Search

The Maritime Transport Agency was established in April 2011 as an independent authority within MOESD. MTA is the technical regulator of the maritime field. The main functions of the MTA include: seafarers education and certification, flag state performance, port state control, maritime search and rescue, maritime safety, security and environmental protection. MTA was created with a specific mandate to establish a sustainable system of capacity building by employing experienced seafarers and consultants, and intensify cooperation with the maritime authorities of other countries. (...)

The Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) envisages progressive reciprocal liberalization of establishment and trade in services in various fields, including in transport. (...) The DCFTA envisages the obligation for Georgia to implement 23 maritime-related directives and regulations, maritime safety, security and environmental protection.

Occupying about 40% of the territory of Georgia, forests constitute the most valuable natural resource of the country. The forestry sector provides timber for industrial and household use, non-timber resources including medicinal plants, and adds to the potential value of tourism.

Natural beauty, varied topography, a pleasant climate and rich culture is said to help Georgia to attract millions of tourists and visitors. The authorities emphasize that Georgia is renowned for the Caucasus Mountains, the Black Sea coastline, curative climate, healing mineral waters, national parks and UNESCO Heritage Sites. Georgia has significant resources for further development, with more than 103 resorts and 182 resort areas, 10 national parks (e.g. the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, the biggest in Europe), 2,400 mineral water springs and 12,000 historic and cultural monuments, meaning the country can offer a variety of experiences for all types of visitors.

Regarding administration, the Georgian National Tourism Administration (GNTA) is the legal entity of public law under the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development responsible for devising and implementing tourism development policy, promoting sustainable tourism, attracting foreign visitors and supporting domestic tourism by positioning the country as a unique travel destination. (...)

Following the 11 May, 2015 General Elections, a new Coalition government comprising the former parliamentary opposition was elected to Office with a one-seat parliamentary majority in the National Assembly. In keeping with the new government's vision and economic development programme, several public sector reforms, such as the following, have been initiated or announced as key and critical priorities, in the immediate to medium term, to raise the country's economic profile and advance its integration in the regional and global economy:
(...)
(ix) Improvement to trade and environment relations through promotion of a "green economy", sustainable harvesting of Guyana's forest products and rigorous enforcement of environmental legislation, including reform of the environmental tax.

At the multilateral level, Guyana remains fully committed to achieving a successful conclusion of the negotiations under the WTO Doha Development Agenda (DDA). Guyana also supports the commitments achieved under the Bali Package as a realistic approach to securing the development-oriented and balanced outcomes being advocated for small vulnerable economies (SVEs). The multilateral negotiation is, indeed, important to the sustainable development of a small developing economy such as Guyana with a high degree of trade openness.

In addressing the 'Economic Infrastructure' requirements for the country's trade expansion and integration into the world economy, the government has identified the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) as a top priority. Greater use of ICT will help firms reduce their costs, enhance their productivity and increase overall efficiency, and thus make a greater contribution to economic growth. Some key elements of the government's ICT policy are:
(...)
- Encourage and support the use of ICT to predict, monitor and respond to disasters and in environmental management.

The Investment Act states that all fields of lawful economic activity are open to all investors except in inter alia the mining sector, where foreign investment in small and medium-sized operations is restricted (section 4.2). Permits for such operations are given only to domestic persons. According to the authorities, the restriction is applied on the ground of operation safety concerns as well as of environmental protection. (...)

During the review period, there were no changes to internal taxes on imports collected at the border; the value-added tax (VAT), excise tax, environmental tax, and stamp duties are applied to certain imports. In 2013, the total of tariff duties and internal taxes collected at the border amounted to 45.2% of Guyana's total tax revenue (Table 3.6).