Daily News

IN THIS ISSUE:

Sakstat published quarterly estimation, according to which GDP has amounted in the 1^st quarter to 6.32 billion lari (in current prices).

If compared with the same period of 2013, real GDP growth has amounted to 7.1%, while deflator made up 2.1%.

World Bank said in its recent report that Georgia’s GDP growth, making up 3.2% in 2013, will amount in 2014 to 5%.

GDP growth for 2015 is forecasted as 5.5%, while for 2016 – 6%.

Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development reported that the Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili met today with leadership of rating agency Moody’s.

As the Ministry said, the sides have discussed 4-year plan of cooperation and economic development.

Delegation of Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) held a meeting at Georgian Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development today.

According to the Ministry, it was decided at the meeting to hold investment forum on Georgia in Swiss city of Bern in near future.

The government declared that Economic Council under the Prime Minister discussed yesterday specific measures, to be implemented for improvement of investment environment.

As the government said, reporter on the subject was the Premier’s aide on economic issues Roman Chkhenkeli.

Governments of Georgia and Armenia have signed agreement on cooperation in tourism sphere today in Tbilisi.

Last year, number of Armenian visitors to Georgia made up 1.29 million, accounting for 24% of total visitors’ number.

Institute for Development of Freedom of Information said, referring to preliminary decision of Tbilisi City Council, that the Council plans to pay bonuses at 300% of salaries to senior officials, while at 200% – to staff employees.

“We don’t see what has grounded payment of such big bonuses, planned at Tbilisi City Council”, IDFI declared in the statement, released today.

Environment and Natural Resources Protection Ministry reported that first coordinating meeting of technical group on restoration of windbelts was held today. The meeting discussed legal amendments, connected with windbelts, and issues of soil protection from water and wind erosion.

National Bank of Georgia reported that total loss of credit unions (non-banking credit institutions) for the 1^st quarter amounted to 36,627 lari. If compared with the same period of 2013, the loss has increased 2.3 times.

The government decided to release Georgian branch of Chinese Sinohydro from license requirements on construction materials’ extraction for 3 months. As the government said, decision to release the company, engaged in construction of Kobuleti bypass road construction in Ajara, was made “envisaging state and public interests”.