Samkharadze Evaluates Washington Meetings as Basis for Resetting Relations

Lion Finance Group (BGEO LN) shares closed at GBP 106.10/share (-8.77% w/w and +6.15% m/m). More than 320k shares traded in the range of GBP 104.20 - 118.20/share. Average daily traded volume was 59k in the last 4 weeks. The volume of BGEO shares traded was at 0.74% of its capitalization.TBC Bank Group (TBCG LN) closed the week at GBP 43.15/share (-10.29% w/w and +1.17% m/m). More than 351k shares changed hands in the range of GBP 43.00 - 48.05/share. Average daily traded volume was 70k in the last 4 weeks. The volume of TBCG shares traded was at 0.63% of its capitalization.Georgia Capital (CGEO LN) shares closed at GBP 35.75/share (-4.03% w/w and +9.83% m/m). More than 318k shares traded in the range of GBP 35.00 - 37.40/share. Average daily traded volume was 64k in the last 4 weeks. The volume of CGEO shares traded was at 0.91% of its capitalization. 

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In detail:• The residential segment index decreased by 4.8 percent compared to the previous month and increased by 3.5 percent compared to the same month of the previous year;• The non-residential segment index decreased by 1.9 percent compared to the previous month and increased by 17.7 percent compared to the same month of the previous year;• The civil segment index decreased by 4.1 percent compared to the previous month and increased by 0.9 percent compared to the same month of the previous year.In January 2026 the Construction Cost Index (CCI) decreased by 4.0 percent compared to the previous month. The change was mainly due to a 24.5 percent decrease in average monthly nominal wages of employees in the construction sector, which contributed -4.38 percentage points to the total index change.Compared to January 2025 the CCI increased by 4.3 percent. The latter was largely caused by the 18.8 percent increase in average monthly nominal wages of employees in the construction sector and by the 4.8 percent increase in the category of other costs, which contributed 4.82 and 0.31 percentage points to the total index change, respectively. Along with this, the Construction Cost Index posted a 24.0 percent increase compared to February 2022.The following table presents the CCI in January 2026, compared to the previous month and the same month of the previous year, as well as the contributions of cost categories and segments to the total index.

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According to him, the tariff set in December last year was temporary, as some parameters required additional study. These parameters are currently being refined."The regulatory agency set a temporary tariff for electricity in December last year, as certain parameters needed to be refined. These parameters are currently being refined," Narmania said.He said that the decision on the tariff change will be announced by the end of the month, although it is not yet known whether the tariff will increase for consumers.“As soon as it is clarified, we will make a relevant decision by the end of this month. It will be difficult for me to answer specifically what will happen to the tariff and how much it will increase, since the relevant work is still underway,” he explained.When asked whether the tariff will indeed be revised at the end of the month, Narmania confirmed that the commission will make a decision within this period.In December 2025, instead of the price increase announced for months, the Energy Commission of Georgia maintained the existing tariffs for three months (until March 31, 2026) in order to have time to clarify the energy balance, generation forecasts, company costs and investments.The regulator has not yet specified the scale or direction of the increase.

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During the meeting, the parties discussed priorities for the bilateral partnership, including economic development and improving the quality of life for the population. Masato Kanda congratulated the Prime Minister on the country’s “strong macroeconomic parameters” and the completion of the Rikoti Pass highway.“This is an amazing project that supports regional connectivity,” the ADB President said, speaking about the Rikoti section.A key topic of the discussions was the Bank’s participation in the development of the “Middle Corridor.” The parties also addressed airport modernization and support for the tourism sector.Kanda emphasized that ADB is ready to assist Georgia in achieving its strategic ambitions related to the growth of the country’s transit and logistics potential in the Eurasian region, through innovative projects and financial instruments.

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According to Kanda, the meeting was “very productive” and highlighted the long-standing partnership between ADB and Georgia. Since joining the bank in 2007, Georgia has received nearly $6 billion in financial assistance, with ADB remaining one of the country’s largest development partners.“Encouraging to hear the significant results of Georgia's reforms and sound macroeconomic management – these are the best ‘insurance’ against external shocks,” Kanda wrote.The discussion also focused on strengthening Georgia’s position along the Middle Corridor through enhanced energy, transport, and digital connectivity. Innovative projects, including local currency financing, were highlighted as ways ADB is positioning itself as a leading development finance institution in Georgia.Kanda emphasized that the partnership will continue to support Georgia’s economic progress and improve the quality of life for all its citizens.

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The publication, which is based on official data from the Revenue Service, indicates that the number of employed people decreased by 11.7% compared to December 2025, which is likely explained by seasonal factors. Nevertheless, compared to January 2025, the indicator improved by 2.8%.“In January 2026, the number of persons receiving a monthly salary stood at 904,967, which was 11.7% lower than in December 2025, and 2.8% higher than in January 2025.In January 2026, the share of persons receiving a monthly salary of up to 600 GEL amounted to 17.8%, which was 8.3 percentage points higher than in December 2025, and 1.8 percentage points lower than in January 2025.In January 2026, the share of persons receiving a monthly salary of 2,400 GEL or more amounted to 30.5%, which was 20.3 percentage points lower than in December 2025, and 4.0 percentage points higher than in January 2025.In January 2026, the share of persons receiving a monthly salary of 9,600 GEL or more amounted to 2.6%, which was 3.2 percentage points lower than in December 2025, and 0.3 percentage points higher than in January 2025”, - the document reads.

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As of the document, the increase was observed in the production value of the business sector as well. In the IV quarterof 2025, production value equaled 27.2 billion GEL, which is 15.5 percent more year-on-year.In the IV quarter of 2025, large businesses generated 67.4 percent of total turnover, while medium size businesses generated 14.7 percent, and 17.9 percent was generated by small businesses.A distribution was different in case of total production value: 43.6 percent — large businesses, 24.9 percent — medium, and 31.5 percent — small businesses.In the IV quarter of 2025, total purchases of goods and services carried out by enterprises equaled 35.6 billion GEL (year-on-year 7.2 percent more), while the purchase of goods and services for resale amounted to 20.2 billion GEL (year-on-year 7.0 percent more).In the IV quarter of 2025, the average number of persons employed in business sector equaled 839.2 thousand, which is year-on-year 3.4 percent more. Out of the total number of persons employed, 43.3 percent were female and 56.7 percent were male.Large businesses employed 41.4 percent of total number of persons, while 19.4 percent were employed by medium, and 39.2 percent — by small businesses.The total number of employees amounted to 782.8 thousand (year-on-year 2.4 percent more) and the total personnel costs of enterprises equaled 6 260.3 million GEL (year-on-year 13.1 percent more).In the IV quarter of 2025, average monthly remuneration of employees equaled 2 608.4 GEL (241.3 GEL increase year-on-year), while remuneration specifically for women employees was 1 998 GEL (150.7 GEL increase year-on-year). Average monthly remuneration by size of enterprises was as follows: Large business — 2 743.7 GEL Medium size business — 3 084.9 GEL Small business — 2 152.2 GEL n the IV quarter of 2025, the arts, entertainment and recreation had the highest share (35.9%) in the total turnover in business sector, followed by trade sector (including repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles) with 32.9 percent share, manufacturing – with 7.3 percent, construction – with 6.4 percent, transportation and storage – with 4.5 percent, information and communication – with 3.3 percent, and other sectors – with 9.7 percent share.In the IV quarter of 2025, manufacturing (18.6 percent), trade (18.5 percent), construction (18.5 percent), transportation and storage (9.3 percent) and information and communication (8.4 percent) held the top five places in business sector by production value. The rest of the sectors had 26.6 percent share combined.In the IV quarter of 2025, trade (wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles), manufacturing, and human health and social work activities led business sector by number of employed persons with 29.0 percent, 11.1 percent, and 8.9 percent shares, respectively. Enterprises engaged in construction activities (8.4 percent), transportation and storage (8.4 percent), information and communication (6.5 percent), and accommodation and food service activities (5.5 percent) also had a significant share though.

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According to the official statement, such actions “grossly violate international law” and risk escalating tensions in the region.“In light of the strong friendship and strategic partnership between Georgia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, Georgia expresses solidarity with our brotherly nation in this difficult situation,” the ministry said.Following the incident, Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili spoke by phone with her Azerbaijani counterpart to discuss the situation.Azerbaijani media reported that Iranian-made drones struck the Nakhchivan airport area, injuring four people. In response, Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry summoned the Iranian ambassador, Mojtaba Dermichilu, for explanations.

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