Economics

The trade deficit of foreign trade is below 50%

The value of export increased by 14.6 percent reaching USD 2 595.3 million, while the import increased by 12.8 percent and amounted to USD 7,19 billion.The trade deficit equaled USD 4,6 bln and its share in trade turnover constituted 47%.

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Georgia Ranks 16th in Global Wine Production with 27% Annual Growth

The report also notes that 2024’s output surpassed Georgia’s five-year production average by 20%, marking the highest annual wine production since the beginning of the 21st century. The OIV attributes this growth primarily to favorable weather conditions in Georgia’s major wine-producing regions.Vineyard Expansion and Consumption Trends.Georgia had 48,700 hectares of vineyards in 2024, reflecting a modest annual increase of 0.4% and ranking the country 26th globally in vineyard area.Domestic wine consumption also surged by 27%, reaching 119.9 million liters, placing Georgia 29th in the world for wine consumption. The OIV estimates that Georgians aged 15 and older consumed an average of 39.9 liters of wine per person annually, accounting for 0.6% of global wine consumption.While Georgia’s production and consumption rose, global wine consumption declined by 3.3%, dropping to 214 million hectoliters, the lowest level since 1961.Despite domestic success, Georgian wine exports sharply declined in early 2025. According to Geostat, from January to April 2025, Georgia exported 23,946 tons of wine worth $72 million, a 45% decrease from the same period in 2024 ($126.9 million/45,197 tons).Russia, Georgia’s largest export market, saw the most significant drop. Exports to Russia fell by 59.3%, from $99.55 million to $40.45 million.Top 5 Export Markets for Georgian Wine (Jan–Apr 2025): Russia – $40.45 million (14,404 tons) Poland – $6.17 million (2,578 tons) Ukraine – $3.65 million (1,318 tons) China – $3.52 million (1,124 tons) Kazakhstan – $3.67 million (1,063 tons)

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FDI down by 7.7% in1Q25

Equity amounted to USD 62.1 million in Q1 2025, which is 34.6% of the total foreign direct investment. Reinvestment amounted to USD 150.0 million and the share of reinvestment is 83.6% of total FDI.The Czech Republic reaching USD 43.0 million in Q1 2025 (23.9%) was the major foreign direct investor country. The United States was the second with USD 39.6 million (22.1 %), followed by Türkiye with USD 28.1 million (15.7 %). The share of the three largest investor countries is 61.7% of the total investment.The Czech Republic reaching USD 43.0 million in Q1 2025 (23.9%) was the major foreign direct investor country. The United States was the second with USD 39.6 million (22.1 %), followed by Türkiye with USD 28.1 million (15.7%). The share of the three largest investor countries is 61.7% of the total investment.The largest share of FDI was registered in the energy sector, reaching USD 70.2 million (39.1%) in Q1 2025, Information and communication sector was the second with USD 52.3 million (29.2%), followed by the manufacturing sector with USD 27.5 million (15.3%).The share of the three largest sectors in total foreign direct investment amounted to 83.6%.

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The CCI increased by 5.1 percent in April y-o-y

In detail:• The residential segment index decreased by 0.4 percent compared to the previous month and increased by 8.3 percent compared to the same month of the previous year;• The non-residential segment index decreased by 2.5 percent compared to the previous month and increased by 2.5 percent compared to the same month of the previous year;• The civil segment index decreased by 0.2 percent compared to the previous month and increased by 2.6 percent compared to the same month of the previous year.In April 2025 the Construction Cost Index (CCI) decreased by 0.6 percent compared to the previous month. The change was mainly due to a 1.3 percent decreased in average monthly nominal wages of employees in the construction sector, which contributed -0.45 percentage points to the total index change. Compared to April 2024 the CCI increased by 5.1 percent.The latter was largely caused by the 18.3 percent increase in average monthly nominal wages of employees in the construction sector and by the 2.2 percent increase in the prices of construction materials, which contributed 3.53 and 1.38 percentage points to the total index change, respectively. Along with this, the Construction Cost Index posted a 22.8 percent increase compared to February 2022.

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Annual Inflation Rate Amounted To 3.5% In May

As of the document, the annual inflation rate was mainly influenced by price changes for the following groups:Food and non-alcoholic beverages: the prices in the group increased by 8.3 percent, contributing 2.82 percentage points to the overall annual inflation rate. Within the group the prices increased for the following subgroups: oils and fats (22.5 percent), vegetables (17.6 percent), coffee, tea and cocoa (15.4 percent), mineral waters, soft drinks, fruit and vegetable juices (10.6 percent), sugar, jam, honey, chocolate and confectionery (9.5 percent), bread and cereals (8.4 percent), fish (6.9 percent), milk, cheese and eggs (6.9 percent), meat (2.2 percent). At the same time, prices decreased for fruit and grapes (-4.7 percent);Health: the prices increased by 9.0 percent, contributing 0.75 percentage points to the overall index. The prices were higher for the following subgroups: out-patient services (10.2 percent), medical products, appliances and equipment (8.3 percent), hospital services (7.6 percent);Miscellaneous goods and services: the prices for the group increased by 5.9 percent, contributing 0.29 percentage points to the overall index. Within the group, the prices were higher mainly for the following subgroups: personal effects n.e.c. (20.7 percent), insurance (8.7 percent), financial services n.e.c. (5.4 percent), personal care (2.7 percent);Transport: the prices for the group decreased by 4.5 percent, contributing -0.54 percentage points to the overall index. Within the group the prices decreased for operation of personal transport equipment (-7.4 percent). At the same time, the prices increased for purchase of vehicles (0.9 percent) and transport services (0.7 percent).

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95.2% of enterprises had access to the internet in 2024 – Geostat

In addition, 73.3 percent of enterprises used fixed-line means such as fiber-optic (FTTH), cable technologies, DSL connection (ADSL, SDSL, VDSL), etc. to provide internet connection.In 2024, 26.8 percent of employees used portable computers or smartphones provided by the enterprise that supported the internet connection (for business use only), while the share of enterprises using webpage or website was 13.9 percent.Enterprises used social media such as social networks (Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.) – 28.8 percent, while 70.7 percent of enterprises did not use any social media.

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GDP Growth Rate Amounted To 7.5% For April

As of the document, in April 2025, compared to the same period of the previous year, the estimated real growth in following activities contributed significantly: Information and communication, Financial and Insurance activities, Mining and quarrying, Real estate activities, Transportation and storage.Decline was registered in Construction and Manufacturing.

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Poverty rate in Georgia drops to 9.4% in 2024

In 2024, the absolute poverty rate in urban areas decreased by 1.6 percentage points, amounting to 7.8 percent, while in rural areas it decreased by 3.7 percentage points, amounting to 11.9 percent.In 2024, the absolute poverty rate decreased compared to the previous year across all age groups of the population. Specifically, the indicator was 12.1 percent in the age group under 18 years (-4.0 percentage points), in the 18-64 age group – 9.3 percent (-2.1 percentage points), and in the age group 65 and older – 6.7 percent (-1.3 percentage points).The absolute poverty rate decreased by 2.4 percentage points for both women and men, amounting to 9.0 percent and 9.8 percent, respectively.In 2024, the share of the population under 60 percent of the median consumption decreased by 0.9 percentage points, amounting to 18.9 percent, while the share of the population under 40 percent of the median consumption decreased by 0.7 percentage points, amounting to 6.7 percent.In 2024, compared to the previous year, the value of the Gini coefficient decreased by 0.02 based on both total incomes and total inflows, amounting to 0.35. However, it remained unchanged based on total consumption expenditures and total expenditures, amounting to 0.36 and 0.40, respectively.

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Local beer consumption hits new high

TBC Capital predicts that the FMCG and HORECA industries are expected to maintain sustainable growth rates in the coming years.“While domestic beer production volumes remained largely unchanged in 2024, price changes significantly increased the value of manufactured goods.The annual figures also show increased demand for imported beer.The increased domestic demand, especially for imported beer, is reflected in a significant increase in imports and a decrease in exports,” the study says.In more detail, according to the study, in 2024, local beer production in Georgia increased by 1% compared to the previous year and amounted to 127 million liters, and the average price per liter was 2.8 GEL. As for consumption, according to the study, in 2024, 138 million liters of beer were brewed in Georgia, of which 87% came from local production and only 13% from imports. In 2023, consumption was 125 million litres, of which 10% came from imports.In addition, according to TBC Capital, imports last year amounted to 15.5 thousand tons, which is 3.8 thousand tons more than in 2023. The export rate decreased by a thousand tons, from 6.9 thousand tons to 5.9 thousand tons.

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The unit value of non-perennial crops increased by 34%

Compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous year, the Unit Value Index of Agricultural Products increased by 13.3%. The latter was largely caused by the 51.6% increase in the unit value of non-perennial crops, which contributed 9.09 percentage points to the total index change.In the same period, the unit value of perennial crops went down by 2.6 percent and went up by 10.2% for live animals and animal products, with the relevant contribution of -1.16 and 5.39 percentage points to the total index change, respectively.

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The trade deficit of foreign trade is below 50%

1749812623 • Economics

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Politics

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Zourabichvili participates in GLOBSEC Forum in Prague

During the forum, Zourabichvili held discussions with Czech President Petr Pavel and French Minister for Europe Benjamin Haddad, focusing on the ongoing developments in Georgia.The press service reported that, in the course of these conversations, Salome Zourabichvili spoke about: “the current situation in Georgia, including the widespread repressions carried out by the Georgian Dream government, the imprisonment of political figures, heavy fines, and the large-scale fines imposed on those who oppose or criticize the government’s foreign policy and domestic policies”.

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Gvaramia, sentenced to imprisonment, arrived at Rustavi Prison No. 12...

Earlier, Nika Gvaramia wrote on social media: "Not a single step back! Our homeland is behind us! The oligarchy must fall! Glory to Georgia!".During the trial, the prosecutor's office requested that the preventive measure imposed on Nika Gvaramia, the 30,000-GEL bail, be replaced with imprisonment. The judge granted the prosecutor's request and replaced Gvaramia's bail imposed as a preventive measure with imprisonment.The accused politician did not pay the bail imposed on him within the period established by law.Nika Gvaramia was summoned to give an explanation before the Temporary Investigative Commission of the Parliament of Georgia, where he did not appear. In this regard, he has been charged under Article 349 of the Criminal Code, which refers to "failure to comply with the request of the Temporary Investigative Commission of the Parliament of Georgia", which is punishable by a fine, or imprisonment for a term of up to one year, or deprivation of the right to hold a position or engage in activity for a term of up to three years.Nika Gvaramia was granted bail of 30,000 GEL as a preventive measure, which was set at 50 days. The aforementioned period expired on June 7.Several other politicians have been arrested on charges of failing to appear at the Tsulukiani Commission. Among them: former Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili, Nika Melia, co-founder of the Akhali party and leader of the Girchi More Freedom party Zura Japaridze.Criminal cases have also been opened against other politicians for failing to appear at the Tsulukiani Commission, who chose to pay bail rather than imprisonment. These are: Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze - 50,000 GEL each, Givi Targamadze - 10,000 GEL, and Giorgi Vashadze - 50,000 GEL.

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Kobakhidze: Hate campaigns in Georgia are externally funded and will b...

“A campaign of hate and contempt is underway in Georgia, and this phenomenon is not unique to our country. Similar externally funded campaigns are taking place in other nations as well, including Hungary. We are closely monitoring these developments and cannot allow such efforts to be successfully planned or carried out.In Georgia, these campaigns are clearly supported by foreign funding, and we will confront them using all legal means. Hatred and contempt hinder the country’s progress, and we have every right—within the bounds of the law—to resist these artificially imposed narratives. There should be no place for such destructive sentiments in Georgian society,” he added.

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Tamar Taliashvili's candidacy for the position of Georgian Ambassador...

“In accordance with subparagraph “a” of paragraph 1 of Article 52 of the Constitution of Georgia and subparagraph “g” of Article 5 of the Law of Georgia “On the Structure, Powers and Procedures of the Government of Georgia”, the candidacy of Tamar Taliashvili shall be submitted to the President of Georgia for appointment to the position of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the United States of America from July 10, 2025,” reads the document signed by Kobakhidze.Another decree is dated June 9, according to which Irakli Kobakhidze addresses Mikheil Kavelashvili with a proposal regarding the dismissal of Tamar Taliashvili from the position of Permanent Representative of Georgia to the Council of Europe from July 10.According to state media, Taliashvili has already received an agreement from the Trump administration.Who is Tamar Taliashvili? Tamar Taliashvili has been Georgia's Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe since October 2022, having previously resigned from her parliamentary seat, which she won in October 2020 under the Georgian Dream parliamentary list. Tamar Taliashvili (two terms) was a member of the Tbilisi City Council from 2014 to 2020, during which time she chaired the Education and Culture Commission. Taliashvili was nominated for the US Secretary of State's Women in Public Service nomination in 2011. Before entering politics, Tamar Taliashvili worked at various times as a legal assurance program manager for the USAID Fiscal Reform Project and as a legal advisor to the German foundation GIZ.

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Zviad Kharazishvili was replaced by Roman Kartsivadzi

“Another change in the Ministry of Internal Affairs concerned the Special Tasks Department - Roman Kartsivadze was appointed to the position of Director of the said department,” the information released by the agency says.Against the backdrop of the pro-European protests that began after November 28, 2024, Zviad Kharazishvili has been in the spotlight several times. Once, when he cursed citizens gathered at the rally with a loudspeaker.Also, employees of the Special Tasks Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs have raped participants of the rally and journalists. No one has been punished so far.This fact was followed by the sanctioning of “Khareba” by a number of countries. Among them, he was sanctioned by the US and Great Britain.According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the new Minister of Internal Affairs, Gela Geladze, has a new deputy - Mariam Tabatadze has been appointed to the vacant position, who will head the economic and logistics departments, as well as the LEPL Health Care Service.