According to the American Association of Wine Economics (AAWE), the value of wine imported from Georgia to Canada in 2025 increased from $1.23 million to $1.58 million (+$0.35 million) compared to 2024.The changes in the market are related to the blockade imposed by Canada on American products. In 2024-2025, wine imports from the US fell from $431.02 million to $99.94 million, a dramatic 76.8% decrease (-$331.08 million).The European giants benefited the most from the substitution of American products: France: Imports increased by 12.7% to $601.13 million (+$67.90 million). Italy: The increase was 6.6% and the volume increased to $509.83 million (+$31.48 million). Spain: Imports increased by 10.2% ($148.18 million). Significant increases were recorded by Australia (+18.4%), New Zealand (+16.6%) and Chile (+24.1%).Despite increased exports from individual countries, including Georgia, the US wine deficit could not be fully filled. Total global imports of Canadian wine fell by 7% to $1.93 billion, meaning that almost half of the US deficit was simply not replaced in the market.

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Of this figure, GeoStat reports that exports accounted for USD 3,876.7 million, reflecting a 20.1 per cent surge, while imports stood at USD 9,048.8 million, representing a modest growth of 0.7 per cent.Consequently, the negative trade balance for January–June 2026 reached USD 5,172.1 million, constituting 40.0 per cent of the total foreign trade turnover.

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According to the ministry, an order has already been issued, which determines the exact rules and conditions for checking the noise level using a certified portable device.According to the resolution of the Government of Georgia, in populated areas at night - from 23:00 to 08:00, the noise generated during the operation of vehicles should not exceed 80 decibels.The Code of Administrative Offenses of Georgia provides for strict sanctions for violation of the established norms: First case: results in a fine of 100 GEL and a deduction of 10 points on the driver's license; Second case: Repeating the same action will result in a fine of 200 GEL and a reduction of 20 points; Third and each subsequent case: will result in a fine of 300 GEL and a reduction of 30 points on the driving license.

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According to the government decree, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture will oversee the planning and implementation process, while the state-owned Solid Waste Management Company of Georgia will be responsible for carrying out the projects. The company will need to prepare the necessary documentation and organize the construction of the facilities in compliance with Georgian legislation and, where applicable, international financial institutions’ procurement rules.The planned regional landfill complexes will serve four zones: Kakheti; Shida Kartli and Mtskheta-Mtianeti; Imereti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti; and Samtskhe-Javakheti. The projects will also include waste transfer stations and are expected to incorporate waste processing facilities.The government has not yet disclosed the estimated cost of the projects. To finance international consulting services required for project preparation, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture will hold consultations with international financial institutions.

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In detail: The residential segment index decreased by 0.5 percent compared to the previous month and increased by 0.3 percent compared to the same month of the previous year; The non-residential segment index increased by 0.3 percent compared to the previous month and by 7.0 percent compared to the same month of the previous year; The civil segment index increased by 1.5 percent compared to the previous month and by 6.8 percent compared to the same month of the previous year; In May 2026 the Construction Cost Index (CCI) increased by 0.5 percent compared to the previous month. The change was mainly due to a 0.6 percent increase in the prices for construction materials, which contributed 0.35 percentage points to the total index change.Compared to May 2025 the CCI increased by 4.1 percent. The latter was largely caused by the 17.2 percent increase in the cost category of transportation, fuel and electricity and by the 1.1 percent increase in average monthly nominal wages of employees in the construction sector, which contributed 2.06 and 1.12 percentage points to the total index change, respectively. Along with this, the Construction Cost Index posted a 28.1 percent increase compared to February 2022.

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According to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, a corresponding amendment was made to the Government Resolution No. 304 of June 8, 2022, “On Technical Regulations - Plastic Materials and Products (Objects) Intended for Contact with Food”.According to the adopted amendment, new deadlines have been set for the imposed restrictions. In particular, the new date for the entry into force of the ban on single-use plastic food containers was set as January 1, 2027, while the ban on single-use cups will come into force from July 1, 2027.

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According to the minister, the mentioned amount was necessary to implement a new component, which involves the arrangement of fundamental port infrastructure, including berths, communications and other related infrastructure. The total investment volume of the project remains unchanged and amounts to $1.1 billion, although the proportion of financing is changing. Under the previous concept, the state's obligation was limited to the current infrastructure (breakwater and dredging), as well as the railway and access road, while the new model also includes the construction of berths.According to Mariam Kvrivishvili, $50-52 million has been optimized within the framework of the current construction works. Accordingly, instead of $250 million, the state will need to find an additional $200 million, which will be financed from budget funds and in cooperation with international financial institutions (IFIs). According to the minister, negotiations with international donors have already begun and there is great interest in the project. Private international operators will have to invest in fully equipping the berths.As for cooperation with the Chinese-Singaporean consortium, the minister noted that the parties will continue to work actively. “We remain in a very friendly and partnership mode with the Chinese side. We are confident that, given the importance of this project, we will see the involvement of the Chinese side in the updated model of the Anaklia port,” said Kvrivishvili. He also added that who specifically will be the representative of the Chinese side in the new model will become more clear in the ongoing work process.Ultimately, the state will invest in the Anaklia port in three directions: dredging and breakwater works, construction of a railway and a connecting road, and a new component - the construction of the main port infrastructure and berths.According to the original project of the Anaklia deep-water port, the port was supposed to receive its first ship in 2020. However, that same year, the Georgian government canceled the investment agreement signed in 2016 with the Anaklia Development Consortium, which delayed the implementation of the project for years.Later, on May 29, 2024, the government announced that a 49 percent stake in the port would be acquired by the Chinese-Singaporean consortium China Communications Construction Company. The company is a key player in China’s ambitious global project, the Belt and Road Initiative, but has been blacklisted by the United States for its destructive actions in the South China Sea.Despite the Chinese presence, Western partners are also interested in the project. In March 2026, the Anaklia Port plan was presented to Peter Andreoli, a representative of the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs of the US State Department, who was visiting Tbilisi. At this time, an official investment agreement has not yet been signed between the parties and work on detailed agreements is ongoing.According to Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, at this stage, the first phase of the port is expected to be completed by 2029. In parallel with the construction of the port, work is also underway to arrange an access road and railway.

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The agency explains that with the new mechanism, companies carrying out international freight transportation between the two countries will have the opportunity to use permit documents in a fully digital format. This change will significantly simplify administrative procedures, reduce the need for processing physical (paper) documents, speed up the process of issuing permits and control, and increase the efficiency of the sector, the agency believes.According to Bakur Mikadze, Director of the Land Transport Agency, the digital permit system is based on a two-way principle, which means that both countries use a single electronic platform. This ensures fast and secure data exchange, reduces technical and administrative delays and creates a more transparent mechanism for the administration of shipments. According to him, a working group has been created at this stage and the agency plans to gradually convert the systems operating with other partner countries to a digital format.The agency believes that the launch of the ECMT (European Conference of Ministers of Transport Multilateral Permit) electronic system and the digital permit mechanism with Turkey are an important stage in the development of the sector. This reform will contribute to the development of the transport and logistics sector, the simplification of international trade and the further strengthening of Georgia's role as a regional transit hub.

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According to the mentioned model, the state will remain the owner of the main maritime and port infrastructure and will ensure its development and management. According to the minister, the Landlord model will give the country the opportunity to develop the Anaklia Port in partnership with several states and companies at the same time, which will create the best conditions for attracting cargo.Along with the creation of the port infrastructure, the state will provide for the arrangement of the road and railway to Anaklia with its own funds. As for the container and bulk cargo terminals, the necessary investments in this direction will be made by international investors and private operators.According to Mariam Kvrivishvili, the Georgian government particularly welcomes the investments made in the Anaklia port from the countries participating in the “Middle Corridor” - China, Central Asian states and Azerbaijan.“The decision is based on the main goal, with the participation of partner countries and taking into account their interests, the Anaklia port will become a center for the convergence of international interests, capital and cargo flows. This decision will further strengthen Georgia’s national interests, create new economic opportunities and make our country a key participant in the Middle Corridor project,” the Minister of Economy noted.According to the original design of the Anaklia Deepwater Port, the port was supposed to receive its first ship in 2020. However, that same year, the Georgian government canceled the investment agreement signed in 2016 with the Anaklia Development Consortium, which delayed the implementation of the project for years.Later, on May 29, 2024, the government announced that a 49 percent stake in the port would be acquired by the Chinese-Singaporean consortium China Communications Construction Company. This firm is one of the main players in China’s ambitious global project, the Belt and Road Initiative, but at the same time, it has been blacklisted by the United States due to its destructive actions in the South China Sea.Despite the appearance of the Chinese side, Western partners are also interested in the project. In March 2026, the Anaklia Port plan was presented to Peter Andreoli, a representative of the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs of the US State Department, who was visiting Tbilisi. At this time, an official investment agreement has not yet been signed between the parties and work on detailed agreements is ongoing.According to Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, at this stage, the first phase of the port is expected to be completed by 2029. In parallel with the construction of the port, work is also underway to arrange an access road and railway.

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With regard to the annual core inflation, the prices increased by 3.5%, while the annual core inflation without tobacco amounted to 3.2%.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 5.6 percent, contributing 1.92 percentage points to the overall annual inflation rate. Within the group the prices increased for the following subgroups: fish (20.4 percent), meat (9.8 percent), fruit and grapes (8.7 percent), bread and cereals (6.6 percent), sugar, jam, honey, chocolate and confectionery (5.5 percent), oils and fats (5.5 percent), coffee, tea and cocoa (4.2 percent), mineral waters, soft drinks, fruit and vegetable juices (1.8 percent), milk, cheese and eggs (1.8 percent), vegetables (0.4 percent);Transport: the prices for the group increased by 16.5 percent, contributing 1.87 percentage points to the overall index. Within the group the prices increased for operation of personal transport equipment (24.0 percent) and transport services (11.8 percent);Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels: the prices for the group increased by 7.2 percent, contributing 0.69 percentage points to the overall index. The prices were higher for the subgroups of electricity, gas and other fuels (10.1 percent), maintenance and repair of the dwelling (6.8 percent) and actual rentals for housing (5.4 percent);Health: the prices increased by 4.7 percent, contributing 0.4 percentage points to the overall index. The prices were higher for the following subgroups: medical products, appliances and equipment (7.5 percent), out-patient services (3.0 percent).

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