The International School of Economics at Tbilisi State University has signed a contract with the Asian Development Bank to contribute to a study on: “Good Jobs for Inclusive Growth in Central and West Asia”. Since obtaining independence in the early 1990s, Central and West Asian countries have made noticeable progress. However, recent economic disruptions, mainly caused by the structural decline in energy prices and the protracted devaluation of currencies in the region, are affecting jobs, remittances, and people’s general well-being. The economic slowdown is also accelerating the underlying trend of increasing inequality, limiting countries’ ability to pursue inclusive growth. Other structural issues such as the lack of economic diversification, a sluggish private sector, and the mismatch between skills and labor demand further complicate the picture for policymakers.

To address the above-mentioned issues the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has commissioned a new study aimed at providing policy suggestions to promote inclusive growth by creating “good” jobs-jobs that are well-paid, productive, and safe. The study also aims at offering recommendations to improve ADB’s and other development partners’ assistance to developing countries in creating conditions to enable inclusive growth through their projects and operations.

The Study will begin in December 2015 and last to January 2017. ISET will contribute to this study by delivering high-quality academic papers, policy briefs, and blogs on inequality, employment, and labor market, and enabling conditions for inclusive growth in Georgia. ISET’s other main tasks are providing a note reflecting the human face of economic development in Georgia, providing assistance in the organization of a study-related workshop in Yerevan, and participation in study-related knowledge events.