26 Aug 2009 16:36

Georgia appoints new economic development minister

TBILISI. Aug 26 (Interfax) - Zurab Pololikashvili has been appointed Georgian economic development minister.

Pololikashvili previously served as Georgian ambassador to Spain.

Introducing Pololikashvili to the other ministers on Wednesday, Prime Minister Nika Gilauri said "the new minister's main goal should be to attract private investment and work with foreign investors. He has accumulated good experience in this."

Pololikashvili will replace Lasha Zhvania, who was sacked on August 21 for the ministry's unsatisfactory work.

Pololikashvili graduated from Tbilisi Technical University and has been a diplomat since 2006. Prior to this, he was a deputy foreign affairs minister.