P146890 - Georgia Competitiveness and Growth DPO3

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The Third Competitiveness and Growth Development Policy Operation Project in Georgia will help the government in its efforts to strengthen competitiveness and improve social and fiscal outcomes with the ultimate objective of eliminating extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity. These objectives will be achieved through reforms in the areas of trade and trade facilitation, the power sector, education, public financial management, and effectiveness of social spending. The policy actions were agreed to with the previous government in Georgia and are fully supported by the new government. The actions are anchored in the country partnership strategies (CPS) for 2010-13 and 2014-17 and are consistent with the government's new development strategy. The operation supports the government in helping create jobs via advancing further structural reforms and protecting those who do not gain from these reforms. Reform efforts supported by this operation have been grouped in three pillars. First pillar one supports legislation to increase market access to the European Union (EU) and improve customs efficiency, power sector reliability, and the quality of general education. Second pillar supports improvements in the coverage and transparency of the budget. Third pillar supports improvements in the accessibility and quality of healthcare services and efficiency of targeted social programs.