Mrs. Vera Kobalia is the former Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia and Advisor to the President of Georgia. During her tenure, the Georgian economy grew over 7% (y/y), total trade turnover increased by 26%, FDI grew by 20%, and the country ranked 9th in World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index.

Since her service in the Georgian government, Vera advises governments all over the world on economic and business environment reforms. Most recently, she has served as International Doing Business Advisor with Australia Indonesia Partnership for Economic Governance. In this role, she has helped the Government of Indonesia move from 109th to 72nd place in World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business ranking, including making it easier for women to start a business; courts transition to electronic payments; and the city of Jakarta build a new zoning map. 

Vera is a member of the Global Future Council on Development Finance at the World Economic Forum for the 2018-2019 term. She became a Young Global Leader at the World Economic Forum in 2012.