Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze says Georgia’s key objective should be sustained economic growth and convergence with European economies.
“Our goal is to catch up and even surpass European economies,” Kaladze said, emphasizing that the government’s current policy, led by the Georgian Dream party, is focused on maintaining peace, an essential foundation for economic progress.
Addressing the issue of migration, Kaladze noted that economic factors remain the primary motivator. “We must create such conditions in the country that people only leave for vacation, not in search of work,” he stated. “Everyone should be able to find decent jobs and experience economic well-being here at home.”
The mayor acknowledged that while Georgia’s economy has advanced in recent years, more progress is needed. “Am I satisfied? Of course not. I’m a maximalist, I want to see greater development and prosperity for every family,” Kaladze added.
Meanwhile, GD Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze offered a different view on the link between visa-free travel and migration, stating that the two are not directly connected. According to him, suggestions that visa liberalization affects economic growth are speculative and out of touch with reality.
