the widespread corruption in the sphere of education had to be addressed in order to be harmonized with European education standards.
VVThe fiscal state formation and transformation of the taxation system was a third major success in the fight against corruption. “Years of budgetary crisis and infrastructural decay – the result of post-Soviet economic collapse, and persistent state incapacity to collect tax revenues much in excess of seven percent of GDP”21 took its toll on the budgetary limitations on the government. The reforms simplified the types of tax, and lowered the burden22. From 2004-7, central government tax revenue more than tripled to 23% of GDP; it is worth noting that tax rates did not increase, this rise in tax revenue was purely the result of enforcing tax compliance23. By eliminating bribery in tax collection, revenue increased – simply through better management24.
VVWith regards to public procurement and competition, the system became totally transparent; however, the government arguably left itself certain loopholes because 30-40% of procurement deals occur outside of the public system25. The government has not yet completely eradicated bureaucratic advantage, so this is one area in which more work needs to be done for corruption to be totally eliminated. Laws on competition were revised and promoted a liberal free market approach – according to the rankings of conditions for doing business published by the World Bank, Georgia moved from 112th place to 37th in 2006, and to 12th place in 201026. This is an incredible leap forward for a country that was a failed state 23 years ago.
8820. (Cont.) http://www.eua.be/eua-work-and-policy-area/building-the-european-higher-education-area/bologna-basics.aspx
8821. Schueth 2012 p.133
8822. Papava 2013
8823. Schueth 2012
8824. Interview with Transparency International; Tbilisi, February 2014
8825. Ibid.
8826. Papava 2013, p.56
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