COVID-19 Active Response and Expenditure Support Program

Targeted and medium- to long-term assistance in key sectors is particularly critical for Georgia to sustainably recover from COVID-19 impacts. There is opportunity in crisis that, if taken advantage of expeditiously, can lead to significant beneficial measures. In the case of Georgia, the depth of the crisis that led ADB and other development partners (DPs) to offer a large rescue package illustrates what can be achieved under crisis situations. This was a textbook example of cooperation between several DPs in providing financing and agreeing on the support measures to be included and prioritized. ADB’s COVID-19 pandemic response option (CPRO) was the appropriate instrument for aiding Georgia in this context. However, additional assistance from ADB as well as other DPs is critical to the country’s sustainable recovery from the economic and social consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Targeted and medium to long-term solutions are particularly important to enable the development of a conducive business environment and investment climate, a resilient and sustainable social protection system, a sustainable agriculture sector that ensures food security, and sound public financial management and fiscal governance.