On 21 March, the EU presented its External Investment Plan (EIP) at a regional launch event in the Georgian capital Tbilisi. Under this plan, the EU will mobilise investments from the public and private sector from 2017 to 2020 for more than 70 economies around the world, including Georgia and the other Eastern Partner countries.
The EIP will aim to boost investment and support more inclusive and sustainable development in the European Neighbourhood countries.
The event in Tbilisi is part of a series of outreach events for private and public sectors across the region. These events have brought together national authorities, business communities, private sector businesses, partner international financial institutions and other stakeholders to discuss investment opportunities in various sectors and to provide an opportunity to network with key private and public sector stakeholders.
Katarina Mathernova, Deputy Director-General for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations highlighted that the EIP is another sign of the strong commitment from the EU to encourage and help boost economic growth through private and public investment in Georgia, as well as other Eastern Partner countries.
“Our partnership approach is geared at promoting entrepreneurship, trade and new investment opportunities. This is in view to address obstacles to growth, to promote inclusive growth and job creation, and to deepen economic integration,” she said.
The European Union also supports entrepreneurship and trade across the Eastern Partnership region through its EU4Business initiative, which seeks to break down the barriers to SME growth with finance, support and training to help small businesses realise their full potential. EU4Business support is delivered together with other organisations such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Investment Bank.
