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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The main requirement is to prove at least 2 years of work or economic activity experience in the IT sector. In addition, a minimum salary threshold has been established - a person must prove that his annual salary is not less than $25,000 (equivalent in GEL) in the last 1 year, based on the income received in the same sector.In addition, the submitted documentation must confirm that he received the salary at least twice during the last 1 year, with an interval of at least 30 days.The full list of documents required to obtain a residence permit is as follows: Application: Application in the prescribed form, indicating the unique code assigned by the State Employment Promotion Agency Identity documents: Copies of the alien's travel document and a document confirming legal stay in Georgia Experience and income certificates: Documents confirming 2 years of work experience in the IT field and an annual income of $25,000 Work permit: Decision on granting the right to work Technical details: Color photo (3/4, in electronic form) and receipt for payment of the service fee. 

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Among the strategic markets of Georgian wine, a special growth was recorded in Germany in the first quarter, where exports reached 375 thousand liters, which is 32% more than in the same period last year. Exports to the United Kingdom increased by 9% and reached 86 thousand liters.Also, a 4% increase was recorded in the People's Republic of China, where about 831 thousand liters of wine were exported.In the first quarter, alcoholic beverages were exported to 38 countries. In total, 7.6 million liters of products worth $56.6 million were exported. Revenue from exports increased by 3%.

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In detail: The residential segment index increased by 0.5 percent compared to the previous month and by 3.0 percent compared to the same month of the previous year The non-residential segment index decreased by 2.1 percent compared to the previous month and increased by 4.7 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 1.0 percent compared to the same month of the previous year In February 2026, the Construction Cost Index (CCI) decreased by 0.2 percent compared to the previous month. The change was mainly due to a 0.7 percent decrease in the prices for construction materials, which contributed -0.44 percentage points to the total index change.Compared to February 2025, the CCI increased by 2.4 percent. This was largely caused by the 9.8 percent increase in average monthly nominal wages of employees in the construction sector and by the 4.6 percent increase in the category of other costs, which contributed 2.89 and 0.29 percentage points to the total index change, respectively.Along with this, the Construction Cost Index posted a 23.7 percent increase compared to February 2022.

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Specifically, 153,462 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) were handled in 1Q26, exceeding the figures for the same periods in 2025 (146,468 TEU) and 2024 (126,512 TEU).According to the company, this year has seen the highest number of containers handled and container ships received. Since the beginning of the year, the Port of Poti has hosted 94 container ships.It should be noted that APM Terminals Poti is a member company of the global giant, the Maersk Group. APM Terminals manages 62 port infrastructure and terminals in 35 countries around the world, and has been operating the Poti Seaport since 2011.

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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 7.5%, contributing 2.57 percentage points to the overall annual inflation rate. Within the group the prices increased for the following subgroups: fish (21.2%), fruit and grapes (13.4 %), bread and cereals (9.6%), meat (9.6 %), oils and fats (7.7 %), sugar, jam, honey, chocolate and confectionery (5.3 %), vegetables (4.9 %), milk, cheese and eggs (4.5 %), coffee, tea and cocoa (3.8 %), mineral waters, soft drinks, fruit and vegetable juices (2.1 %);Transport: the prices for the group increased by 4%, contributing 0.49 percentage points to the overall index. Within the group the prices increased for transport services (7.3 %) and operation of personal transport equipment (5.7%);Miscellaneous goods and services: the prices for the group increased by 9.8 percent, contributing 0.48 percentage points to the overall index. Within the group, the prices were higher mainly for the following subgroups: personal effects (58.1%), insurance (8.5%), personal care (4.3%);Alcoholic beverages and tobacco: the prices increased by 6.2%, with the relevant contribution of 0.39 percentage points to the overall annual inflation rate. The prices increased for both tobacco (8%) and alcoholic beverages (4.6%).

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During a meeting with journalists on Friday, April 3, the speaker clarified Bidzina Ivanishvili’s previous statement – ​​“What do the Americans want in the Black Sea?” According to Papuashvili, this statement was referring to the lack of economic interest.“It was a deliberate attempt to interest not only American investors, but also the US government... Unfortunately, we failed to arouse interest. This is exactly what the statement about the extent to which the US could have an economic interest in the Black Sea meant,” Papuashvili said.The Speaker of the Parliament emphasized that in the case of any strategic project, including the Anaklia port, the priority of the Georgian government is to protect national interests. According to him, all agreements are concluded in such a way that the state holds a majority and has the decisive say.Papuashvili also added that the Anaklia port is a very important part of the “middle corridor”, which is in the interests not only of Georgia, but of the entire region in terms of connecting Europe and Asia.According to the Speaker, the dialogue with the new US administration is taking place without setting conditions, on the basis of mutual interests, and Georgia is still open to American investments.

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