SOCIAL-ECONOMIC POLICY OF RUSTAVI

EKA LOMIDZE

To some economists’ mind, Rustavi has no chance of development. Yet, there are other considerations, too. It is important which way the city will develop in. Presently, plan of Rustavi social-economic development in 2003-2006 is being made. The plan includes three main directions: trade, agriculture and growth of small business.

As far as we see, the days of industrial city have already vanished. Despite the attempts to put the former giant – Rustavi metallurgical industrial complex – into effect, the number of employed population in the industrial complex makes up, supposedly, three or four thousand people. This depends on the work of the present management of the metallurgical industrial complex. Thus, ideas about the functioning of the industrial complex with the previous load seem to be far from reality. The temporarily unemployed population will never be able to work in enterprises that functioned in the past (we mean most of them). Therefore, other plans of Rustavi mayor have been put on the agenda. Major part of population moves from Rustavi to regions and villages as well as to Tbilisi in search of employment. The first part of the above-mentioned social-economic development plan envisages for the processing and watering of lands in the adjoining lands of Rustavi with a view of employing population.
There is a pilot project of the idea that has been implemented jointly with the English and French. 240 families were employed on the lands. Rustavi mayor says the result was positive. Apart from the employment of 240 families, local production that was competitive by its quality and cost came into market. Another priority of the direction is the gradual development of population infrastructure implying provision of population with place of residence after the expiry of exploitation date of multistory apartment buildings. The second direction of Rustavi social-economic development plan is improvement of trade system. A trade zone or trade system of supermarket style appeared between Tbilisi and Rustavi. Not only population of Rustavi but also that of Tbilisi is employed in them. Formation of such systems will also avoid excess trade networks in the capital city. The third direction is establishment of small enterprises.
Merab Tkeshelashvili, mayor of Rustavi:
– Implementation of any projects or ideas requires support of both local and central government. I think it is high time approach and attitude towards Rustavi was changed. Georgia does not consist only of Tbilisi. Political and social developments do not take place only in Tbilisi. Rustavi is Satellite City of Tbilisi so everyone should take part in turning it into a strong organism. With this very purpose we started to work on social-economic development plan. I do not, of course, assert that 100% of the plan will be implemented, but if at least, 40% is implemented, this will be a great step forward.
Our faraway “investment” is physical and moral training of future generations. Such measures as construction of volleyball and football squares or adornment of Rustavi parks are meant for future generations as these meeting places and relationships form “Rustavers” who should rule the city and state in the future. State should take care of its citizens. We granted health insurance cards to Rustavi teachers through the co-operation with insurance company “Hellios”. Teachers should bring up future generations that will later become our citizens. Therefore, state should pay maximum attention to teachers. “Golden” health insurance cards of company “Hellios” were given to honourable citizens of Rustavi.
– Incidentally, some asked about our method of selecting honourable citizens.
– I think, we should respect and appreciate people who took part in the construction of Rustavi. We should show future generations that people’s good deeds are not lost without a trace. We should teach the young to respect and appreciate older generations.
– One can often hear that relationships of central and regional administration should become more perfect. This subject is considered to be the best way for judging political debates and establishing “image”. What do you think about this?
– There are countries without any natural resources, but still they are leading ones thanks to perfect management system. Unfortunately, we can not boast of having perfect rule and self-rule forms that are directly connected with economic development of the country. We should, first of all, mention that property is controlled by the state. However, some objects are strategically important for cities as, f.e. schools, “Rustavtskali”, “Relasi” that should be subject to the city control. For instance, schools are financed by the city, but educational policy is performed by the Ministry of Education or budget. Central and municipal budgets are not singled out. Nowadays, central budget is “filled” at the expense of regional budgets while the latter does not cause any problems to the “centre”. The main thing is sums in the central budget. The tax system is not perfect, too. The situation would be different if the region controlled taxes independently. For example, the case of property management ministry. 350% of sums derived from rent are left to the city whereas the rest goes to the central budget. This is a great loss that becomes later problematic for our city, not to mention consequences of energy crisis. We have worked in this direction for a long time already. Meters should be finally installed everywhere in the city and hydroelectric stations should be built. I have sent this project to the USA and Israel. Some people work on the project in Georgia, too. Unfortunately, plan of one-year work with Germans failed. We should seek alternative ways. I often joke that we should take photos this year. We have endured difficult winter. The worst winter cannot even be imagined in the social background of Rustavi. lf cities of Georgia have some sources of subsistence: Kutaisi receives products from its regions; Gori, Poti and Batumi have their own sources of subsistence while Rustavi, as people say, lives on “asphalt”. Therefore, attitude towards Rustavi should change because the situation is unendurable. Officials should live their cabinets and see the real situation. Otherwise, this approach would not help other cities, too. Such control system will bring nothing good to Tbilisi, either.