Development of inter-regional and external economic relations (Example of Shida Kartli) (RESUME)

Tinatin Chukhrukidze

Development of inter-regional and external economic relations is an objective need (regularity) connected with integration processes. Integration with intensity of different grade makes still stronger influence on economy of regions as well as states, groups and world economy in general.

At first sight, integration processes should be characterised by directions that are opposite to regional processes representing factors that hamper process of regional complex production. In reality, it is not so. These are inter-related processes eventually stipulating formation of regional socio-economic complexes.
Proceeding from the specifics of economy, historical development, economic and geographic position and modern specifics of functioning, Shida Kartli plays an important role in the economy of Georgia and its international ties. In fact, Shida Kartli has had economic ties with almost all regions of Georgia and the former USSR. The overall guidelines of Shida Kartli’s external economic activities can be called as follows in the nearest prospect:
1) Increase of enterprises’ production export and improvement of its structure (overcoming of raw materials mono structure). This requires activation of advertising efforts by organising representations, international fairs, exhibitions and different seminars;
2) Development of regions’ export base in agriculture, wood-processing industries with industrial direction (in the initial stage these are light and food industries) as well as mobilisation of different finance sources of the branches.
3) Formation of regional infrastructure complex of external economic activities, further development of relevant programme and legal basis (institutions);
4) Transformation of the training system of international economic relations specialists.
As a result, strategic directions of Shida Kartli economic development in the oncoming transition period must be represented as follows:
1) Completion of formation of all-round balanced regional complex;
2) Detailing of specialisation branches stipulated by resource potential in the process of natural evolution from the viewpoint of duellist approach as well as maximal stimulation of the branches.
3) Development of main industries’ ancillary and service spheres;
4) Development of population’s service sphere (moderate socialisation of economy);
5) Complex use of natural resources and activation of environment protection measures (ecologisation of economy);
6) Formation of necessary regional infra-system;
7) Formation of regional market, accordingly, deepening of inter-regional and external economic co-operation, organisation of innovation centre of financial and production group within the frames of single production cycle as well as protection and stimulation of small enterprises, expansion of wholesale market in all four regions, development of import-export oriented enterprise.