Hosting Sri Lankan Delegation to Share Positive Experience of Introducing Economic Reforms

May, 2018

On April 23-25, PMCG hosted an official delegation from Vavuniya, Sri Lanka to share Georgia’s successful experience of implementing economic reforms in e-governance and public service. The study tour comprised presentations about steps toward, and ways of, introducing effective reforms, with a focus on creating a business-enabling environment. In order to observe tangible results and to obtain information regarding the impact of the reforms, the delegation visited the Public Service Hall in Tbilisi, where citizens can receive more than 300 services in one space, including business, property and civil registration. They also attended site visits to the Tbilisi Economic Zone of Registration to witness streamlined customs clearance procedures through its one-stop-shop service. In order to observe the functioning of a public and transparent tax system, and to watch competent consultations provided for tax-paying citizens, the delegation also visited the Revenue Service. The tour allowed the delegation to examine the effectiveness of simplified business procedures, to experience new opportunities, to observe, question and contribute to the pool of experience and to develop collective understanding based on this shared experience. The study tour was conducted as part of an International Finance Corporation (IFC) project.

+ more
Parliamentary Oversight in Georgia: Plans and Prospects

Apr, 2018

On April 13, a presentation of the project “EU Support to Parliamentary Oversight of the Security Sector” was held at the Parliament of Georgia.The Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia, H.E. Janos Herman, Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, Mr. Irakli Kobakhidze, and Chairperson of the Defence and Security Committee, Mr. Irakli Sesiashvili, welcomed the guests. Participants received information about the implemented actions, outcomes and future steps in the framework of the EU-funded project. The project was launched in October 2017 and PMCG, as part of a consortium led by B&S Europe, is working to improve parliamentary oversight of the security sector and to increase transparency, by ensuring proper monitoring of defence and security agencies, and improving relevant legislation.In order to ensure that the project achieves its goals, in cooperation with its consortium partners, PMCG will be working in the following directions: Analysis of existing legislation and practices in the field, to recommend specific measures for improvement, taking into account gender perspectives and sensitivities, and to create codified military legislation; Delivering trainings and arranging study visits to EU Member States for Members of Parliament and staff members of the relevant committees, to increase capabilities and to ensure the long-term stability and effectiveness of the committees’ activities in conducting legislative, oversight and policy work; Assisting the Committee and Group of Trust to monitor and control spending of relevant governmental agencies, by developing a program budget with relevant, well-defined indicators, objectives, timeframes and mid-term assessments; Delivering trainings to Members of Parliament and staff members of the relevant committees to upgrade their skills in relation to modern analytical methodologies, necessary to better scrutinize bills submitted by the Government of Georgia and to improve the efficiency of elaborating strategic documents and preparing appropriate recommendations and advice; Improving monitoring capacities in cases of human rights violations, with specific attention paid to gender sensitivities, by training staff of the relevant committees in this direction. Please kindly follow the link below for detailed information about the project:Improving Legislative Framework for Effective Civilian Oversight over Security Sector in Georgia

+ more
Contributing to the Development of Simplified Financial Accounting and Reporting Standards for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

Apr, 2018

Some of the prerequisites of strong and transparent micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are a favorable business environment, competence, skills, entrepreneurial culture and access to finance.Limited access to finance remains one of the main obstacles to growth in the MSME sector. Overcoming this challenge would allow MSMEs to develop and expand their production, improve infrastructure, comply with various international and national standards, attract potential investors, develop different skills and increase working capital.PMCG, in partnership with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), is assisting the Service for Accounting, Reporting and Auditing Supervision (SARAS) under the Ministry of Finance of Georgia to develop new, simplified financial accounting and reporting standards for MSMEs.The project was officially launched on March 29 and will be implemented in the following three main stages: Assessment of current regulatory framework, practice and gaps to meet international standards and requirements, and assessment of demand of financial intermediaries for MSMEs’ financial documentation Development of corporate financial accounting and reporting framework for MSMEs and development of self-learning materials for MSMEs Development and implementation of communication campaign to raise awareness about new corporate financial reporting framework As a result of the collaboration, new, simplified financial accounting and reporting standards will be developed for MSMEs that will ultimately improve the quality and transparency of corporate financial statements, enable easier compliance with obligations, reduce administrative burdens, and provide an opportunity to focus on business growth and access to finance.The assistance is being implemented under the UK Government Good Governance Fund (GGF) project “Corporate Financial Reporting for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises”. Please kindly follow the link below for detailed information about the project:Good Governance Fund

+ more
Sharing Experience of Transforming Economies with George Washington University Students

Mar, 2018

We had the pleasure of hosting a delegation from George Washington University (GWU) with whom we shared PMCG’s experience in transforming economies and changing institutions on March 14.Aleksi Aleksishvili, CEO and Chairman at PMCG, delivered a presentation to around 20 students headed by Dr. Tom Geurts, Associate Professor at GWU, about economies in transition and how a suitable reform agenda helps to overcome problems and challenges while introducing economic policy changes. While the main focus was on Georgia’s socio-economic and public administration reforms, the discussion also covered other countries from a variety of regions (Balkans, Eastern Europe, Caucasus, Central Asia, Middle East and Africa).Aleksishvili, together with the students, discussed crucial components of a successful reforming process, including: liberal fiscal and trade regimes; improved budget policy and public services; structural reforms; fighting corruption; privatization; legal framework; and property rights.With over decades of sound experience of supporting countries in transition to facilitate key public finance management reforms, Aleksishvili also emphasized the main barriers likely to be faced when introducing reforms. Special attention here was dedicated to the role of international development institutions, including USAID, in the process of reforming countries in transition, while he also highlighted more recent challenges and the steps that should be implemented to strengthen the achieved results and to sustain the development process.“Collaboration with universities and communication with students is very important for PMCG, especially when it comes to supporting students in the process of preparing for work in the field of international development. We at PMCG believe that the progress of countries in transition depends on having highly motivated young professionals dedicated to the delivery of progress and achieving a real impact,” explained Aleksishvili.  

+ more
EU-funded Projects Aiming to Show Everyone is Employable

Mar, 2018

On March 15, the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia, together with its partner institutions - the Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Labor,Health and Social Affairs - presented the results and achievements of four EU-funded grant scheme projects in the labor market/employment and vocational education and training sectors. The event was organized with the assistance of the EU-funded EVET Communication Unit, which is co-implemented by PMCG in consortium with Media Consulta International.“We are making efforts so that people’s skills better match the Georgian labor market”, declared Janos Herman, Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia, in his opening speech.Unemployment is one of the key challenges faced by Georgia. This problem is even more acute for people with disabilities, and this multi-layered nature of the issue has been reflected in the reform. The technical assistance project, funded by the EU, seeks to ensure equal opportunities for people with disabilities, reform of vocational education for agribusiness and remote regions in general, as well as comprehensive support for family businesses. These grants have allowed civil society organizations to participate in, and contribute to, non-formal aspects of the labor market/employment and vocational education and training sectors.“Within the framework of the project, I started working at a place, where I truly found myself. I’m truly happy and it is good that this kind of project exists. Some people are self-conscious and can’t start working. They should not think that they cannot and that they are different from others in any way”, Nino Khutsishvili, project beneficiary.Please kindly follow the link below for detailed information about the project:EVET Communication Unit

+ more
Facilitating business linkages between SMEs and MNCs in Georgia

Mar, 2018

The official launch of a new pilot project - Supporting the Growth of Georgia’s Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises under the Good Governance Fund (GGF) was held on March 14.The initiative aims to strengthen linkages between small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and multi-national corporations (MNCs) operating in Georgia. The event, which was opened by Giorgi Cherkezishvili, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, and Susan Stern, First Secretary Political and Head of Good Governance Fund (GGF) at the UK Embassy to Georgia gathered together representatives of the business sector, private sector support institutions and international organizations, as well as officials from the Government of Georgia (GoG). Topics including the potential benefits of SME-MNC linkages in Georgia, criteria for SMEs to consider and the roles of different players in this process were discussed during the event.As part of the consortium implementing the GGF led by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), PMCG is assisting the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia and Enterprise Georgia in analyzing the existing situation with regard to the linkages between MNCs and SMEs and is providing support in transferring and adapting international experience to strengthen business relations.The project team will also design and implement a pilot linkage program in Georgia and support the process of its evaluation. The project will enhance the level of collaboration between SMEs and MNCs, which, in the medium- and long-term, should have a positive impact on Georgia’s economic development.Please kindly follow the link below for detailed information about the project:Supporting the Growth of Georgia’s Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

+ more
Discussing Destination Marketing Management Priorities with Destination Management Organizations from Imereti and Kakheti

Mar, 2018

On March 1, we hosted some Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) from Imereti and Kakheti with whom we discussed destination marketing management priorities. The working meeting was held as part of the World Bank project - Tourism Marketing, Promotion, Online Coverage and Destination Management for Kakheti and Imereti Regions in Georgia, in which we are part of a consortium with Ecorys Poland and Best Place. In order to achieve its objectives, the project team is actively working with the relevant DMOs. During the meeting, a number of topics were raised, such as destination marketing management priorities and ways to strengthen private sector participation and engagement in the DMO development process.Topics associated with organizational structure were also discussed, as well as the role of the integration of the Tourism Center and DMO, finding more reliable sources of finance for destination marketing, and the essential activities to be carried out in cooperation with the private sector. Please kindly follow the link below for detailed information about the project:Tourism Marketing, Promotion, Online Coverage and Destination Management for Kakheti and Imereti Regions in Georgia

+ more
Working with Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia to Facilitate Decentralization and Good Governance

Mar, 2018

We recently launched a project under the USAID Good Governance Initiative (GGI), as part of a consortium led by Tetra Tech ARD to support the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia (MRDI) to facilitate the development of a mid-term strategy of decentralization and good governance at the local level.In order to meet the needs of the MRDI, the project targets three main issues: broadening the scope of delegated local self-government powers and responsibilities; providing adequate financing to local self-governments; and ensuring the highest standards of good governance from local self-governments (LSGs). More specifically, the project team will develop a concept document outlining a strategic review for service delivery functions and good governance standards of the LSGs. To ensure the effectiveness of the collaboration, the team will develop guidelines, covering issues such as: Delegation of new services to LSGs Quality monitoring and assurance mechanisms for effective delivery of existing and new services Assurance of efficiency, transparency and accountability at external and internal levels Additionally, a report covering the implications of the decentralization initiative from economic, social and gender perspectives will also be developed. By the end of collaboration, it is expected that the project will have had a positive impact on the achievement of the highest service delivery standards in the LSGs and on the elaboration of an adequate financial system, which is an essential part of ensuring good governance principles. Please kindly follow the link below for detailed information about the project:Assisting the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure (MRDI) to Improve Decentralization, Good Governance and Service Delivery at the Local Level

+ more
Research into Railway Infrastructure in Tbilisi Presented and Discussed

Feb, 2018

On February 22, we hosted a presentation and public discussion of research outcomes regarding railway infrastructure in Tbilisi.The research focused on four main aspects of railway infrastructure in the capital city: Status quo Railway bypass according to 2009 project Tunnel from Navtlugi to Didube Partial relocation of the railway There was a multidimensional analysis of possible developments in the following aspects: urban space being freed up for residential, recreational and commercial use, as well as for transport corridors, by removing railway infrastructure; safety risk assessment of potential impacts on the population in case of railway accidents or spillage of cargo; environmental impact assessment, including noise and vibration level and impact in case of cargo spillage; and various economic aspects such as costs, capacity, impact on passenger transfer and on railway-related enterprises, as well as implementation costs for each of the possible alternatives. “As a result of the comparative analysis, the –building of a tunnel and partial relocation of the railway have the best indicators in terms of urban, safety and environmental aspects. However, in order to select the best option, it is essential to conduct deeper analysis of the economic effects”, explained Giorgi Babunashvili, Affiliated Researcher at PMC Research. The study was conducted by PMC Research, as part of the project "Public Policy Discourse and Dialogue Platform", with the support of Policy and Management Consulting Group (PMCG). The project aims to create foundations for professional debates and to raise awareness of possible threats. It also aims to discover young researchers and increase their participation in policy dialogue. Please kindly follow the link below for detailed information about the project:Public Policy Discourse and Dialogue Platform

+ more
Assisting the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia to Introduce Performance Evaluation Systems

Feb, 2018

We are working with the the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia (MRDI) to develop a performance evaluation framework, as part of a consortium led by Tetra Tech ARD, within the USAID-funded Good Governance Initiative (GGI). The newly adopted Civil Service Law stipulates that performance appraisal is now compulsory for all agencies of the Government of Georgia (GoG) at all levels. This initiative is a significant part of its public administration reform. As part of this pilot project, PMCG is assisting MRDI, its subordinate agencies and GGI’s partner municipalities in Kutaisi, Batumi, and Akhaltsikhe to establish effective performance management systems. In order to raise awareness about the importance and necessity of improved human resources (HR) policy, PMCG is conducting trainings covering the performance appraisal system, communication, leadership and other subjects related to personal development. At the same time, the project team will also develop guidelines for effective introduction of the system. Please kindly follow the link below for detailed information about the project:Supporting Introduction of Performance Appraisal System in the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia, its Subordinated Agencies and Three Municipalities

+ more
Subscribe
NEWS
PUBLICATIONS