Azernews.Az

By Jamila Babayeva

The Georgian government plans to amend the country's tax code in order to facilitate business activities.

Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili made the remark following his meeting with businessmen on January 15.

"We are planning a number of changes that will simplify the business activities. Overall, it was a very useful meeting," the prime minister said.

Garibashvili stressed that the government should encourage the development of local production.

He talked about the steps of the government to create basis for stable economic development with businessmen.

Speaking about the positive trends in the economy under the new government, Garibashvili stressed that the negative trade balance improved by seven percent in January-November 2013 compared the same period of 2012 and amounted to $4.446 billion (46 percent), the number of trading partners increased to 133 countries.

"At the initiative of Bidzina Ivanishvili [Georgian former PM] and with the support of Georgian and foreign businessmen a co-investment fund was created, which has already begun active work", the prime minister said.

He said in 2013 Georgia successfully concluded negotiations with the European Union on a deep and comprehensive free trade agreement.

"It creates an unprecedented potential for trade and economic cooperation between Georgia and the EU and opens a 500-million European market for Georgia, which is extremely important for development of Georgian economy," Garibashvili noted.

Garibashvili appreciated positively the meeting, which was attended by 80 businessmen.