Nadareishvili Names Development of National Startup Ecosystem a Priority

According to G&T research, the highest growth of +11.6%Y.Y comes from branded chains (non-branded growth +7.5%Y.Y).The profitability of branded chains is mainly due to regional expansion and sales growth of existing stores. The average revenue of 1 store in Tbilisi is 2 million GEL, in the region it is 1.6 million GEL."Daily Group" maintains its leadership in the FMCG market. Recall that in 11/2024, the group was consolidated by merging "Foodmart" (with the brands Spar, Ioli and Kalata), "Daily", "Gvirila Retail" and "Retail Group" (Magniti) into one holding company.

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Demand will exceed supply by 2/3. Lasha Khutsishvili bases this expectation on the country's economic indicators, the ongoing work carried out by the government, as well as the goodwill of investors, which, according to him, is really visible.In response to a question from Parulava in the Parliament, he noted that the refinancing of $ 500 million is planned for 04/2026 and due to the increase in the price of money, the interest rate will not be the same as it was 4 or 5 years ago, although the spread, which is set according to the country's risk, will be less than the component of the previous, 2021, issue rate.“Let's wait 3-4 months and we will see this soon”, - Khutsishvili said, adding that the upcoming refinancing is neither the first nor the last.In April 2021, the country's sovereign 5-year bonds were placed at 2.75%. The risk component was 2.2%. Accordingly, the minister expects it to rise to 2.2%.On 12.04.2021, the previous issue, 10-year Eurobonds issued in 2011 (6.875%), expired.

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In 2024 the real GDP increased by 9.7 percent. In 2024 GDP deflator percentage change equaled 4.9 percent YoY.The largest shares of GDP by activity are held by Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (15.4 percent) and Real estate activities (9.8 percent), followed by Manufacturing (9.7 percent), Construction (8.5 percent), Public administration and defence; compulsory social security (6.8 percent), Information and communication (6.4 percent), Agriculture, forestry and fishing (6.3 percent), Transportation and storage (6.3 percent), Education (5.6 percent).In 2024, real growth was registered in Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (9.3 percent), Information and communication (24.6 percent), Education (28.2 percent), Public administration and defence; compulsory social security (15.5 percent), Agriculture, forestry and fishing (13.5 percent), Construction (12.2 percent), Transportation and storage (11.2 percent).A decrease was recorded in Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply (10.5 percent).

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According to an application submitted to the Georgian Civil Aviation Agency under the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, flights between Beijing and Tbilisi will operate via Ürümqi starting on December 2.The introduction of direct flights to Beijing follows a visit by Georgia’s Prime Minister to the People’s Republic of China. During this visit, key topics, including the strengthening of cooperation in civil aviation, were discussed. As part of the visit, Georgia’s Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Mariam Kvrivishvili, signed a memorandum of understanding to develop the Air Silk Road. This agreement underscores both countries’ commitment to fostering the ‘Air Silk Road,’ intended to establish liberal air transport corridors and enhance bilateral cooperation in civil aviation.The launch of direct flights between Tbilisi and Beijing is set to have a positive impact on Georgian-Chinese relations. Flights will be operated twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The Civil Aviation Agency of Georgia granted Air China the necessary operating permit today.Air China entered the Georgian market in December 2024. Currently, the airline operates flights between Tbilisi and Ürümqi twice weekly and has transported 25,035 passengers in the first ten months of this year.

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According to the Ministry, the Georgian delegation centred its discussions on the urgent need for Russia to fully fulfil its obligations under the ceasefire agreement, as well as on ensuring the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees from the occupied territories to their homes.“In the period of November 11-12, 2025, the 65th round of the Geneva International Discussions took place, led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Lasha Darsalia.Throughout the negotiations, the Georgian delegation emphasised the core issues on the agenda, notably the necessity for Russia to implement its international commitments under the August 12, 2008, ceasefire agreement brokered by the European Union, and to facilitate the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons and refugees to their homes from the occupied territories.The importance of restoring the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) in Gali without preconditions was underscored, along with the need for the mechanism to operate regularly in Gali and Ergneti in accordance with fundamental principles.The Georgian side also strongly raised concerns about the occupation of the territories, highlighting the serious security, humanitarian, and human rights crises in the regions, as well as the destructive actions undertaken by the occupation regimes. The Georgian side has voiced particular concern over the recent unlawful opening of the airport in Sukhumi, which violates fundamental principles and norms of international law, as well as the commencement of regular flights and the initiation of rail and sea passenger services from Russia to Sukhumi.As usual, representatives of Russia and the occupation regimes departed from the negotiation table on one of the key issues on the agenda, the return of internally displaced persons and refugees. Consequently, as with previous rounds, the 65th negotiations ended without resolution.The Geneva International Discussions were established in response to the 2008 agreement brokered by the European Union. The core issues under discussion include the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement, the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons and refugees, and addressing the security and humanitarian challenges created by Russian occupation,” the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

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The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs also announced the discovery of the 20th victim.It was previously reported that the aircraft’s black box had been taken to Turkey for examination.The Turkish military plane, carrying 20 servicemen, crashed near the Georgian–Azerbaijani border in the Sighnaghi Municipality while flying from Azerbaijan to Turkey.

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The value of exports increased by 6.8% reaching USD 5,8 billion, while imports increased by 9.3% and amounted to USD 14,9 billion.The trade deficit equalled USD 9 billion, and its share in trade turnover constituted 44%.

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Speaking about the 2021–2025 period, Khutsishvili highlighted that funding for social support and healthcare programs has increased by over GEL 3.5 billion, accounting for 38% of the total budget growth.Key measures in the 2025 draft budget include:Pensions and Social Benefits: Pensioners under 70 years: +110 GEL; in high-mountain areas: +132 GEL Pensioners aged 70 and above: +175 GEL; in high-mountain areas: +210 GEL Number of beneficiaries increased by over 85,000 Compensation for former soldiers and police officers increased by more than 40%, with the upper limit rising from 560 GEL to 1,035 GEL Social benefits for persons with disabilities increased proportionally Assistance for children under 16 increased from 100,000 to 120,000 recipients, with monthly support now 200 GEL per child Healthcare: Funding for healthcare programs increased by over GEL 600 million Salaries of primary healthcare personnel to increase by 10% Defense and Security: Total funding reached GEL 4.2 billion, with a 20% share of the overall budget increase Salaries for soldiers and police officers have risen by 60% over the last four years Education: Funding increased by over GEL 2 billion (22% of the total budget increase) Average salaries for public school teachers increased by GEL 700–800, while kindergarten staff salaries rose by GEL 400–500  Infrastructure: Capital expenditure allocations for 2025 exceed GEL 8 billion, a 66% increase compared to 2021 Additional Social Measures: Pensions for elderly and disabled individuals increased further, including 495 GEL for pensioners 70+ and 370 GEL for those under 70, with higher amounts in mountainous regions Social programs financing totals GEL 7 billionHousing support for displaced persons allocated GEL 240 million Khutsishvili emphasized that the public sector has seen a 46% increase in salaries over the last four years, reflecting ongoing efforts to improve living standards and strengthen social welfare, education, and healthcare systems.

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