PROSPECTS OF DEVELOPMENT OF GEORGIA`S TRANSIT FUNCTION AND ITS IMPACT ON THE COUNTRY`S ECONOMY

Abstract

Depending on geographical location, the development of Georgian economy was directly related to the efficient use of transit function. For Georgia, as a transit function, the importance of transportation infrastructure is important in the formation of its geo-economic positioning strategy. The acquisition, realization and development of Georgia›s transport potential began in the 90s of the 20th century. Nevertheless, complex research and analysis on the possibilities of development of transit function of the country in Georgian economic literature is not practically investigated yet. Morover, there are not identified determinants on the development of the sector, and their impact on the economic development of the country is not defined either. The study aims to analyze capabilities of Georgia›s transit potential and to determine its influence on economic development of the country in the process of integration of modern world economy. The following objectives are derived: • Identification of significant stimulant determination of development of transport / logistics field and its effectiveness; • Establishment of transit / logistics potential for economic development of the country. The objective of the research is the transport and logistics sector in the Member States of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Caucasus and Central Asian countries as an important instrument of economic development of the country. The research is subject to comparative analysis of the targeted and consequential indicators of transport and logistics sector in the member states of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, in the Caucasus and Central Asia. The theoretical foundation of the research is the works of various Georgian and foreign researchers about the study. The survey was based on the World Bank, the Organization for Economic Development and Cooperation, Eurostat, National Statistics Office of Georgia, Georgian and Foreign Professionals, Georgian and Foreign Marine Ports, Railway and Motor Operators, as well as the laws of Georgia. The work is based on analysis and synthesis, quantitative, qualitative, groupings, and medium-size, graphic expression, indexing, comparison, regression and correlation methods. The scientific innovation of the research is the attempt to conduct a complex examination of transit capabilities in Georgia, as a result of which: • Using the Panel Data Analysis Method is reasonable as the development of the transport / logistics sector is a very positive role in the socio-economic development of the country, the main determinant of which is the infrastructural investment. • Panel examinations and econometric calculations for member and partner countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) with transit function and sea exit confirmed that investments in the transport/logistics infrastructure of these countries are the most efficient. The paper can be used to overcome the challenges of successful transit systems in Georgia and its successful integration into the world economy. Consequently, the findings and recommendations of the research topic are appropriate for the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure, the Parliament of Georgia and other sectoral authorities, non-governmental organizations, scientific organizations and other stakeholders. In the process of teaching geo-economics, «international economy», «world economy» and their neighboring disciplines.