After the fall of the Soviet Union, the new Georgian government privatized most state-owned enterprises (SOEs).  At the end of 2013, the major remaining SOEs were Georgian Railways, Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation (GOGC), Georgian State Electrosystem (GSE), Electricity System Commercial Operator (ESCO), and Enguri Hydropower plant.  Of these companies, only Georgian Railways is a major market player.  The energy-related companies largely implement the government’s energy policies and help manage the electricity market.  There are also a number of Legal Entities of Public Law (LEPLs), independent bodies that carry out government functions, such as the Public Service Halls.

During 2012, Georgian Railways, Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation (GOGC), Georgian State Electrosystem, and Electricity System Commercial Operator LLC assets were placed under the Partnership Fund, a state-run fund to facilitate foreign investment into new projects.  In addition, the fund controls 25 percent of shares in TELASI Electricity Distribution Company, but has stated its intention to sell those shares.  The fund has not yet sold its shares, but still plans to do so: www.fund.ge.

Despite state ownership, SOEs act under the general terms of the Entrepreneurial Law.  Georgian Railway and GOGC have supervisory boards, while GSE and ESCO do not.  Major procedures and policies are described in the charters of respective SOEs.  Georgia particularly encourages its SOEs to adhere to the OECD’s Guidelines on Corporate Governance for SOEs.

The senior management of SOEs report to Supervisory Boards where they exist (GRW, GOGC); in other cases they report to the line ministries.  Governmental officials can be on the supervisory board of the SOEs and the Partnership Fund has five key governmental officials on its board.  SOEs explicitly are not obligated to consult with government officials before making business decisions, but informal consultations take place depending on the scale and importance of the issue.

To ensure the transparency and accountability of state business decisions and operations, regular outside audits are conducted and annual reports are published.  SOEs with more than 50 percent state ownership are obliged to follow the State Procurement Law and make procurements via public tenders.  The Partnership Fund, GRW and GOGC are subject to valuation by international rating agencies.  There is no legal requirement for SOEs to publish an annual report or to submit their books for independent audit, but this is still practiced.  In addition, GRW and GOGC are Eurobonds issuer companies and therefore are required to publish reports.
SOEs are subject to the same domestic accounting standards and rules and these standards are comparable to international financial reporting standards.  There are no SOEs that exercise delegated governmental powers.

Privatization Program

Georgia's government has privatized most large SOEs.  Successful privatization projects include major deals in energy generation and distribution, telecommunications, water utilities, port facilities, and real estate assets.  A list of entities available to be privatized can be found on the following website:  www.privatization.ge.  Foreign investors are welcome to participate in privatization programs.  Further information is also available at a website maintained by the American Chamber of Commerce in Georgia at:  www.amcham.ge.
 

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