The FINANCIAL — IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, has partnered with the government of Georgia to improve the technical safety of hazardous enterprises in Georgia.
The initiative concerns the following enterprises: gas stations, mining enterprises, elevators, hoisting mechanisms. The reform agenda includes improvements on how current technical inspections of hazardous units are conducted, an introduction of new risk based inspections, and outsourcing of certain functions to third parties.
To address these issues, the IFC Georgia Business Enabling Environment Project held a two-day seminar on technical safety issues that will focus on the best international practices in technical safety supervision and inspection spheres. Leading experts from Sweden introduced the Swedish Technical Supervision system and experts from Estonia led discussions on reforms of Technical Supervision that have taken place in their country. The second day of the seminar focused on practical applications of inspection in Sweden and other countries.
“We are interested in sharing the experience of our foreign colleagues in the area of Technical Safety Supervision. In many Western countries inspections reform has led to the outsourcing of certain functions to third parties. Outsourcing as well as the introduction of risk based inspections is on the agenda of the Georgian government,” stated Vakhtang Lejava, First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and seminar participant.
The seminar was held on February 12, 2008 at the Vere Palace hotel. Participants also included representatives of the Construction Department of the Ministry, Georgian Technical Supervision State Inspection, Main Architectural-Construction Inspection, National Accreditation Centre and Environment Protection Inspection.
“We welcomed IFC’s offer to invite experts from other countries and are looking forward to the discussion, which is expected to be very useful for our staff,” said Alexander Bezhanishvili, Head of Georgian Technical Supervision State Inspection.
“We are very happy to work with the pro-reformist government of Georgia. IFC will continue its efforts in sharing the best international practices in the sphere of technical safety, introducing risk based inspections as well as outsourcing of certain functions to third parties. As a result, the quality of inspections of hazardous enterprises is expected to reach international standards,” said Irina Kokaia, IFC Project Manager.
The IFC Georgia Business Enabling Environment Project is funded by BP and its Oil & Gas Partners and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is fostering sustainable economic growth in developing countries by financing private sector investment, mobilizing private capital in local and international financial markets, and providing advisory and risk mitigation services to businesses and governments. IFC’s vision is that people should have the opportunity to escape poverty and improve their lives. In FY07, IFC committed USD 8.2 billion and mobilized an additional USD 3.9 billion through syndications and structured finance for 299 investments in 69 developing countries. IFC also provided advisory services in 97 countries. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.
Georgia became a shareholder and member of IFC in 1995. As of September 30, 2007, IFC has committed nearly USD 258 million in 23 projects in Georgia’s financial, power, oil and gas, and manufacturing sectors. In addition to investments, IFC conducts advisory programs in Georgia to promote corporate governance and improve the business-enabling environment with the support of BP and its Oil and Gas partners and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). The corporate governance project helps companies and banks improve their governance practices, which has helped bring millions in outside investment to Georgia. IFC’s business-enabling environment project helps government agencies streamline the regulatory framework for businesses. It also monitors the local business climate through a regular survey of entrepreneurs. This survey and the IFC/World Bank Doing Business report help the government pinpoint priority areas for reform.
BP first came to Georgia in 1996, where it has spent the last ten years building up a business which includes construction and operation of strategic oil and gas pipelines and fuelling operations through Air BP.
About CIDA
The Canadian International Development Agency is a governmental agency with a mandate to support sustainable progress in developing countries to reduce poverty and contribute to a more secure, equitable, and prosperous world. One of its objectives is to work with countries in transition to stimulate growth by building self-sustainability among local people and mobilizing available resources. CIDA supports foreign aid projects in many countries around the world.
