Lekso Aleksishvili

Education

Aleksi Aleksishvili was born in Tbilisi, capital of Georgia, in 1974. He graduated from the faculty of Economics, Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University in 1996. In 2004 he graduated from Duke University, Durham NC, USA, Master of Arts, program in International Development Policy, major in Public Finances and Management. In June 2004, he was awarded with the Certificate for the Successful Completion of the E.S. Muskie Graduate Fellowship Program, The US Department of State, Washington, DC, USA.

Career

Over 14 years of working experience in public finance and economic development sector as a high-level official and government consultant responsible for budget and financial policy, tax and customs policy reform, simplification of doing business environment and improving investment climate. Mr. Aleksishvili was elected as a Chairman of UN Commission for Sustainable development in 2005-2006 (http://www.un.org/esa/dsd/csd/csd_csd14_bureau.shtml). During his chairmanship, the 14th session of the UN CSD focused on progress in the areas: Energy for Sustainable Development, Climate Change, Air Pollution, and Industrial Development.

Political career

While working as a Minister of Finance of Georgia, Mr. Aleksishvili successfully conducted series of reforms in Public Finance, Tax and Customs Policy and Administration, Economic Deregulation and Liberalization domains. Georgia was ranked by the World Bank “Doing Business” survey as the world’s #1 reformer country in 2005-10. During this period (2004–2007), Georgia improved from 132nd place to 18th in the ranking of “Ease of Doing Business” by the World Bank. As a Minister of Finance, conducted Tax and Customs reforms: reducing number of taxes from 22 to 7 and reducing tax burden from 45% to 27% (to GDP), while increasing tax compliance rate from 13% to 25% (to GDP). And in addition, introduced one of the simplest tax systems in the region. As a result of comprehensive policy reforms in Georgia, FDI has been increased from 250 m USD in 2004 to 2,100 m USD in 2007. GDP growth rate was more than 9% in each consecutive year.

Business and other

From December 2007 Mr. Aleksishvili is a Chairman of the Board, Policy and Management Consulting Group (PMCG) - of one of the leading regional consulting company. He manages strategic activities of the company in Georgia and other CIS countries. Involves in various national, regional and international projects related to fiscal policy reforms and economic development. For more info: www.pmcg.ge. From February 2008- December 2008 Mr. Aleksishvili was the board member of Kala Capital LLC, an investment holding, supervised the establishment of one of the biggest subsidiary company – Progress Bank JSC. In September 2007-March 2008, he supervised monetary and financial policy implementation as the board member of National Bank of Georgia. In June 2010 Mr. Aleksishvili was the panelist and presenter at Regional Meeting “Introduction to Identification and Management of Financial Risks for Energy Projects”, Vienna, Austria, organized by International Atomic Energy Agency, UN. He also was panelist and presenter at Eurasia Emerging Markets Forum, Thun, Switzerland.

Memberships

March 2008 – present- International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) – Georgia, Board Member. May 2000 – April 2001 - “Transparency International – Georgia”, Member of the Board. September 1997 – October 2000 - AIESEC Georgia,President of National Committee. August 1995 – June 1997 - International Organization "Fair Elections",Board Member. April 1991 – present - Association of Young Economists of Georgia. President – 1994-2001.

Publications

April 2004 - Research on Tax Policy and Public Finance Management in Georgia in 1995-2003. April 2000 - Report – “Licensing System and Business Regulations in Georgia”. Published by USAID and AMEX International Inc. June 1999 - Report - "Comments on Taxation Code and Policy". Bulletin of Georgian Centre of Strategic Research and Development. April 1999 - Report - "Education System and Problems in Georgia". Bulletin of Georgian Centre of Strategic Research and Development. August 1998 - Report on "Foreign Economic Policy of Georgia", Bulletin of Association of Young Economists. June 1998 - Article on “Economic Reforms and International Organisations in Georgia”. Newspaper: “Resonance”. August 1997 - Report on “Economic Situation in Ninotsminda Region, Georgia”, ISAR Publications. May 1996 - Thesis on “Monetary Policy in Georgia”, Tbilisi State University Press. September 1996 - Report on “Social-Economic Processes in South Osetia (Georgia)”, TACIS Publications.

Awards, Certificates, Honors

November, 2007- Certificate of Appreciation for Commitment to Making Georgia Open for Business. Business Climate Reform (BCR), US International Development Agency. June, 2004- Certificate for the Successful Completion of the E.S. Muskie Graduate Fellowship Program, The US Department of State, Washington, DC, USA. October, 2000 - Certificate on the award of the U.S. Embassy's Democracy Commission Grant for the project entitled “Development of the Local Self-Governments in Georgia”. September 2000- “Training for Trainers Working in Central and Eastern Europe”, European Youth Center/ Council of Europe. September 1996- Certificate of Achievement. Training Course in International Trade, The US Information Service Agency.