ANALYSIS OF COMPETITIVE SECTORS IN THE REGIONS OF GEORGIA ANALYSIS OF COMPETITIVE SECTORS IN THE REGIONS OF GEORGIA Irina Kvakhadze Nana Tsertsvadze Tbilisi 2020 The project „GEclose2EU" is implemented by the "Economic Policy Research Center" (EPRC) in cooperation with Enterprise Georgia Agency. “This publication has been produced with the support of Sweden. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC) and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the Swedish government”. © Economic Policy Research Center ISBN 978-9941-8-2612-2 2 CONTENTS Aim of the study ............................................................................................................................................7 Methodology of the study .............................................................................................................................7 GURIA ........................................................................................................................................................11 General description of the region ...............................................................................................................12 Location .................................................................................................................................................12 Administrative arrangement of Guria .....................................................................................................12 Natural environment ..............................................................................................................................12 Resorts ..................................................................................................................................................12 Natural resources ..................................................................................................................................13 Macro indicators of the region ....................................................................................................................14 Demography ..........................................................................................................................................14 Social and economic conditions of the population ................................................................................16 Labor market – education and skills ......................................................................................................19 Business activity in Guria ......................................................................................................................20 Priority sectors ............................................................................................................................................22 Administrative and support service activities .........................................................................................23 Share .....................................................................................................................................................23 Manufacturing ........................................................................................................................................23 Professional, scientific and technical activities ......................................................................................24 Construction ..........................................................................................................................................24 Arts, entertainment and recreation ........................................................................................................24 IMERETI .....................................................................................................................................................28 General description ....................................................................................................................................29 Location .................................................................................................................................................29 Administrative arrangement ..................................................................................................................29 Natural environment ..............................................................................................................................29 Macro indicators of the region ....................................................................................................................30 Demography ..........................................................................................................................................30 Social and economic conditions of population ......................................................................................32 Labor market .........................................................................................................................................35 Business activity ....................................................................................................................................36 Priority sectors .......................................................................................................................................38 SHIDA KARTLI ...........................................................................................................................................41 General description of the region ...............................................................................................................42 Location .................................................................................................................................................42 Administrative arrangement ..................................................................................................................42 Macro indicators of the region ....................................................................................................................43 Demography ..........................................................................................................................................43 Distribution of population by urban and rural settlements .....................................................................44 3 Distribution of population by sex and age .............................................................................................44 Social and economic conditions of the population ................................................................................45 Conclusion on the social and economic conditions of the population ...................................................47 Labor market and skills .........................................................................................................................47 Priority sectors .......................................................................................................................................51 SAMTSKHE-JAVAKHETI ...........................................................................................................................54 General description of the region ...............................................................................................................55 Location .................................................................................................................................................55 Administrative arrangement ..................................................................................................................55 Natural environment ..............................................................................................................................55 Natural resources ..................................................................................................................................57 Macro indicators of the region ....................................................................................................................57 Priority sectors ............................................................................................................................................64 ADJARA .....................................................................................................................................................67 General description of the region ...............................................................................................................68 Location .................................................................................................................................................68 Administrative arrangement ..................................................................................................................68 Natural environment ..............................................................................................................................69 Tourism and resorts ..............................................................................................................................69 Natural resources ..................................................................................................................................70 Macro indicators of the region ....................................................................................................................71 Demography ..........................................................................................................................................71