High turnover of economic ministers

Georgian analysts believe that Georgian ministry of economy is the structure in which ministers are changed most often – since the rose revolution 7 years ago there have been 10 changes of minister. Among the ministers are the notorious Kakha Bendukidze, a millionaire who made his fortune in Russia, and the current minister is a Canadian businesswoman Vera Kobalia. Neither of these people has so far created a sustainable economy improving the welfare of the Georgian population. Each has brought their own team. The position of minister of economy of Georgia has mostly been assigned to non-professionals – two were head of the president’s administration, Ekaterine Sharashidze and Giorgi Arveladze; two were former diplomats Lasha Zhvania and Zurab Pololikashvili; for one week the minister of economy was Irakli Okruashvili, former defense minister; while Kakha Bendkudze is a biologist by education and a businessman, whereas Vera Kobalia was involved in her father’s bakery business in Canada.

The new minister Kobalia has also recently changed the staff in the ministry.

Analyst Mamuka Areshidze thinks the situation in the economy ministry is not favourable. The rate of staff turnover shows that the government has no long term plans. Areshidze is curious why there appears to be only two priorities for the Georgian economy - tourism and infrastructure. What about other branches?