Shamugia cited Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s decision to raise the price set for collecting  the Saperavi variety from growers as evidence the Government was committed to supporting viticulture and winemaking.We began this process in 2013. We are helping both vine growers and winemakers to advance the sector. We are very actively involved in the grape harvesting process every year. We subsidise various grape varieties where we see the necessity. We also help wine producers re-equip their factories, open new ones, and set up [storage] cellars”, the Minister told Imedi TV.He noted over 3,000 small, medium, and large enterprises in the country produced wine, with 500 of them also exporting to countries around the world.Exports are also increasing, which is also important. Last year, we had record figures for exports to the tune of $260 million, and this year, in the first eight months, wine exports are $200 million already. Overall, for the first time, we expect to generate USD 0.5 billion in revenue this year from wine and spirits export”, the Minister pointed out.He also highlighted the importance of advertising campaigns aimed at promoting Georgian wine on international markets, with over GEL 100 million spent, and added the Ministry’s involvement would increase in the coming years.Shamugia’s comments came in the wake of the National Wine Agency saying Kakheti was experiencing a “record grape harvest”, with 78,000 tonnes processed as of Thursday last week.The Prime Minister also announced on Saturday that a state company would accept Saperavi variety for ₾1.5 per kilogram at up to 10 locations, while the Government would also cover the difference for those who had sold the type for less than GEL1.5 so far.Otar Shamugia, the Georgian Minister of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, on Saturday said the income of winegrowers involved in the ongoing harvest in the eastern region of Kakheti was expected to reach GEKL350 million  this year.Shamugia cited Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s decision to raise the price set for collecting  the Saperavi variety from growers as evidence the Government was committed to supporting viticulture and winemaking.We began this process in 2013. We are helping both vine growers and winemakers to advance the sector. We are very actively involved in the grape harvesting process every year. We subsidise various grape varieties where we see the necessity. We also help wine producers re-equip their factories, open new ones, and set up [storage] cellars”, the Minister told Imedi TV.He noted over 3,000 small, medium, and large enterprises in the country produced wine, with 500 of them also exporting to countries around the world.Exports are also increasing, which is also important. Last year, we had record figures for exports to the tune of $260 million, and this year, in the first eight months, wine exports are $200 million already. Overall, for the first time, we expect to generate $0.5 billion in revenue this year from wine and spirits export”, the Minister pointed out.He also highlighted the importance of advertising campaigns aimed at promoting Georgian wine on international markets, with over GEL 100 million spent, and added the Ministry’s involvement would increase in the coming years.Shamugia’s comments came in the wake of the National Wine Agency saying Kakheti was experiencing a “record grape harvest”, with 78,000 tonnes processed as of Thursday last week.The Prime Minister also announced on Saturday that a state company would accept Saperavi variety for ₾1.5 per kilogram at up to 10 locations, while the Government would also cover the difference for those who had sold the type for less than GEL1.5 so far. 

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As of the document, in August 2024, the number of transactions of newly-built flats in Batumi has increased by 10% year over year, while a 7% YoY decrease rate has been observed in the case of old flats.As of August 2024, the number of transactions of residential flats in Batumi has increased by 9% to 1,169 units. The market size has increased by 16% standing at USD 62 millions.

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According to the document, in August 2024 the number of transactions in new projects in Tbilisi increased by 0.4%. While the figure for old flats features a 17% decrease compared to August 2023.As of August 2024 in Tbilisi the weighted average price of old flats has increased by 10% in the suburbs and by 9% in the city centre, while in the wide centre 2% decline was witnessed.As of August 2024 the weighted average price of newly-built flats in Tbilisi has increased by 8% in the suburbs. The figure has increased by 7% in the city centre and by 4% in the wide centre.

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According to the economic activity the highest monthly earnings were observed in the following fields: Information and communication – 3 963 GEL (increased by 4.3 percent compared to the corresponding period of the previous year) Financial and insurance activities – 3 642.3 GEL (increased by 14.5 percent) Construction – 2 946.1 GEL (increased by 13.7 percent) Professional, scientific and technical activities – 2 872.8 Gel (increased by 13.8 percent) In the II quarter of 2024, the average earnings equaled to 1 590.2 GEL for women, while 2 413.5 GEL for men. The annual growth of earnings amounted to 153.1 Gel (10.7%) for women and 251.8 GEL (11.7%) for men. In all sectors of the economy, the average monthly earnings of men were higher than women’s.In the II quarter of 2024, the average monthly earnings of hired employees in the business sector increased by 190.7 GEL (10.0%) and equaled 2 105 GEL. According to the economic activity the highest monthly earnings were observed in Information and communication (4 069.3 GEL, increased by 4.1 percent compared to the corresponding period of the previous year) and Professional, scientific and technical activities (3 289.2GEL, increased by 13.6 percent).Tbilisi and Mtskheta-Mtianeti regions are leading regions by amount of the average earnings. The chart below presents the distribution of the average monthly nominal earnings of employees by regions in the II quarter of 2024.

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With more than 50 producers, the Unique Georgian Taste agromarket will feature dairy and meat products, alcoholic beverages, as well as artisanal confectionery, honey, jams, and other culinary delicacies. Each participant and item at the event conveys stories about Georgia’s culture and emphasises the advantages of food safety in agricultural production.The event participants have benefited from EU and Sweden-funded FAO projects in Georgia. They have received matching grants to improve their agricultural ventures or utilised relevant training opportunities.The Unique Georgian Taste agromarket has supported nearly 70 participants with improved access to market. More than 80 jobs have been created by 20 producers as a result of the increased interest in their products generated by the commercial platform. The agromarket’s 34 producers reported a sales expansion of at least 15% and, overall, a 35% increase in collective income was observed at the end of 2023. Importantly, the Unique Georgian Taste participants have gained 1,000 regular customers and generated more than 330,000 GEL of income during the years 2022-2023.EU and Sweden-funded “Unique Georgian Taste” has become a successful model for collaboration between FAO and the private sector in Georgia. Notably, the event has been instrumental in promoting locally produced niche and terroir products, as well as endemic crop varieties such as cereals. It has helped Georgian farmers establish new commercial relationships with customers and businesses. The Unique Georgian Taste has hence served as a platform for improved access to the market and new income opportunities.About the European UnionFor more than 30 years, the European Union has built a close partnership with Georgia, supporting its development through knowledge and experience sharing, expertise, innovation and financial support. The relationship between the EU and Georgia is based on shared values of peace, freedom, democracy, human rights and inclusive economic growth. About the projectThe European Union supports rural development in Georgia through its ENPARD Programme. Aiming to reduce rural poverty, ENPARD has been implemented since 2013. The Programme started by supporting the development of national agriculture potential. Subsequently, it also concentrated on creating economic opportunities for rural populations in Georgia. Since 2021, the Programme has also been working on improving food safety in the country, with additional support from Sweden, and with FAO and the Czech Development Agency as the main implementers of this food safety component under ENPARD IV.

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As of the document, equity amounted to USD 101.0 million in Q2 2024, which is 17.6 percent of the total foreign direct investment. Reinvestment amounted to USD 451.3 million and the share of reinvestment is 78.6% of total FDI.The United Kingdom reaching USD 266.7 million in Q2 2024 (46.4 percent) was the major foreign direct investor country. Japan was the second with USD 59.2 million (10.3 percent), followed by Malta with USD 37.9 million (6.6 percent). The share of the 3 largest investor countries is 63.3 percent of the total investment.The largest share of FDI was registered in the financial and insurance activities sector, reaching USD 300.1 million (52.3 percent) in Q2 2024, trade sector was the second with USD 79.2 million (13.8 percent), followed by the manufacturing sector with USD 55.5 million (9.7 percent). The share of the 3 largest sectors is 75.7 percent of the total investment.

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The body added the memorandum aimed at deepening cooperation in various areas, including sharing experience on digital governance and individual e-services, exchanging information on challenges in the fields of cyber and information security and collaborating on the development of uniform standards and implementation of projects.The signing of the memorandum was attended by Erekle Gvinianidze, the Deputy Minister of Justice of Georgia, who emphasised the importance of strengthening cooperation with Azerbaijan in cybersecurity.

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According to the document, as a result of the privatization campaign, the agency brought 37,102,291 GEL to the state budget, instead of 37,000,000 GEL provided by the plan for 2Q2024. According to the body, 506 electronic auctions were announced during the mentioned period."Any interested person has the opportunity to participate in the current electronic auctions without any bureaucratic procedures and become the owner of a state asset in a short time," - First Deputy Minister of Economy, Nino Enukidze said.It should be noted that as a result of successful privatization, the National State Property Agency of the Ministry of Economy was able to mobilize more than GEL 142 million in the first and second quarters of this year, and instead of 73 million provided by the six-month privatization plan, the agency contributed more than GEL 97 million to the state budget, thus The 6-month plan was completed by 133%.

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To ensure continued safety and monitoring of the location, professionals from the Emergency Management Service will remain stationed in the area throughout the night, the body added.Earlier: 13:07Rescuers of the Emergency Management Service are “intensively continuing” their efforts to localise a fire in a forest near Akhaldaba village of central Georgia’s Borjomi valley, the body said on Wednesday.Four helicopters from the border police are involved in extinguishing the fire which erupted on Tuesday, it said.“Throughout the night, firefighters have persisted in their efforts to contain the fire, despite the challenging terrain that has made it difficult to bring equipment to the heart of the blaze”, the body said.A total of 150 firefighters from Fire and Rescue Department of the capital city of Tbilisi, southern region of Samtskhe-Javakheti and eastern Shida Kartli region, along with Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park rangers, are engaged in extinguishing the fire.The body said additional rangers from other territorial administrations stood ready to join the operation with firefighting equipment.The Emergency Management Service has also established a specialised field headquarters to coordinate the efforts, while drones are used to monitor the operation. 

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This program is designed to support socially disadvantaged individuals, members of large families, and students with disabilities. Announced by Mayor Kakha Kaladze, the initiative aims to further the program’s annual growth, having assisted 20,000 students since its inception.The program is open to students at all academic levels—bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate, who are registered in Tbilisi, possess active student status and meet the criteria for financial assistance.Funding amounts vary based on academic performance, covering 50%, 70%, or 100% of the semester fee, set at GEL 1,125. Applications will be accepted until November 30, 2024.

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