On March 21, The Beacon Hill Institute hosted a discussion on competitiveness and its research agenda for a visiting delegation of 10 members of the Georgian Parliament.

Economics professor and BHI Senior Economist Jonathan Haughton presented his work on international competitiveness in Vietnam and Ghana to the parliamentarians. Explaining how nations promote economic growth, Haughton identified the keys to competitiveness that have been a hallmark of BHI’s research for the past three years.

Assisted by translators, the Georgians expressed an interest in developing a survey of firms that might identify bottlenecks in the Georgian economy. They suggested that Georgia could also benefit from the insight offered by a competitiveness study as it moves toward reforming its economy.

BHI also introduced the delegation to its work on tax and regulatory policy.

The visit was sponsored by the International Republican Institute (IRI) and was made possible by a grant from the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Institute for Representative Government. IRI is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing democracy worldwide. Its mission is to initiate and support a wide range of programs to promote and strengthen democratic ideals and institutions abroad. IRI has worked in Georgia since 1997, providing training to thousands of political party activists, elected officials at the national, regional, and local levels, and civic organizations throughout the country.

In addition to its meeting at BHI, the delegation met with elected state officials, committees, and other public policy research organizations in Massachusetts. The purpose of the visit was to enable the delegates to observe first-hand the intricate processes of reaching a consensus needed to pass legislation.

A former Soviet Republic, Georgia has emerged as a fledging democracy and was one stop of President George W. Bush’s recent visit to Eastern Europe as he commemorated the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.

In May, more than 100,000 cheering Georgians attended President George W. Bush’s speech — one of the largest audiences this president has ever addressed.

“Your courage is inspiring democratic reformers and sending a message that echoes across the world: Freedom will be the future of every nation and every people on Earth,” Bush said in speech from Tiblisi’s Freedom Square, a landmark once known as Lenin Square.

“You gathered here armed with nothing but roses and the power of your convictions and you claimed your liberty. And because you acted, Georgia is today both sovereign and free and a beacon of liberty for this region and the world.”

Georgia’s President, the U.S.-educated, 36-year-old Mikhail Saakashvili lauded President Bush for his support. “You stood with us during our revolution and you stand with us today,”

Saakashvili said. “On behalf of my nation I would like to say, ‘Thank you.’” Saakashvili is looking toward the West for assistance as he tries to bring reform to a country that gained a reputation for corruption.

Posted on 23-May-2005 13:49