Georgian president Mikhail Saakashvili has pledged that he will become godfather to the children of any businessmen who manage to create at least 100 jobs.

The current unemployment level is 13 per cent, the highest rate among Caucasian countries. According to a recent report by the World Bank, it will rise by 100,000 to reach 350,000 people, accounting for one fifth of Georgia’s overall workforce.

Mikhail Saakashvili admits that pensioners, teachers, medics and policemen have low incomes and says tackling poverty is his main priority. Interestingly, at the beginning of this year Georgians were deprived of free medical treatment and other social benefits. The World Bank estimates the poverty rate will increase from the current 23.6 per cent to 25.9 per cent in 2010.

It looks like the initiative has been inspired by the Ukrainian president Viktor Yushchenko, who is the godfather of Saakashvili’s son. The two leaders get along extremely well, so creating more family and friendly ties can indeed be an efficient solution to the economic crisis.

The Georgian leader believes there are actually few problems remaining in his country.
Indeed, “in the last few years, we have overcome corruption and organised crime,” Saakashvili said recently.