“This year, the government is committed to surpassing previous economic growth targets, with a clear focus on tangible results—most notably, the historic reduction of poverty in 2024. Our main mission is to overcome poverty, foster economic prosperity across the nation, and achieve national reunification,” declared First Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Levan Davitashvili during a briefing at the Government Administration.

Davitashvili emphasized that all government efforts are aligned with these overarching goals.

“Everything we do, whether it’s policy development or international collaboration, is directed toward fulfilling these two fundamental objectives,” he stated.

He also highlighted the importance of international validation.

“We believe that the International Monetary Fund will confirm our economic forecasts. We’ve had intensive engagements with their mission over the past week, and they have likely assessed both our current status and outlook. Confirmation from such reputable global institutions and partners is crucial for us,” Davitashvili underscored.

Davitashvili shared positive news regarding poverty reduction, one of the government’s flagship tasks.

“For the first time since independence, based on 2024 data, the country’s poverty rate has fallen into the single digits,” he announced. While acknowledging that the figure remains high, he expressed confidence in ambitious plans for 2028 aimed at significantly lowering unemployment and poverty levels.

He pointed out improvements in the Gini index, a key measure of wealth distribution, indicating increased economic inclusiveness.

“Although the index has decreased slightly, this trend reflects growing social equity and a more inclusive economic growth model,” Davitashvili explained.

The briefing also covered the government’s strategy for managing state enterprises.

“We approached this carefully, emphasizing the need for real-world testing before full implementation,” Davitashvili noted.

“The next step, as the Prime Minister highlighted, is to embed tested principles into comprehensive legislation. This will enhance efficiency, transparency, professionalism, and accountability in state enterprise management, making these entities more competitive,” Davitashvili added.

Regarding reforms in state enterprises, Davitashvili stressed their significance for the national economy.

“These are not just small LLCs; we’re talking about large corporations across various sectors that are vital for competitiveness and sustainability.” He affirmed that reform efforts would continue, aiming for cost savings that could be redirected to other priorities.

“Our long-term goal is a comprehensive overhaul of state enterprises, which we’ve begun in recent years,” he concluded.