Related items

• External Merchandise Trade of Georgia in 2016

  External Merchandise Trade (excluding non-declared trade) of Georgia amounted to USD 11985 million in 2016 (preliminary data), grew by 21 percent from the same period of the previous year. The value of export decreased by 4 percent reaching USD 2114 million, while the import grew by 28 percent and amounted to USD 9871 million with respect to of the previous year. The trade deficit equaled USD 7757 million and its share in trade turnover constituted 65 percent.
  Import without C hepatitis medicaments equaled USD 7252 million 0.4 percent less compared to the same period of the previous year.
  
  

• Training for Geostat staff

  The large-scale training is being held for the field staff of the Agricultural Statistics Division of National Statistics Office of Georgia, with the assistance and financial support of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). 

  The training encompasses the methodology of sample survey of agricultural holdings, filling in the questionnaires, online data entry and issues of improving communication with respondents. In the learning process, field staff members are also provided with information on the updated sampling frame as a result of 2014 Agricultural Census and other novelties regarding the survey. The staff members of Agricultural and Environment Statistics Division of Geostat conduct the trainings. 

  The management of Geostat attended the current training. According to Ms. Meri Daushvili, the Executive Director of Geostat, conducting such kinds of meetings is very important. She pointed out that the main objective of the training is to increase the qualification of staff members and improve the quality of statistical data in the field of agriculture. 

  The training will be held in two stages – for the field staff of Western and Eastern Georgia. In sum, up to 400 staff members of Geostat will participate in the training.
• Geostat was awarded for providing public information accessibility

  Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) named National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat) as the most open and transparent public institution in 2016 and award for “providing public information accessibility”. 

  Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) and Open Society Georgia Foundation held a conclusive event on information freedom situation in Georgia during 2010-2016 years. IDFI has been organizing the award ceremony for 7 years. National Statistics Office of Georgia achieved the highest level of public information accessibility and was awarded for the third time. 

  The event was attended by the representatives of Government of Georgia, LEPSs, diplomatic corps accredited in Georgia, NGOs and media.
• Inflation Rate in Georgia, August 2016

  In August 2016 the monthly inflation rate amounted to 0.4 percent in Georgia. Compared to the same month of previous year the Consumer Price Index change (annual inflation rate) posted a 0.9 percent increase. Compared to 2010 average the index rose 16.2 percent. The following table shows percentage changes in prices for the commodity groups of the consumer basket as well as the relevant contributions to the overall monthly inflation rate.
  The monthly inflation rate was mainly influenced by price changes for the following groups: In the reporting period monthly inflation rate was mainly formed by price increase for food and nonalcoholic beverages, which amounted to 1.4 percent and contributed 0.42 percentage points to the overall CPI change. Prices were substantially higher for fruit and grapes (13.7 percent), milk, cheese and eggs (3.0 percent) and vegetables (2.0 percent); Recreation and culture: prices for the group rose 0.9 percent. Consequently, its contribution to the overall inflation rate amounted to 0.06 percentage points. Price increases were mainly recorded for the subgroup of recreational and cultural services (1.1 percent); Prices were 0.7 percent lower for health, which resulted in a -0.07 percentage point contribution to the monthly inflation. Prices decreased for medical products, appliances and equipment (-2.6 percent).
  The annual inflation rate was mainly influenced by price changes for the following groups: Alcoholic beverages and tobacco: prices within the group rose 11.9 percent, contributing 0.73 percentage points to the overall inflation rate. Price growths were registered both for tobacco (19.7 percent) and alcoholic beverages (5.6 percent); Health: prices increased 3.3 percent, with the relevant contribution of 0.32 percentage points to the overall annual inflation. Price increases were recorded for out-patient services (8.2 percent) and hospital services (2.0 percent); Restaurants and hotels: prices for the group increased 4.6 percent and the group contributed 0.18 percentage points to the annual inflation rate. Prices were up for catering services (5.3 percent); In the reporting period prices for transport group decreased 7.7 percent, with an impact of -0.92 percentage points on the overall annual inflation rate. Prices were mainly down for purchase of vehicles (-16.5 percent) and operation of personal transport equipment (-12.2 percent).
  
  

• Rapid Estimates of Economic Growth, July 2016

  The estimated real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate amounted to 2.1 percent y-o-y in July 2016. The estimated real GDP growth in Q2 2016 equaled 3.1 percent y-o-y.
  The estimated real GDP growth for the first seven months of 2016 reached percent 2.7 y-o-y. Geostat produces monthly rapid estimations of real GDP growth using administrative data on VAT taxpayers’ turnover, fiscal and monetary statistics. The compilation of rapid estimates is an internationally adopted practice to obtain preliminary monthly growth of real GDP.
  For those sectors, where preliminary monthly data do not exist (e.g. agriculture, nonobserved economy etc.), the estimations are based on the data for previous periods. Therefore, the actual quarterly real GDP growth may significantly differ from monthly rapid estimates.
  Furthermore, the data on VAT taxpayers’ turnover for the previous months might be updated on a monthly basis, implying corresponding adjustments of real GDP growth estimates.
  for more details click: geostat.ge