LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR TBILISI ... - LED

investments in such areas as telecommunications, transport, logistics, trade, hotels and
restaurants, offices, light industries and confection , media and entertainment.
Due to these investments the city economy will gain capital, new organisational standards
of production, management, staff skills as well as new jobs and the awareness of
international markets.
When creating long-lasting mechanisms of activities stimulating local economy it is a
matter of fundamental value to find a partner institution who will initiate and coordinate
development programmes.
The local government needs partners not only among ordinary people, institutions and
organisations in the City but should also find external partners such as banks, regional
authorities and business organisations who can offer help in developing local job market.
When implementing the economic development strategy for Tbilisi the following measures
will be of key importance:
• cooperation among the stakeholders,
• establishing a municipal structure that is capable of generating and implementing
local economic policy,
• identification of priority projects being the foundation of local economic
development,
• starting cooperation with other cities that are undergoing the process of similar
transformation by means of best practices,
• encouraging local economic growth, which is such form of activity that requires
specific skills and initiatives that are beyond the city hall’s traditional forms of
activity.
An important role in strategy implementation can be played by Economic Policy Agency.
It is worth consideration that in the course of strategy implementation the Tbilisi City Hall
department dealing with economic development could be transformed into an
independent city agency provided with resources necessary to carry out strategy tasks.
The Agency should:
• employ a team of experts capable of project implementation,
• develop a range of instruments to support companies and workforce,
• have at their disposal the funds enabling them to realize tasks by means of their
own earnings and subsidies for projects.
A non-governmental organisation that is competent to perform such tasks, has adequate
human technical and financial resources will secure sustained activity and will
immediately react to changing conditions.
When developing the Economic Development Strategy of Tbilisi City a workshop was
held where the participants learned how to establish an NGO (foundation, association)
and how to develop with local partners the local operation programme, methods and
forms of raising funds for operation and project implementation.
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