Social and Economic Policy

8 December 2016

Georgia-Russia Economic Relations in 2008-2016

The Georgian diaspora living in the Russian Federation is the largest source of remittances for Georgia. Since 2014, this volume of remittances from Russia has decreased significantly, while imports have increased. This has a negative effect on the Georgian economy, including the stability of the national currency.

7 December 2016

Georgia in the 2017 Doing Business Index

According to the Doing Business 2017 report, Georgia is ranked 16th among 190 nations. In the previous year’s report (2016), Georgia held the 24th position among 189 countries. Georgia has improved its positions in many categories, particularly in terms of institutional structure and regulatory environment. However, major weaknesses remain, such as lack of support for research and education by the government and the private sector, and limited use of innovation in business.

29 November 2016

2013 Bonuses and Salary Supplements in the Ministry of Internal Affairs

Public officials in the MIA central office had received bonuses of GEL 2,325,789 in January-October 2013. The Minister of Internal Affairs had received a bonus of GEL 4,335 only once in February. However, most other public officials received monthly bonuses that were much higher than their monthly salary on a monthly basis.

25 November 2016

Negotiations between Georgia and Russian Federation about the World Trade Organization (WTO): 5 Years After

The World Trade Organization (WTO) consists of 164 member states and is established to harmonize and facilitate trade relations, act as a dispute settlement body. Georgia is member of the WTO since July 14, 2000 . It took 18 years for Russia to become member of the WTO .

22 November 2016

Management, Transparency and Accountability of State-owned Companies

The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) and Georgian Young Lawyers' Association (GYLA) have jointly prepared a policy paper titled Management, Transparency and Accountability of State-owned Companies within the framework of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum - Georgian National Platform. The policy paper was presented to the Government of Georgia on November 22 during a conference organized by the National Platform.

15 September 2016

Bureaucracy in Tbilisi City Assembly

The Tbilisi City Council budget has doubled over the past years and amounted: in 2011 - GEL 6,072,200; in 2012 - GEL 6,131,800; 2013 - GEL 10,029,700; 2014 - GEL 13,351,400; 2015 - GEL 13,633,300; 2016 Budget Plan - GEL 14,052,000.

28 July 2016

Export Problems in Georgia and Factors Facilitating Export

During the past two years, Georgia's external trade turnover decreased significantly. It is especially true in case of exports. The article discusses export indicators, as well as the dynamics and structural changes during last couple of years.

25 July 2016

Administrative Expenses of the Chief Prosecutor’s Office (2011-2015)

Since 2012 expenses of Georgia's General Prosecutor's Office has significantly raised in accordance with the number of people employees at the structure.

4 July 2016

Challenges of the Universal Healthcare Program and Ways to Overcome Them

This policy brief prepared by IDFI aims to study the challenges faced by the universal healthcare program, and develop recommendations on how to overcome them and how to ensure the program is implemented in an efficient and uninterrupted manner.

30 May 2016

Overpriced Tickets for Teach and Learn with Georgia

IDFI has recently conducted an investigation into the National Center for Teacher Professional Development’s procurement of flights for volunteers participating in its Teach and Learn with Georgia program. Our findings indicate that that there were several irregularities in nine electronic tenders dating back to 2013 and totaling GEL 571,714. As a result, the government may have been significantly overcharged for these flight tickets.