Daily News

IN THIS ISSUE:

On December 8 late at night President Mikheil Saakashvili officially named Finance Minister Zurab Nogaideli as a candidate to the post of prime minister. “I think we have chosen a right candidate”, the President said today.

According to the Statistics Department, in 1990-2003 the birth rate halved in Georgia, while the death rate increased by 1.3%. In 2003 the rate of natural growth of the population made up 139 people, or 0.1%, while in 1990 the figure was 42,094, or 7.8%.

The National Bank (NB) notes positive changes in the assets of the banking system, especially in the loan portfolio. By January 1, 2005, the loan portfolio of the bank increased by 23.5% to 964.9 million lari.

According to the National Bank (NB) by January 1, 2005, total assets of 10 major banks increased by 34.9% to 1.59 billion lari, total liabilities by 39.3% to 1.29 billion lari, while share capital by 18.5% to 298.01 million lari compared to the similar period in 2004.

An increase in liabilities is the result of a rise in deposits and attracted funds, while in the share capital – by shareholders shot and an increase in profits, says the NB.

Tbilaviamsheni (TAM, Tbilisi Aviation Plant) plans to make test flights of a business-class airplane, modernized version of 5-seat American Maverick Jets, approximately in a month. The flight will be scheduled according to weather conditions, TAM reports.

The airpark of the air company Georgian Airways has 3 Boeing aircrafts and plans to lease 2 more. In December last year the company said it had reached an agreement on the question with company ILFC, however, the decision has yet to be made.

The Supreme Court has partially met Tbilmargarinmretsvi’s (the Tbilisi margarine industry) appeal and returned the case to the Tbilisi circuit court. In July 2004, the district court rejected Tbilmargarinmretsvi’s right to Agroprombank’s share.