The Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said the country would move towards a “qualitatively new level of development” within the next four years, an objective  he said would necessitate “everyday work”, adding the Government team was ready for it.

Kobakhidze said the Government’s election programme was “indeed very ambitious”, but emphasised “not a single promise is excessive; all are fulfilled”.

We aim to grow the economy from GEL 90 billion ($32.97bln) to GEL 130 billion ($47.62bln), with the national budget projected to exceed GEL 40 billion ($14.65bln), up from the current GEL 28 billion ($10.26bln). Creating 200,000 new jobs is a realistic promise, especially considering that we have already created 170,000 jobs in the last six months. Our promises are based on the work we have accomplished”, he said.

Over the past four years, we have increased Georgia’s economy by GEL 40 billion ($14.65bln). Therefore, our commitment to achieving another GEL 40 billion in economic growth is based on solid foundations”, he told the outlet.

The same goes for poverty reduction. Since 2012, we have managed to decrease the poverty rate from 30 percent to 11.8 percent. At that time, 1.12 million people in Georgia were living below the poverty line. This number has since decreased by 680,000, leaving about 440,000 individuals still affected by poverty”, the Prime Minister noted./;.'

We are confident that in the next four years, at least 300,000 additional people will be lifted out of poverty, bringing the poverty rate down to below 150,000. This is our forecast and goal for the future”, Kobakhidze added.

As part of its social agenda, Kobakhidze said the Government planned to increase pensions starting next year, with GEL 350 ($128.21) as the “minimum” line, particularly for those over 70 and residents of mountainous regions.