Georgia has made substantial progress in economic reforms over the past 25 years, and this progress is reflected in high rankings in the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business Index, as well as in the Heritage Foundation's Index of Economic Freedom. It is much easier to operate in Georgia than in most countries. This positive image was enhanced by success in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic, which is the result of long term investment in the people and infrastructure of Georgia by donor institutions and friends of Georgia, led by the United States.

The team of speakers from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development join the America-Georgia Business Council and our member company representatives to discuss an interesting question: how and when can openness and ease of doing business translate into meaningful economic growth and tangible increase in employment in the context of post-pandemic recovery? 

Speakers include: 

Catarina Bjorlin Hansen, Director, Regional Head of Caucasus  

Dimitar Bogov, Associate Director, Regional Lead Economist (tbc),  

David Managadze, Regional Head for Caucasus, Energy  

Elena Gordeeva , Associate Director, Senior Banker, Infrastructure, Eurasia. 

Nataly Mouravidze,  Associate Director, Senior Banker, Manufacturing and Services  

George Akhalkasti, Associate Director, Senior Banker, Tbilisi Office  

Moderated by Mamuka Tsereteli, President, America-Georgia Business Council

The EBRD is a leading institutional investor in Georgia. Since the start of its operations in the country, the Bank has invested over €3.8 billion in 252 projects in the financial, corporate, infrastructure and energy sectors, with 87 per cent of these investments in the private sector.