Kakha Bendukidze

Kakha Bendukidze, born on April twentieth, nineteen fifty-six, was a prominent Georgian statesman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. With a background in biology, he founded Bioprocess in nineteen eighty-seven, a company dedicated to manufacturing biochemicals for scientific research. His entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to libertarian principles soon made him a notable figure in Russia, where he advocated for significant tax reforms, including the introduction of a flat thirteen percent tax rate.

After selling his business interests in Russia, Bendukidze returned to Georgia following the Rose Revolution. In two thousand four, he was appointed Minister of Economy by President Mikheil Saakashvili and Prime Minister Zurab Jvania. His tenure was marked by ambitious liberal reforms that transformed Georgia's post-Soviet economy, leading to an impressive annual economic growth rate of nine point three percent from two thousand four to two thousand seven and a substantial increase in foreign investments.

As Minister for Reform Coordination and Head of the Chancellery of Government, Bendukidze implemented policies that drastically reduced taxes, cut the number of licenses by ninety percent, and liberalized the labor market. His efforts earned him the title of the Man Who Remade Georgia, as he played a crucial role in reshaping the nation's economic landscape.

In addition to his political achievements, Bendukidze was a dedicated philanthropist. He established the Knowledge Foundation and was instrumental in founding the Free University of Tbilisi and the Agricultural University of Georgia. His commitment to education and reform extended beyond Georgia, as he actively supported the new Ukrainian government during its conflict with Russia in two thousand fourteen.