The ICT Association of Georgia held its quarterly meeting on October 7, 2024 at D Block in Stamba. This was a momentous occasion for Georgia’s tech sector. The event brought together industry leaders, stakeholders, and policymakers to create a lively forum for discussing the latest technological trends, challenges, opportunities, and more. Participants engaged in meaningful discussions to position Georgia as an international leader in ICT. They shared a commitment to innovation and cooperation.
Setting the stage for collaboration
Tornike Sulaberidze, Chairman of ICTA, opened the meeting with a few remarks. “Today we will explore key issues regarding the future of Georgian technology, including the role that US tech companies play in the local market,” he said, setting the tone for the discussions of the day. Ani Dabrundashvili of D Block echoed his emphasis on the importance of cooperation. She stressed the importance of creating a climate that fosters collaboration and innovation among tech professionals.
Deep Dive on US-Georgia Relationship
The main focus of the day was the bilateral relations between Georgia and the United States. Giorgi Tsikolia from Lineate and Marc Nordberg, the US Embassy‘s representative in Georgia, led the discussion. Mr. Tsikolia highlighted the historical context of the bilateral relations, and the role that American capital has played in the Georgian economic system. This has led to the creation of thousands of well-paid positions and promoted innovation and knowledge sharing. He said that American technology companies had created 8,000-9,000 jobs in the last three years and contributed 2-2.5 billion USD to the Georgian Economy. Mr. Tsikolia emphasized the interconnectedness between the tech sector’s successes and the United States which serves as the main export market for the services provided by international firms in Georgia. These jobs pay three times more than the average salary in Georgia and have helped establish Georgia on a global technology map.
Advance AI and Innovation
Natia Sirbiladze moderated the conversation on artificial intelligence. She is a Board Member of ICTA. Zaal Gachechiladze is the CEO and co-founder of AI Lab. He shared valuable insights on AI’s potential to transform Georgia’s economy.
Women in Technology: Promoting Gender Diversity
Maria Voskanyan’s presentation, as Chapter Director of Women in Tech (r) Georgia, was another highlight. She spoke about initiatives to promote gender equality in the tech industry. Diverse perspectives are essential to the tech industry’s success. Voskanyan stressed that we must empower women to assume leadership roles.
The meeting culminated with the signing of two important Memoranda of Understandings (MoUs). The first MoU was signed between Women in Tech and the ICTA, which was a commitment to fostering a supportive environment for women in technology. “This memorandum represents a vital step in ensuring women have equal opportunity in our industry,” Sulaberidze said, reflecting on the importance diversity has for innovation. The second MoU with D Block was signed to enhance collaboration and innovate between the two organizations. This further solidified their partnership in promoting technology development in Georgia.
Looking to the future
Participants left the meeting feeling re-energized, motivated and re-motivated. “Around 20 member companies have joined, employing as many as 15,000 people in Georgia. This collaboration is crucial for the growth of the industry,” Sulaberidze said, highlighting the strength of the tech community.
Tsikolia outlined a vision of the future, saying: “The long-term interest of the technology sector in Georgia is growing.” We believe that Georgia can be a regional hub and operations base for American companies with the right policies.
The ICTA’s mission is clear: to position IT as a cornerstone in the new Georgian Knowledge Economy. Their goals include:
– Raising the profile of Georgian ICT Industry
Enhancing business cooperation
– Working with the public sector on improving the legal and regulatory frameworks
The ICTA is committed to driving growth in the ICT sector as Georgia navigates the changing tech landscape through strategic partnerships, investments, and a focus of professional development. The quarterly meeting sparked new ideas and initiatives and reinforced the association’s commitment towards creating an innovative and collaborative atmosphere for all stakeholders.
Georgia’s technology industry’s future looks bright with a strong leadership and a community engaged, promising continued growth as well as international recognition. The discussions that took place during this meeting and the agreements signed will certainly contribute to the future trajectory of Georgia’s ICT sector.
By Kesaria Katcharava
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