Presentation of the USAID project for supporting small and medium-scale businesses was held at the National Bank of Georgia.  The four-year project that will be implemented by the International Executive Service Corps under the auspices of USAID (The United States Agency for International Development) provides for rendering assistance to small and medium-scale entrepreneurs.   The representatives of the government, parliament, commercial banks, microfinance organizations, business associations and international donor organizations attended the presentation.   “We wish to render assistance to Georgia, strengthen the local business and promote introducing its products into the international market.  By doing so, we shall contribute to the development of the private sector in Georgia, thus enabling Georgia to reduce the poverty and strengthen its economy “–  stated  Robert Willson,  the Deputy Head of the USAID Caucasus mission  at the presentation.   In his welcome speech  the Deputy Head of the Parliament Jemal Inaishvili stressed the importance of the implementation of a small and medium-scale business support project.“  I hope that business representatives will be actively involved in this project for the set goals to be feasible and efficient.   George Glonti, the Vice-President of the National Bank of Georgia welcomed the guests invited to the presentation. According to him one of the most important factors of the country’s economic growth and stability is a developed small and medium – scale business sector. The new project is aimed at making the medium and long-term loans available. The small and medium- scale business support project intends to promote conducting  a dialogue between the private sector and the government in order to improve the business environment in the country and enable both parties to solve the problems holding back the current economic development with joint efforts.   Besides Tbilisi, the project scope will cover Telavi, Marneuli, Akhaltsikhe, Kutaisi, Batumi and Zugdidi.    The aim of the project is to increase the availability of funds for small and medium-scale businesses, develop independent business support organizations in Tbilisi and the regions, which will provide the required services to the sector; render assistance to business associations in self-certification and introduce the international standards in Georgian business as well as to improve the qualification of the youth and representatives of ethnic minorities  required for entrepreneurs.   The project partner organizations are the National Bank of Georgia, the Banking Association and the Academy of Banking and Finance of Georgia   The National Bank of Georgia will host the project organizers once more to hold a seminar on “Issuing the Loans to Small and Medium Businesses” on December 8-9, 2005. Mr. Bill Campbell and Mr.William Eiman, experienced bankers from the International Executive Service Corps will hold the seminar.   The International Executive Service Corps as a non-governmental organization was established in 1964 by David Rockfeller. The aim of which was to promote the economic growth all over the world. Since its establishment till now the International Executive Service Corps has implemented 24 000 technical and consultation projects in more than 120 countries.