The increase in oil prices in international markets and the deterioration of investor sentiment in the stock market led to a correction in the annual dynamics of portfolios. This was most evident in portfolios with a high share of international equities: Dynamic Portfolio: -3.08% decrease Balanced Portfolio: -1.85% decrease Conservative Portfolio: -0.39% slight decrease According to the fund, the stability of the portfolios was maintained by the stable profitability of local assets. Despite the March decline, all three portfolios have remained positive since the beginning of the year, and the annualized returns since their creation range from 11% to 13%.There are currently 1 million 727 thousand people enrolled in the pension scheme. As of March 31, 2026, 30,138 people have already benefited from the accumulated pension, for which a total of GEL 145.5 million was issued.The Fund also warns citizens that from April 9 to April 13, due to the holidays, it will be impossible to receive services both on the hotline and at the branches of the House of Justice and at the Fund's reception area.

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According to the head of government, the decision was made as a result of active consultations with the business sector. The reasons were the interests of the private sector and the possible impact of the regulation on consumer prices.“Plastic consumption harms both human health and the environment... However, at the same time, we must take into account the side factors related to this process, including the subjective interests of business, as well as the possible impact of specific regulations on consumer prices,” Irakli Kobakhidze said.Changes and current regulationsAccording to the original plan, the production (except for export), import and sale of beverages in plastic bottles were to be banned from February 1, 2027. According to the decision, this deadline was extended by 4 years.Nevertheless, other parts of the regulation remain in force: From July 1, 2026: public catering establishments (restaurants, canteens, kiosks, transport) will be prohibited from serving beverages to customers in plastic bottles. Already valid ban: The delivery of ready-made food in disposable plastic containers and cups is prohibited. It is worth noting that the restrictions do not apply to products intended for export and packaging for packaged food. According to the Prime Minister, the process of reducing plastic consumption will continue in stages.

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According to him, over the past few months, a serious optimization of state expenditures within the framework of existing agreements has been carried out in various directions. Along with other agreements, the agreement related to the deepening of the Anaklia deep-sea port and the construction of a breakwater, as well as the contract with the supervisory company, has been revised.According to the Prime Minister, as a result of the changes made, the cost of the project has been reduced by more than 25%, which saved the state budget $52.5 million. Irakli Kobakhidze thanked the Minister of Economy and his team for their work and noted that the construction process in Anaklia will be actively resumed in the coming days with significantly reduced costs.The Anaklia Deepwater Port project is one of the most ambitious geopolitical and economic initiatives in the history of Georgia’s independence. Its idea is based on the country’s strategic location and aims to transform Georgia into a key link in the “Middle Corridor” connecting China and Central Asia with Europe. Unlike traditional ports, Anaklia’s main advantage is its depth, which will allow the country to receive large-capacity, so-called Panamax-type ships for the first time in history.The active phase of the project began in 2016, when the Anaklia Development Consortium (ADC) won the tender. The consortium, headed by Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze, included TBC Holding Anaklia, American Conti International, Dutch Van Oord PPP International, British Wondernet Express, Bulgarian G-Star, and investor Bob Meyer.Construction work began in 2017 and included large-scale dredging of the seabed. According to the original plan, the port was supposed to receive the first ship in 2020, but the process was soon delayed. The main obstacle was related to attracting financing from international banks and additional guarantees required from the state, which was accompanied by a legal dispute against the founders of the consortium.In January 2020, the Georgian government officially terminated the contract signed with the consortium. The state cited non-fulfillment of obligations as the reason, while the consortium accused the government of obstructing the project. Both disputes in international arbitration on this case ended in victory for the state, and the consortium's claim for multi-billion dollar compensation was not satisfied.After the termination of the contract, the state decided to continue the construction of the port with its own funds, where the controlling, 51% stake would remain in the ownership of the state, and only 49% would be transferred to the investor.On May 29, 2024, the government announced that the Chinese-Singaporean Consortium (CCCC) had been selected as the private partner, although, as of this time, an official investment agreement had not yet been signed with them.Currently, marine construction work has resumed at the site and is being carried out by the Belgian giant Jan De Nul. The first phase of the project will see the port deepen to 16 meters. According to the updated plan, the Anaklia Deepwater Port will receive its first ship in 2029, which will significantly increase Georgia's cargo turnover and its influence in the international logistics chain.

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According to Kobakhidze, the changes began in September of last year, after the company's management was changed.As a result of the implemented and ongoing optimization, more than GEL 3.5 million will be saved annually, and the return of business processes transferred to intermediary companies will increase the company's income by GEL 14.2 million annually.In addition, the air terminal function has been restored and the process of signing agreements with new airlines is underway. Renewing terms with existing partners has saved terminal service costs and reduced transit times, as a result of which Georgian Post will receive an additional income of more than GEL 5 million annually.“As a result of all these changes over the past 5 years, Georgian Post will be profitable for the first time. You can see how fundamental the changes that have been and are being implemented are,” the Prime Minister said.

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According to the plan, the state will make large-scale investments to renew the rolling stock. In particular, it is planned to: Purchase 50 new locomotives and 1,500 carriages Purchase 10 new passenger trains, which will allow the company to perform all mainline flights with new trains Implementation of modern railway systems to improve operational processes New directions and reduced travel timeAccording to the Prime Minister, the Tbilisi-Kutaisi direction will be added to the railway. In addition, several important projects will be completed in August: Tbilisi-Batumi: As a result of the rehabilitation, travel time will be reduced by 1.5 hours and will become 4 hours instead of 5.5 hours Tbilisi-Akhaltsikhe: A flight canceled since 2009 will be restored. Travel time will be halved and will be 3 hours instead of 6 Rehabilitation of the historical "Kukushka" The government has decided to completely rehabilitate the Borjomi-Bakuriani historical train, the so-called "Kukushka". The project includes the renovation of both the train and the railway infrastructure and 5 stations."This line has also been stopped since 2020, and according to the plan, the train will serve our citizens and guests of our country from January next year. The restoration of this railway line is also of great importance from a tourist point of view," noted Irakli Kobakhidze

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As Natia Turnava noted during her speech at the briefing, she is pleased that the IMF mission has positively assessed Georgia’s monetary and fiscal policies."The IMF noted that the country's monetary policy is prudent, which is most important in a challenging global environment. It also highlighted Georgia's high economic activity and improved external position. As you know, the current account deficit was historically low, amounting to 2.6% of GDP in 2025. For us, the National Bank, this means that there are still favorable conditions for the continuation of the accumulation of international reserves. There are also strong foreign exchange inflows through various channels, including trade. The IMF also noted in its review that last year foreign exchange reserves reached a record high and for the first time since 2022, the volume of international reserves exceeded the 100% adequacy threshold last year," Natia Turnava noted.She also spoke about inflationary expectations and emphasized that sentiments are well managed in terms of inflationary expectations. According to her, at the same time, it is necessary to take into account the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East, which caused high volatility in international commodity markets, including the Georgian market, and disruptions in logistics chains, which is an additional pressure on prices."This is an additional inflationary shock, the strength of which will depend on the duration of the conflict and the stabilization of oil prices in the international market. Therefore, this is a challenge that we must respond to with cautious and effective monetary policy steps, for which we are ready," added the President of NBG.According to Natia Turnava, one of the issues discussed within the framework of the IMF mission's visit was the improvement of the governance of the National Bank. According to her, according to the IMF's assessment, the recommendations of the IMF in terms of governance improvements have been partially implemented by the Georgian government, while work is underway on the rest.

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