Crime statistics have improved, domestic violence has increased

Speaking at the economic forum Challenges of the Georgian Economy: Geopolitical Role, Investments and Economic Growth, Davitashvili highlighted forecasts and trends, sectoral priorities and challenges, large infrastructure projects, structural reforms and cooperation between the state and the business.“The forecast of the International Monetary Fund shows Georgia will be one of the fastest-growing economies - in fact, the fastest-growing economy among the countries of Europe and the wider region, with economic growth above five percent until 2029”, he said.He also said the growth rate was expected to be above 5.7 percent this year and stressed the country could achieve “even higher” numbers.The Minister also reviewed the current investment sector, saying transport, logistics, service and tourism sectors had recorded “high investment activity” last year. He also emphasised the “high economic activity” had led to a “record-high” employment and a “record low” in unemployment last year.“In the future, we will focus on productivity growth and the technological transformation of the country. The Ministry is actively working on the policy that will allow the country to achieve this goal”, he said.Davitashvili also highlighted the importance of the Middle Corridor - a logistics route connecting Central Asia and China to Europe via the South Caucasus - for Georgia’s economy. He mentioned large infrastructure projects that he said would increase the Corridor's capacity and its economic efficiency.The official noted the volume of cargo transported through the Middle Corridor had doubled in 2022 and again risen by about 86 percent in 2023. He also mentioned the roadmap for the period until 2027 which outlines each participating country’s tasks for improving road infrastructure, management and coordination along the route.Davitashvili emphasised the plans would reduce prices and shipping times and increase safety. He also mentioned Georgia's natural location could allow it to play a “vital role not just as an ordinary link in the chain but as one of the leading ones, including at the political level”. 

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One million direct tourists - an 11 percent increase from the same period in 2023 - were part of the figure, with the number of international visitors from European Union countries at a “record high”, she said.Kvrivishvili said the numbers showed the domestic tourism sector had “completely recovered” from the Covid-19 pandemic.Compared to the same period in 2019, there has been a seven percent increase in international visitors, she also noted.The Deputy Minister added tourist flows from European countries - in particular Germany and Poland - as well as Gulf states were increasing.“The tourism industry in Georgia is maintaining an important dynamic, with diversification playing a key role [...] The country is continuing its policy of diversification to promote itself on the international scene and attract even more international travellers and income from the tourism industry”, she said.The number of visits from EU countries and the United Kingdom has seen “record growth” with a 44.4 percent increase from 2019 figures, the National Tourism Administration said.Poland was the origin of the highest number of visits in the first quarter with a 67.1 percent increase from 2019, followed by Germany with a 46.1 percent increase and the United Kingdom with 27 percent growth, the body said.The number of visits from “high-spending” tourist markets has also increased, with a 27.9 percent increase from Gulf countries compared to 2019, a 33.5 percent increase from Saudi Arabia and a 66.3 percent increase from Kuwait, the Administration added.The body said the data was calculated according to methodology developed based on recommendations of the World Tourism Organisation and measured completed visits. 

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MBC's lending increased by 13% annually, revenues by 17%. MFO ended the first quarter of 2024 with a profit of up to a million.Currently, MBC provides unsecured loans up to 20,000 GEL at an annual rate of 25-35%, and secured loans (auto/mortgage/business/agri/startup) within 20-27%.MFO has announced a reduction in loan rates. After the transformation into a bank, which will directly attract GEL resources from the NBG, without the bank's mediation.MBC risk director Nino Devdariani, who is also a microfinance lobbyist (member of the board of the Microfinance Association), finds it difficult to predict to what level the loan interest will fall, whether it will fall below the 20% threshold or not.As she explained, together with macroeconomic indicators and the refinancing rate, it depends on many parameters.This spring, Nino Devdariani is expecting two news from the NBG, first is microbank license and doubling of 100,000 GEL lending limit for MFOs from the Ministry of Finance, which the recommendation of the NBG.

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On the last trading day of the previous week, the price of 1 gram of gold exceeded  216 GEL.According to the NBG, 557 gold coins have been sold since December 4 (2023), including 8 pieces of 1 kg, and the rest of 0.02 g.Most of them, 117 units, were sold within 2 days of the offer, on December 4-6 last year.Since then, in 5 months, the price of gold has increased by 16%.Against the background of geopolitical risks and the recent increase in inflation, the demand for gold has increased significantly.Only the 20g bar can be purchased online, while 1,000 g bars are sold in the center.

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Bank of Georgia Group (BGEO LN) shares closed at GBP 48.35/share (- 2.32% w/w and +1.90% m/m). More than 239k shares traded in the range of GBP 47.50 - 50.40/share. Average daily traded volume was 54k in the last 4 weeks. The volume of BGEO shares traded was at 0.52% of its capitalization.TBC Bank Group (TBCG LN) closed the week at GBP 30.65/share (- 0.33% w/w and -4.96% m/m). More than 257k shares changed hands in the range of GBP 29.00 - 31.25/share. Average daily traded volume was 53k in the last 4 weeks. The volume of TBCG shares traded was at 0.46% of its capitalization.Georgia Capital (CGEO LN) shares closed at GBP 12.90/share (-1.23% w/w and -1.38% m/m). More than 207k shares traded in the range of GBP 12.66 - 13.28/share. Average daily traded volume was 51k in the last 4 weeks. The volume of CGEO shares traded was at 0.49% of its capitalization.

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"In 2017, it has already been confirmed that marriage is only a union between a man and a woman. Other countries also had these entries in their constitutions, however, as an alternative, the so-called civil partnership agreement, a legal form that placed this union in the same legal dimension. The purpose of this record is to ensure that marriage and the family are what the Constitution defines them to be, and that no legal alternatives are allowed. At the same time,  18 years has been  established as the constitutional marriage age. At different times, this age has also changed and this will also be a constitutionally established age," Papuashvili said.

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“The developments are natural. What our parents and history put in us stands behind this process. We are a freedom-loving nation. A nation that sees itself not in slavery but in freedom, and this freedom is in Europe. We cannot accept Russian slavery.I don’t think the Georgian Dream will withdraw the Transparency of Foreign Influence bill. But if the bill is passed, the GD will get a response that is Russian force overthrow from power,” he said.

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In a social media message, Khutsishvili said he had held “very good discussions” with the representatives of the international institutions, with the discussions also going into future prospects.Last month, Asakawa and Khutsishvili discussed preparations for Georgia’s hosting of the upcoming 57th annual meeting of the ADB. The Bank official said in a social media post he had thanked the Georgian Minister for “excellent” preparations and planning that were being put in place for the event.The Bank President also said his meeting with Khutsishvili discussed approval of a new, five-year country partnership strategy. Asakawa said the Bank would support Georgia’s transition to a “green and inclusive regional gateway” between Asia and Europe, and the rest of the world.The ADB on Wednesday said it had approved a €46.3 million policy-based loan to help improve access to quality and affordable healthcare in Georgia.

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