Study Tour for Iraq Delegation

Project Client

IFC;

Country

Iraq;

Origin Of Funding

The World Bank;

Start Date

01.02.2016

End Date

16.02.2016

Region

Africa and Middle East;

PMCG hosted an official delegation from Iraq, which was taken on a study tour organized by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) aiming to share Georgia’s experience of successful economic reforms in tax administration, E-governance, and public services.

The delegation was headed by Dr. Nufal Al Hassan, the Iraqi Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff, and comprised economic advisors of the Iraqi Prime Minister including Robert Bue Jouda, the World Bank Group (WBG) Iraq Country Manager, and Lemya Ayoub, a WBG Private Sector Development Analyst.  

The delegation met with Aleksi Aleksishvili, PMCG’s CEO and Chairman, who as a former Minister of Finance was one of the initiators and executors of a series of groundbreaking reforms in Georgia, resulting in economic deregulation and liberalization, and increased FDI and GDP growth rate.

The delegation also met with Dimitri Kumsishvili, the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, and the Georgian Prime Minister’s Office to learn of the recent challenges facing the country.

To observe tangible results of Georgia’s reforms first-hand, guests 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 of the Car Registration Service Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Tbilisi Economic Zone of Registration to witness streamlined customs clearance procedures involving a one-stop-shop service.

The delegation also visited the Georgian National Investment Agency to gain an understanding of its role as moderator between foreign investors and the Government of Georgia, ensuring that investors can access necessary and up-to-date information.

The Iraqi guests were also introduced to the recently opened Georgia’s Innovation and Technology Agency Techpark that offers its members a “fab lab,” training/conference hall, and a business incubator for innovative ideas.