Banks Received 50 MLN Less From Foreign Exchange Trade

In total, Georgia welcomed 6.9 million international visitors in 2025, up 6.2% year-on-year, including 5.5 million tourists (+8.4%) and 1.3 million one-day visitors (-2.2%).Tourism revenue reached $1.1 billion in Q4 2025, up 9.2% YoY, driven mainly by Israel (+37%), EU countries (+26.6%), neighboring countries excluding Russia (+17.8%), and Asian markets. However, despite more visitors from Russia, revenue from this market fell 23.7% YoY, while revenue from Iran remained nearly unchanged (-1.2%).For the full year 2025, tourism revenues increased 6% YoY to $4.7 billion. Looking ahead, Galt & Taggart forecast 6.1 million tourists in 2026 and tourism revenue rising to $5 billion.

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He explained that the decision followed preliminary consultations with the university rectors.“The launch of a significant reform in the higher education system is founded on thorough analysis, international best practices, and the long-term interests of the country’s development.Recently, a comparative evaluation of academic programmes, research specialisations, and infrastructure across state universities was carried out. Based on this process and preliminary consultations with the rectors, we have decided to merge Tbilisi State University and Georgian Technical University. This merger is a vital step towards establishing Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University as a leading centre for academic and scientific advancement in the region, and will markedly enhance its international rankings,” Givi Mikanadze noted.As Givi Mikanadze explained, by order of the Minister, a temporary management body, the Council, will be established to oversee the merger. An acting rector, together with deputy rectors, will be appointed to manage the reorganisation process.Furthermore, a new position of Lead Professor will be established as part of the higher education reform. Selected through a competitive process, individuals appointed to this role will provide strategic leadership for teaching and research, fostering quality improvement and supporting the development of young academic staff.

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Between 2020 and 2025, both the volume and value of blueberries exported from Georgia have shown sustained growth. In terms of volume, the compound average annual growth rate for 2020-2024 reached 66%. The trend observed during the first ten months of 2025 remains positive, reflecting a 38% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. In value terms, the compound annual growth rate for 2021-2024 was 62%. Between January and October 2025, the total value of exported blueberries increased by 59% relative to the same period in 2024, indicating a rise in the average price per unit.With regard to market structure, exports were low-concentrated during 2020-2022, transitioning to a moderately concentrated market in 2023–2025. Despite the growing share of the largest exporting company, no single entity holds dominant market power, and the distribution of market shares does not suggest conditions for collective dominance.Additionally, the number of companies operating at the export level has increased significantly compared to 2020-2021. During the review period, the position of the largest market participant changed multiple times, and the composition of the five largest companies has been dynamic.Based on these findings, no risks of competition law violations have been identified in the export segment of the blueberry market. Accordingly, the GCCA positively assesses the competitive environment in this market for the period 2020–2025 (January-October).It should be noted that the domestic sale of blueberries largely depends on export markets. Consequently, the primary market operators are exporting companies. The GCCA initiated monitoring of the blueberry market in 2020 in response to requests from local farmers.

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The key outcome of the meeting is that Georgian Railway will have exclusive rights to operate cargo transport on the Marabda–Kartsakhi line. This agreement strengthens the competitiveness of the “Middle Corridor” and aims to attract additional freight to the region.Special attention was given to the official opening of the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars (BTK) railway, a strategically significant development for the South Caucasus. The agreement was signed by Lasha Abashidze for Georgia and Levon Kankava and Mikael Abasov for BTKI Railways.Officials highlighted that the deal will enhance Georgia’s transit and logistics capacity, boosting revenues from international freight. “This agreement is a major milestone for the country’s railway infrastructure and regional economic cooperation, improving competitiveness and strengthening Georgia’s logistics capabilities,” the statement noted.

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According to a statement from the U.S. Embassy in Georgia, the delegation will engage with both government officials and opposition leaders.“We are pleased to host a Congressional Staff delegation in Georgia. As part of their regional visit, they will meet with Georgian officials and opposition figures, and visit the IDP settlement in Tserovani to gain insight into the current situation,” the U.S. Embassy stated.

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As of 01.01./2025, up to 30 MFOs remain on the market, with assets of over 2 billion GEL and a loan portfolio of up to 1.9 billion GEL.The largest player in the MFO market is the pawnshop. The main product of the MFO "Rico" credit line is pawnshop, although the management believes that this does not at all detract from the financial institution.The management of MFOs points to the widespread practice in the market, instability, periodic adjustment of loan terms, including interest rates, from which the Rico pawnshop client is protected.According to the management, the advantage of Rico is reliability. He does not cheat the client and the rate is actually the lowest (18-24%).

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Of these, 9% (92,280 people) earned less than GEL 600, while the largest group, 51% (522,924 people), earned more than GEL 2,400 per month. Compared to the previous month, the share of low-wage earners fell, while the number of those earning above GEL 2,400 increased.PMC noted that the month-on-month growth in December is partly due to the 13th salary payments.According to GeoStat, as of the third quarter of 2025, Georgia had 1.396 million employed people, including 975,000 wage employees and 418,000 self-employed.

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“This briefing has been postponed because of weather conditions,” the Commission said in a statement.The session, titled “Growing Suppression of Dissent by Georgian Dream,” was originally planned for January 28 at 23:00 Tbilisi time.

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