Often, business leaders are not completely aware of the benefits the public sector can provide both society and business and, for its part, the public sector is often suspicious of business. NGOs must do a better job of publicizing their activities throughout society. At the same time, we must all be realistic and recognize that, at this moment, the business sector in Georgia is also developing and it is not strong or stable yet. We must also consider the effect of legislation on donations from business. Neither past legislation nor the newly-adopted Tax Code of Georgia create an environment conducive to donations.
Businesses receive no tax benefits for their support of public organizations.
Nevertheless, the Georgian NGOs that took an active part in writing and lobbying for amendments to the tax code last year consider the Parliament's decision not to provide businesses with deductions for donations to public organizations to be correct based on the current situation in Georgia. Such abuse would have a negative effect not only on the tax collection rate but also on the future development of the public sector in Georgia. Both noted, however, that with time and improvements in the tax collection system, it will be necessary to revise the tax code to provide benefits for business donations to the public sector. Finally, businesses in Georgia today have no institutionalized charity departments or persons assigned to such responsibilities. It is a new experience for NGOs to suggest project ideas to businesses.