twinning project, and to design realistic and coherent specific policy-related actions aimed at reinforcing the quality of legal protection and awareness of victims regarding local violence.   Please kindly follow the link below for detailed information about the project: Support to the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs (SCFWC) of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Assessment of Functioning of Monitoring Groups on Gender-based Violence and Violence Against Children and Preparation for a Future Twinning

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Introducing a Landfill Gas Flaring System in Rustavi

Oct, 2018

PMCG recently launched a new project aiming to reduce air pollution by mitigating landfill gas (LFG) emissions from Rustavi Landfill. In 2016, the Rustavi landfill cell reached its capacity and was subsequently closed with the purpose of minimizing harmful effects on the environment and on human health. With a similar purpose, PMCG will contribute to the implementation of an LFG flaring system and will provide a conceptual design For the Rustavi Solid Waste Project.More specifically, PMCG will review the present status of the closed landfill cell, select an LFG flaring system, evaluate the feasibility to install and operate a combined heat and power (CHP) unit. Moreover, a detailed design of the collection, transmission, treatment and final flaring and/or power production units will be prepared.The project is being implemented by PMCG, as part of a consortium led by HPC Paseco, under a European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) project.Ultimately, the project seeks to reduce LFG emissions from Rustavi Landfill and to contribute to air pollution mitigation.   Please kindly follow the link below for detailed information about the project: Technical Assistance for Gas Flaring System Selection and Conceptual Design to Rustavi Solid Waste Project, Georgia

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New Initiative “Trade Ready” Launched to Support SMEs and Facilitate Exports

Oct, 2018

On October 16, a new initiative “Trade Ready” - was launched in Georgia, aiming to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to improve their competitiveness and results on international markets. PMCG, as a partner to leading DAI Europe, will work under this EBRD initiative, funded by the European Union. The project team will conduct a series of trainings and advisory services for the staff of partner banks and develop tailored capacity-building measures. Moreover, it will assist them in developing and testing new financial products, tailored to support SMEs to facilitate exports. At the same time, the team will assist the SMEs by providing necessary trainings on international trade and on the ways of incorporating know-how in their international operations. Aleksi Aleksishvili, CEO and Chairman at PMCG, moderated the launching event. Representatives of the public and private sectors discussed current challenges and opportunities for local SMEs and the ways in which “Trade Ready” will contribute to meeting their needs effectively. The event was opened by Bruno Balvanera, Director for the Caucasus at EBRD; Dominik Papenheim, ‎Programme Officer, Private Sector Development at EU Delegation to Georgia; and Mikheil Khidureli, Director at Produce in Georgia all of whom highlighted the importance of the initiative. According to the recently published Global Competitiveness Report 2017-2018 by the World Economic Forum, Georgian businesses named a small market and a lack of innovation as their biggest challenges. “Trade Ready” is focused on addressing the challenges faced by many Georgian companies when they try to integrate into international trade flows. Indeed, the initiative offers trade finance training and trade-related business advice for SMEs, networking opportunities with local banks and other institutions, as well as policy dialogue to facilitate improvements in the regulatory environment. While banks can expect to attract new clients with the introduction of new trade finance products, and businesses will benefit from better access to finance and the chance to expand into international markets.

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Enhancing the Vocational Education and Training System in Georgia

Oct, 2018

PMC Research recently launched a new project entitled “Updating Vocational Education and Training (VET) System in Georgia with Estonian Experience” aiming to develop VET programs to become more attractive in Georgia and to prepare students to meet the needs of the local labor market.The project is being implemented by PMC Research in partnership with the Tallinn School of Economics, with support from the Republic of Estonia.The project will develop a platform for strategic cooperation between Estonian and Georgian counterparts to diversify and improve the quality of VET programs in Georgia, which will contribute to one of the key directions of the Four Point Reform Plan of the Government of Georgia (GoG) and address the demands of Georgia’s VET Strategy 2013-2020.More specifically, PMC Research will conduct a needs assessment of new VET programs in Georgia to ensure that these replicate the desirable features offered by the Estonian VET providers by reviewing programs offered by the Tallinn School of Economics, by meeting with stakeholders in Georgia, and by identifying partner Georgian VET schools, and will design a pilot curriculum of selected Estonian VET programs.Ultimately, the project seeks to tackle unemployment and contribute to local economic growth.   Please kindly follow the link below for detailed information about the project: Updating Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Georgia with Estonian Experience

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Discussing Economic Reforms in Central Asia and their Likely Impact on Trade and Investment

Oct, 2018

On October 17-18, Mr. David Lezhava, Public Policy Sector Director at PMCG, participated in the Central Asia Trade Forum (CATF), which was organized with the support of USAID project “Competitive Trade and Jobs (CTJ) in Central Asia” and was co-hosted by the Ministry for Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan.The CATF is an annual event that aims to increase the competitiveness of priority industries and to enhance trade within Central Asia, between Central and South Asia as well as between Central Asia and other foreign markets. This year, the forum’s key topic was “New Horizons in Trade and Investment” with a primary focus on discussing how economic reform in Central Asia creates opportunity for greater trade and investment.Mr. Lezhava moderated a panel discussion entitled “Investment Climate in Central Asia,” which was dedicated to discussing recent economic reforms in Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries and their likely expanding impact on trade and investment. The speakers in this panel discussion were Ms. Tara Blake, Director of International Project Finance at the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), Mr. Otabek Muhammadiyev, Country Managing Partner at PwC, Mr. Eldor Mannopov, Uzbekistan Managing Partner at Dentons, and Mr. Scott Hershman, Partner at White & Case.The event brought together over 1000 delegates in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, including business executives, government leaders and industry experts from Asia, the United States, Europe and the Middle East.

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Empowering Youth to Obtain High-Quality Education

Oct, 2018

On October 11, PMCG awarded students with scholarships to continue their studies in Master’s programs at the International School of Economics at Tbilisi State University (ISET).PMCG has been supporting youth in this way for four years now, helping them to obtain high-quality education by providing needs-based scholarships. “We strongly believe that the progress of the country depends on well-educated young people and we are glad that we have an opportunity to make a small contribution,” explained David Lezhava, Public Policy Sector Director at PMCG, during the awarding ceremony. ISET was chosen as it is one of the leading economic schools in the region, meeting international academic standards. For the scholarships, three students who had demonstrated the strongest academic results and shown exceptional drive in their studies were chosen.At the awarding ceremony, Mr. David Lezhava shared some insights from his diverse work experience, which includes working at the National Bank of Georgia, the International Monetary Fund, the Ministry of Finance of Georgia and PMCG, and he also gave some practical advice to the students.

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Presenting Conceptual Design of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation System (PMES) for Municipalities

Oct, 2018

On September 28, PMC Research organized the conference “Performance Monitoring and Evaluation System for Local Self-Government Activities” in order to facilitate dialogue between key stakeholders and to reach an agreement on the specific performance monitoring and evaluation system to be introduced in Georgia’s municipalities.The event brought together representatives of the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia, Parliament, local self-governments, the EU delegation to Georgia, international and local NGOs, and experts. During the conference, PMC Research presented the conceptual design of the performance monitoring and evaluation system (PMES) for local self-government activities in Georgia. In particular, the representatives of local self-governance bodies and a wide range of stakeholders discussed the PMES’s objectives, key performance indicators upon which the PMES should be based, the PMES’s information platform and key IT objectives, the PMES’s management and administrative processes, and risks and limitations related to the operationalization of the PMES.The conference was organized by PMC Research in collaboration with the National Association of Local Authorities of Georgia (NALAG) and was held under the European Commission project – “Networking for Efficiency and Development (N4ED) – a News Modality for Effective Local Self-governance in Georgia.” 

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