Unlocking SME Finance and Making it Work in Central Asia

Jun, 2017

On June 27, PMCG’s Chairman and CEO Aleksi Aleksishvili and Project Manager Mikheil Skhiereli participated in a workshop entitled Unlocking SME Finance and Making it Work in Central Asia. The two-day event was opened by Ayumi Konishi, Director General, East Asia Department at Asian Development Bank (ADB), Nikoloz Gagua, Deputy Minister of Finance of Georgia (MoF), and Chul Ju Kim, Deputy Dean at Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI).The workshop was jointly organized by ADB, MoF, ADBI, the Academy of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia, and CAREC Institute. The ultimate aim of the event was to promote SME financing in developing Asian countries. Within the framework of the session, Skhiereli discussed the role and impact of public intervention in financing SMEs, focusing on credit guarantee schemes and SME development banks as two widely used policy tools to mitigate banks’ risks associated with SME lending. Aleksishvili moderated the session dedicated to the methods of promoting SME financing in Central Asia. Speakers from Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan shared their views regarding key challenges and constraints faced in each of their respective countries and discussed the lessons learned.“Such discussions are crucial for the further development of countries in transition. They serve as important facilitators of raising new initiatives for overcoming challenges, hindering poverty reduction and overall economic growth”, said Aleksishvili.

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Enhancing Role of CSOs in Georgia in Regional Economic Development Process

Jun, 2017

PMC Research, in cooperation with People in Need (PIN), the Rural Communities Development Agency (RCDA), and Association ATINATI, is working under the European Commission project - Regional Civil Society Organizations as Vectors of Rural Economic Development - to promote rural economic development and stimulate the agricultural sector in Georgia. The engagement of regional CSOs and local action groups (LAGs) in regional development is currently very limited while small farmers and enterprises in rural areas struggle to understand new regulations and potential benefits of the DCFTA. Having little influence over the policies which affect them, their needs and interests are not properly represented in policy dialogue. At the same time, they receive minimal support from region-based CSOs, which are themselves struggling due to insufficient funding and low capacity to engage with policymakers and to advocate for programs and policies which benefit the interests of the rural population.In order to improve the status quo, PMC Research will coach CSOs in the regions of Imereti, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Kakheti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, Adjara and Kvemo-Kartli about value chain research. The project team will develop a framework for product research, choose value chain analysis products and assist CSOs with data collection. Moreover, CSOs and LAGs will be supported to establish and manage information and resource desks and they will be encouraged to proactively supply the population with relevant information. At the same time, the team will strive to increase awareness about DCFTA by providing policy briefs about the effects of the agreement, and will arrange semi-annual regional workshops to discuss the topic. Finally, the project envisages supporting LAGs and CSOs, identifying and researching local products with the potential to enter European markets that will have a positive impact on local employment rates. Please kindly follow the link below for detailed information about the project:Regional Civil Society Organizations as Vectors of Rural Economic Development  

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Promoting Rural Development in Khulo Municipality

Jun, 2017

PMC Research, as part of a European Commission project, has started working together with Caritas Czech Republic and the Croatian Rural Development Network to promote rural development and diversification in the municipality of Khulo in Georgia. In order to ensure the effectiveness of this cooperation and to meet the Municipality’s challenges such as poverty and unemployment, the project team will bring together local government officials, farmers, CSOs, youth groups, business owners and other stakeholders to unite them under a local action group (LAG). PMC Research will work with the LAG and support them to understand specific development issues facing their community by arranging a set of interactive workshops. Based on the subsequent findings, PMC Research together with the LAG will elaborate a local development strategy and assist the group to conduct public presentation and gain feedback. The project team will also organize trainings on business management and marketing for entrepreneurs from the farming, tourism and handicrafts sectors. Moreover, the workshops for the LAG will be used to evaluate its performance and to prepare recommendations for future operations. Ultimately, the project aims to address local poverty and unemployment and to contribute to the development of tourism, local business, and agricultural production all of which can improve the overall economic situation. Please kindly follow the link below for detailed information about the project:Promotion of Rural Development and Diversification in Khulo Municipality  

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Kutaisi City Hall Joins Mayors for Economic Growth Initiative

Jun, 2017

On June 16, the Mayor of Kutaisi Shota Murghulia signed an agreement according to which Kutaisi becomes the first city in Georgia to join the European Union initiative “Mayors for Economic Growth” (M4EG). The agreement was signed at a meeting attended by team leader of the project Peter Korsby, regional coordinator and communication manager Julia Dzingailo, country expert (Georgia) Zviad Archuadze, as well as the Deputy Mayor Konstantin Kavtaradze, other representatives of Kutaisi city hall and vice governors.M4EG is a 4-year project funded by European Commission and is implemented by PMCG as part of a consortium led by Ecorys Nederland B.V. The initiative aims to support local authorities in Eastern Partnership countries to become active facilitators of economic growth and job creation.The project assists local authorities by designing and implementing local economic development plans and strengthening technical skills and capacities to implement economic strategies in line with the principles of good governance and sound financial management. To increase its sustainability, the initiative engages various stakeholders such as local authority associations, business associations, small and medium-sized enterprises and educational institutions. Through taking part, participating countries establish cross-country partnerships that will also contribute to making local authorities more sustainable. Please kindly follow the link below for detailed information about the project:Mayors for Economic Growth    

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Welcoming Our New Junior Researcher at PMC Research

Jun, 2017

We are pleased to welcome Andro Tvaliashvili to our team as our new Junior Researcher, replacing Irakli Barbakadze who has moved on to the National Bank of Georgia. Andro will be involved in putting together the periodic newsletter “Economic Outlook and Indicators” which analyzes various economic issues in Georgia and the projects implemented by PMC Research. Prior to joining our team, he worked as an Officer at the Revenue Service, Ministry of Finance of Georgia, processing and analyzing data. Andro has also accumulated valuable experience while working at the Office of International Education at Bucknell University (Lewisburg, Pennsylvania), where he managed special projects and worked on the development of an electronic database for educational programs. His predecessor, Irakli, leaves us after five years of excellent service. He contributed significantly to the organization in the field of research and was a highly popular team member. We would like to thank Irakli for all of his hard work and we wish him every success in his new position.

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Equipping Georgia to Become Transport and Logistics Hub

Jun, 2017

On June 6, PMCG hosted a meeting with the team of the World Bank (WB) project entitled “Preparation of Feasibility Study and Detailed Design for the Upgrading of Rustavi-Red Bridge and Rustavi-Sadakhlo Roads”. The project team presented the draft of a feasibility study report placing an emphasis on resettlement, and the socioeconomic and environmental aspects of the project. In addition, the results of traffic data analysis, a topographic survey and geotechnical investigation were all examined.These particular roads are of crucial importance, as they will become part of the East-West Highway project, which is a strategic project designed to transform Georgia into a transport and logistics hub for trade connecting Central Asia and, the Far East with Turkey, and Europe. The WB project is being implemented by PMCG, in consortium with Sakgzametsniereba and led by Antea Netherlands B.V. Please follow the link for detailed project information:Preparation of Feasibility Study and Detailed Design for the Upgrading of Rustavi-Red Bridge and Rustavi-Sadakhlo Roads

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Zaza Broladze Moves to PMCG’s Governing Board

Jun, 2017

After making the decision in February this year, Zaza Broladze will complete his move from Deputy CEO to the Governing Board of PMCG this month. As a Non-Executive Director, Zaza will have more opportunity to encourage and support PMCG’s strategic development and innovation, the exploration of new business ideas, facilitate sustainable growth, provide strategic directions and guide quality improvement. He will also be involved in the implementation of specific projects. He has been an integral part of PMCG from the very beginning and has played a crucial role in developing and expanding the company. He is a valuable team member, with about 20 years of impressive experience in top management positions and has sound experience of working with international organizations and government institutions alike. We are confident that Zaza will continue to contribute significantly to PMCG’s development and success in his new position.

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PMCG to Greet 10th Anniversary with Reinvigoration

Jun, 2017

This autumn, PMCG will be 10 years old. As we quickly expand geographically as well as in terms of expertise, we have decided that the time is right to rearrange PMCG’s organizational and management structure. We are committed to ensuring that we follow our mission – delivering progress for a better future and efficient policy-making. It is also imperative that the quality of our services remain as high as possible, and that our organization stays as efficient as possible.None of this can be achieved by standing still, so PMCG must undergo reinvigoration. We are working on a 5-year business plan for 2018-2022 together with our invaluable international partners, including EBRD, which will reflect the company’s vision and mission, aligned with our principles and values.Accordingly, changes will be made to the structure, team, and executive and governing board of PMCG. Some of our senior managers, including directors, will leave their current positions but continue to contribute to PMCG’s development as non-executive directors. We will also endeavor to attract new team members to PMCG at every level of the company’s structure, from entry level to top management.

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Strengthening Quality Management at Georgia’s National Intellectual Property Center

May, 2017

Intellectual property protection is a crucial part of a knowledge-based economy, and is at the core of the country’s economic, social, and cultural growth.With this in mind, USAID HICD 2020 Activity contracted PMCG to support Sakpatenti - Georgia’s National Intellectual Property Center - to enhance its primary function, namely protecting intellectual property. PMCG is cooperating with Sakpatenti to improve its core processes and to establish a quality management system. The project team is working on creating Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that will enable Sakpatenti to measure its overall performance in the long run. Based on in-depth analyses of the organizational needs, the team will elaborate documents for effective quality management including guidelines and job aids, and will work with Sakpatenti to enhance its internal human capacity for effective implementation of the quality management system. As a result of this collaboration, Sakpatenti will be able to track and manage the quality of its core processes. Please kindly follow the link below for detailed information about the project:Process Improvement and Quality Management at Sakpatenti, the National Intellectual Property Center    

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Traffic Forecast Study of Georgia’s East-West Highway

May, 2017

PMCG has recently launched a study to assess the traffic demand of the East-West Highway (EWH) of Georgia, together with Analysis and Consulting Team (ACT). The research is being conducted under the World Bank funded "Georgia East West Highway Corridor Development Project: Private Sector Participation and Long-Term Financial Sustainability Options". The study aims to analyze the traffic situation in Georgia, taking into consideration its economic sustainability for the private sector. PMCG and ACT are conducting origin and destination surveys, roadside interviews, and stated preference surveys, in order to obtain a fuller picture. At a total length of approximately 440 km, the EWH is the main channel for long-distance road traffic in Georgia and is used by all kinds of vehicles from Azerbaijan and Armenia to Georgia’s Black Sea ports and Turkey. The highway is also part of the Pan-European corridor linking the EU with Central Asia and part of the Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia (TRACECA) program. Therefore, it plays a crucial role in facilitating trade and sustainable economic development.Please kindly follow the link below for detailed information about the project:Traffic Forecast Study of Georgia’s East-West Highway    

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