Daily News

IN THIS ISSUE:

Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili spread a statement today, naming Vilnius Summit of Eastern Partnership “historical”. Georgia’s integration in the EU has no alternative, he declared.

Georgian government informed that Georgia and Switzerland have completed internal procedures regarding simplification of visa issuance. The agreement will enter into force on January 1, 2014.

A project on building of capacity of Georgian Finance Ministry’s Academy was launched today, being funded by EU within Twinning program.

“The project that will be implemented by Estonian and Finnish specialists targets strengthening of institutional capacity of Finance Ministry’s Academy”, head of EU Delegation Philip Dimitrov said.

Delegation of medium business representatives from Germany’s freistaat Bavaria paid visit to Georgia on November 26-27, holding meetings with governmental officials and up to 60 potential local partners.

German Embassy in Georgia informed that the delegation composed of more than 20 businessmen, engaged in construction, agriculture, food industry, power and electric engineering, chemistry and gastronomy business.

Asian Development Bank (ADB) informed that loan of $73 million was approved to Georgia. The amount will be spent for transport infrastructure improvement of Tbilisi-Rustavi highway and pitching of coastal line in Anaklia.

International Finance Corporation (IFC, member of the World Bank group) informed that a new consulting program will be implemented in Georgia, aiming assistance to local agricultural companies in international standards’ introduction. The program will be funded by Austrian Finance Ministry.

Director general of Co-Investment Fund Giorgi Bachiashvili declared that the Fund will make its first investment in agriculture. The matter concerns investment of $40 million, Bachiashvili said at yesterday’s meeting with members of AmCham (American Chamber of Commerce in Georgia).

Agriculture Ministry reported that the 6^th component was added to preferential agrolending program, being envisaged for tangerine purchasing enterprises.

Loans are issued for 4 months, having interest rates of 12-15%, of which 9% is covered by the state.

Agriculture Ministry reported that 48 companies have benefited from the 5^th component of preferential agrolending program (funding of grapes’ purchase by wine companies).

The Ministry informed that total lending to these companies amounted to 52.37 million lari.

Georgian government declared that memorandum, signed with Kolin Construction, Tourism, Industry and Trading Co. on construction of 4 hydroelectric stations, was canceled.

Director of Georgian Steel Natia Jakeli declared that agreement, signed between the government and Badri Patarkatsishvili’s family in 2011, has been unclassified. Despite this, disclosure of the document is still unavailable, she noted.

National Investment Agency informed that American network of coffee and tea restaurants The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf will open its first restaurant in Tbilisi (at Tbilisi Mall trade center) on April 4 of next year. Local partner of the company will be law firm BLC.