A Strategy for development of a Georgian ICT Cluster was discussed in a workshop hosted by Georgia’s Innovation and Technology Agency (GITA) of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia at the Teck Park with the support of an EU co-financed project “SME Development and DCFTA in Georgia” implemented by GIZ.

The Cluster has been established as part of the EU-GIZ project’s business clustering initiative and will be officially registered this week as a non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entity.

The workshop was led by a team of international experts - Dr. Marek Tiits, Institute of Baltic Studies, Doris Põld, Estonian ICT Cluster, Rene Tõnnisson, Baltic Innovation Agency and Kertu Ling, Baltic Innovation Agency. It discussed the ways to ensure that the cluster initiative keeps up the momentum, stays on the right track and follows the priorities agreed between the members. The international cluster experts gave their input on a range of strategic and operational issues bringing in their respective experience and expertise. Together with the Cluster members they reviewed the vision and mission of the cluster, its goals until 2025 and action plan.

The Georgian ICT Cluster aims at bringing together companies, professionals, educational and R&D institutions for improving the competitiveness of its members and addressing challenges of the industry. Currently consisting of 11 companies, the cluster aims to raise awareness of its priorities and attract additional members.

“The establishment of the ICT Cluster is important as far as it stimulates cooperation between the ICT industry players, supports industry development considering current challenges and boosts export of Georgian ICT services and products, that will have positive effect on economy and creation of innovative start-ups”, says David Kiziria, Cluster member and founder of “Innovative Systems Management”.

“It is very important to deploy good practice for the ICT Cluster development and intensively cooperate with the international professionals having such experience”, says George Mzhavanadze, founder of “Do So”.

GITA is a supporter of the ICT Cluster development initiative. It works closely with the Georgian ICT companies; hence, the Cluster members view the Agency as one of the leading governmental partners in the process of developing Georgian ICT Cluster.

"The establishment and development of clusters plays a role of catalyst in the process of development of entrepreneurship and innovation," said Avtandil Kasradze, acting chairman of GITA. He also emphasized the importance of the ICT cluster and noted that "ICT cluster is not a standalone cluster but it offers the opportunity to connect with and provide services to any other cluster.”  

An EU co-financed “SME Development and DCFTA in Georgia” project assists Georgian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to become more competitive and adapt to the new regulatory environment created under the free trade agreement with the EU (DCFTA). The project is part of the European Union's EU4Business Programme, which helps SMEs to benefit from DCFTA by improving business environment, increasing knowledge and skills of businesses, and by supporting SMEs to get better access to finance. More information: www.eu4business.eu.

Media inquiries:

Thea Kentchadze, Communication Expert, GIZ. 577292646, thea.kentchadze@giz.de