Parliamentary commission proposes inviting international firm to review pricing structure

A temporary parliamentary commission studying the pricing structure of food, medicines and fuel plans to appeal to the Speaker of Parliament to invite an international company to work alongside the commission.

The commission’s chair, Shota Berekashvili, on Wednesday said the aim would be for the company to examine existing challenges and issue recommendations.

At this stage, he said, the focus would be limited to the food and essential goods sector, which he described as a critical part of the economy accounting for about 20% of Georgia’s economic activity.

Berekashvili noted a tender will be announced to select the international company. Members of the commission backed the initiative.

“We will address the Speaker of Parliament with the proposal that, in parallel with our commission’s work, an international company with strong experience in the essential goods and food sector be invited. Such a company could study the structure of our sector, business processes, identify existing problems, compare Georgia’s market structure with similar countries and provide recommendations. This would be a very positive step, as we would have an externally prepared document - possibly offering a different perspective - that would substantially assist our commission in achieving results,” Berekashvili said.

The commission’s next session on consumer prices is scheduled for Friday, 13 February.