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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“From August-September of this year, the company will start processing exclusively non-Russian crude oil. This step will provide Black Sea Petroleum with access to profitable markets for its products,” the statement said.According to the company, the volume of oil refined at the plant in the first half of 2026 exceeded 650,000 tons.In addition, BSP has expanded its cooperation with international technology corporation Honeywell, which includes the supply of equipment and the implementation of automated control systems.The company also announced plans to expand production.“In the first quarter of 2027, the refinery plans to start producing road bitumen for the domestic and export markets, and from the second quarter - to produce aviation kerosene,” the BSP statement said.The Kulevi oil terminal, located between Poti and Anaklia in Khobi municipality, which has been operating for decades, is owned by Azerbaijan’s state oil company SOCAR (operated by Black Sea Terminal Company).The terminal handled 2.2 million tons of crude oil, oil products and petrochemicals in 2025, and SOCAR has announced expansion works here in 2026.The oil refinery (ORF) in Kulevi began operating in 2025. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze also attended the project presentation in October 2024. The state-owned Development Fund of Georgia and Bidzina Ivanishvili’s Cartu Bank participated in financing the plant.In October 2025, the Russian investigative publication Proekt (Project) published an article discussing the connections of the family and business partners of the owner of the Kulevi oil refinery with the leadership of the Russian Military Intelligence (GRU). In particular, according to the material, the owner of the plant, Maka Asatiani, and his partners are connected to Russian multi-billion dollar oil and logistics businesses, and a member of the partner’s family is the deputy head of the Main Directorate of the Russian General Staff (GRU).At the same time, in October 2025, the newly built Kulevi refinery received its first batch of raw materials from the Russian private company Russneft. Two months later, on December 16, 2025, the British government imposed international sanctions on Russneft, along with other major Russian oil companies.According to experts, Black Sea Petroleum’s decision to completely abandon Russian oil and switch exclusively to non-Russian raw materials is related to avoiding these international sanctions and maintaining access to Western, highly profitable markets.

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In May-26, primary market demand remained broadly flat. Notably, the number of apartments sold increased slightly, while sold area declined, reflecting a decrease in the average size of apartments sold in May. Sales on the secondary market increased significantly and reached the fifthhighest level after 2023. On the supply side, the living area of issued permits declined for the 8th consecutive month. Primary market price continued to increase at a moderate pace, while secondary market price recorded a slight decline, indicating partial stabilization after April’s sharp increase.DemandIn May-26, total number of sold apartments in Tbilisi, according to the Public Registry data, stood at 3,748 units, of which:• Sales on the secondary market increased significantly by 12.4% y/y to 1,924 (up 14.7% y/y in 5M26) partly reflecting the low base of last year.• Sales on the primary market, where data are impacted by delayed registrations, were up 9.7% y/y to 1,824 (up 12.9% y/y in 5M26).• Our real-time survey of developers, which captures current trends on the primary market, showed that number of apartments sold on the primary market was up 2.5% y/y, while sold area declined, reflecting a decrease in average apartment size in May.Cumulatively, the number of apartments sold on the primary market was up 22.1% y/y in 5M26. In total, 18,296 transactions were registered in Tbilisi in 5M26, bringing the residential market value to US$ 1.6bn (+21.9% y/y).SupplyIn May-26, construction permits were issued for 23 residential projects, with total living area of 165,484 sq.m (-18.4% y/y). Notably, the living area of issued permits has contracted annually for the 8th consecutive month, signalling a normalization after previously elevated levels. Overall, living area of permits in 5M26 was down 34.4% y/y.PricesIn May-26, primary market price increased moderately, up 0.3% m/m to US$ 1,412 per sq.m. The average price on the secondary market (for new buildings built with permits issued from 2013) was down 0.3% m/m, reaching US$ 1,366 per sq.m, indicating partial stabilization after a sharp 5.0% increase in April.RentsIn May-26, price for renting an average (50-60 sq.m) apartment in Tbilisi was at US$ 9.9 per sq.m (-0.2% m/m), keeping rental yield high at 8.4%.

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Bektenov said that Kazakhstan considers Georgia an important strategic partner and reliable friend in the South Caucasus, while Tbilisi has a special role to play in strengthening the transport and logistics connection between Central Asia and Europe.According to the Kazakh Prime Minister, during the first four months of 2026, the trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $53 million, and over the past 20 years, investments from Kazakhstan to Georgia exceeded $570 million. According to him, more than 600 companies with Georgian capital operate in Kazakhstan.Olzhas Bektenov also stated that the Kazakh side is interested in launching new joint projects and expanding industrial cooperation, including in the fields of food processing, petrochemicals, logistics, construction materials and manufacturing.According to Irakli Kobakhidze, the meeting also discussed issues of increasing trade and investment, strengthening regional connectivity and further deepening people-to-people relations.A Georgian government delegation arrived in the Kazakh capital, Astana, on an official visit on June 29. As part of the visit, Irakli Kobakhidze has already met with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, with whom the sides discussed bilateral cooperation and prospects for cooperation in the fields of transport and logistics during both face-to-face and expanded meetings.Following the meeting between Tokayev and Kobakhidze, Georgia and Kazakhstan signed a declaration on strategic partnership, and several interdepartmental agreements were also signed in the fields of culture, tourism, and technology.The Georgian delegation includes Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Maka Bochorishvili, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Mariam Kvrivishvili, Minister of Environment Protection and Agriculture Davit Songulashvili, and Head of Government Administration Levan Zhorzholiani.

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In May 2026, compared to the same period of the previous year, the estimated real growth in following activities contributed significantly: Financial and insurance activities, Information and communication, Manufacturing, Transportation and storage.Decline was registered in Construction.

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An analysis of the figures for other countries shows that the main wine exporting countries of the European Union faced higher tariff rates, which was due to various additional tariffs imposed on them throughout 2025.In particular, the effective tariff on wines imported from France was 7.4%, Italy - 8.8%, Spain - 9.3%, and Germany - 9.3%. The highest effective tariff rates were recorded for Slovenia (10%), Austria (9.5%) and Portugal (9.4%).As noted in the report, tariffs for EU member states changed gradually throughout the year. Until April 4, they were taxed at the standard most-favoured-nation (MFN) rate, which was approximately 6.3 cents per liter. From April 5 to August 7, a 10% IEEPA base was added to the tariff, and from August 8, the restrictions were further tightened, and the rate amounted to MFN plus 15%.As for Georgia’s immediate neighbors and other countries in the region, the effective tariff on Armenian wine imports was 6.7%, while Moldova enjoyed a significantly lower rate of 3.7%.Mexico (0.0%) and Canada (0.3%) enjoyed the most favorable tariff conditions in the tariff ranking, which is the result of existing trade agreements between them and the United States. In contrast, products imported from New Zealand were taxed at 9.4%, while Australia and Chile had similar rates of 5.5%.

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