Today, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili presented new Ministers of Economy and Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection and Agriculture. On the decision of the Head of Government, Vice Prime Minister Levan Davitashvili and Otar Shamugia are appointed as Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development and Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, respectively.
During today's briefing at the Administration of the Government, the Prime Minister thanked Natia Turnava, ex Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, for her work, pointing out that she remains a member of the team.
"Levan Davitashvili needs no introduction as he and his work are known to all. Levan has proved successful as Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture. Over the past 5 years, he has served the ministry, the country, his duties, and has implemented numerous important reforms. Now Levan is appointed Minister of Economy. With an educational background in economics, he is very knowledgeable and experienced, and I am convinced that he will make a successful Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development. At the same time, Levan will keep his position as Vice Prime Minister. As for Ms. Natia Turnava, on behalf of the Government and my own, I would like to thank her for her work. She has implemented many important activities throughout her 3-year tenure. Natia has been and remains a member of our team. She has her plans, visions, and aspirations that she will describe herself a little later. I would like to thank her once again and wish her success," the Prime Minister said.
The Head of Government also presented Otar Shamugia as new Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture. Shamugia, with his experience of working at the ministry for 16 years, has firsthand knowledge of the needs of agriculture and environmental protection.
"As for the new Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, I present to you Mr. Otar Shamugia, formerly Deputy Minister under Levan Davitashvili. Allow me to single out a few important details about Mr. Shamugia. Otar is a refugee from Sokhumi, born and raised in Sokhumi. As a refugee, he has lived in Zugdidi and Tbilisi, eventually succeeding thanks to his honest, diligent work. Otar has served in the ministry for 16 years. He knows exactly what is necessary for agriculture and environmental protection. Once again, I wish success to our new Ministers. Now our primary task is to develop the economy, overcome poverty, and create jobs. In this direction, I am working hard together with our economic team, and we will present many innovations to the public," the Prime Minister said.

The newly appointed Ministers thanked the Prime Minister for his trust. Natia Turnava briefly summarized her work as Minister of Economy, promising the public to announce her plans in near future.

Press Service of the Government Administration

Investment in the volume of 180 MLN USD will significantly facilitate development of the water supply system and qualitative improvement of its management. It was stated by Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia at an online meeting with Felix Parra Mediavilla, Executive Director of Aqualia and Irakli Gilauri, Chairman and Chief Executive of Georgia Capital today.

The Head of Government of Georgia expressed his gratitude to investors for their demonstrated trust.

Aqualia, being a world leader with an HQ in Spain, has thus become an official strategic investor and partner of Georgia Global Utilities (GGU) - a daughter company of Georgia Capital. Aqualia invested 180 MLN USD by acquiring 80% of Georgian Water and Power. Georgia Capital continues to own 20% in the utility company.

Online meeting was focused on the close relations between Spain and Georgia. According to Irakli Garibashvili, Georgia is a reliable and stable business partner.

The Prime Minister of Georgia noted that the economy of the country grew by 10.6% in 2021. According to him, Georgia has undergone a significant transformation in the last decade and has been advancing fast to a more liberal and free market economy with one of the lowest tax rates in the world and readily-available access to public services.

Advancing positions of Georgia in leading global ratings, due to ease of doing business and economic freedom, were highlighted at the meeting.

Focus was made on the EU-Georgia Association Agreement (AA), along with a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) and Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with China, EFTA nations, Ukraine, Turkey and CIS countries, which let the investors gain exposure to multi-million consumer markets through Georgia. In addition, Irakli Garibashvili noted that the Government of Georgia makes huge investments in land, marine and railroad infrastructure to position the country as a regional hub of trade and logistics.

Press Service of the Government Administration

Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia has been confirmed with the Omicron strain of the novel Coronavirus. The Head of Government feels well and continues to work remotely.

The Head of Government of Georgia is fully vaccinated. Lab test was confirmed as part of the routine monitoring.

Press Service of the Government Administration

Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia met Peter Spuhler, Owner and President of the Board of Directors of Stadler Rail AG, being a world leader of train manufacturing incorporated and operating in Switzerland.

Focus at the meeting today was focused on the cooperation between the Government of Georgia and Stadler Rail AG. Projects anticipated by the largest manufacturing in Georgia were discussed. Stadler Rail AG plans explore opportunities for building train manufacturing in Georgia, which will predominantly focus on the production and maintenance of trains.

It was noted that the Government of Georgia will provide greatest support for the referred investment.

The favourable business environment existing in Georgia was highlighted at the meeting, along with current and future reforms that are implemented in the country. Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) were also referred to, as they are concluded with the EU, China and countries of the region. It enables Georgia to gain access to a number of large markets. At the same time, the role of Georgia was noted as a regional transit hub and prospects of development towards this end.

Meeting held at the Government Administration was attended by Matthias Stoehr, Marketing and Sales Director of Stadler Rail AG; H.E. Heidi Grau, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Switzerland to Georgia; David Peradze, Director General of JSC Georgian Railway; Koka Guntsadze, Chairman of the Supervisory Council of JSC Georgian Railway; Dachi Tsaguria, Director of Branch Network and Passenger Transportation at JSC Georgian Railway.

Press Service of the Government Administration

Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia met H.E. Fatma Ceren Yazgan, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Georgia today.

Discussion was focused on the strategic partnership between the two countries and positive trend of bilateral relations.

One of the topics discussed by the dignitaries was the opening of the Turkish sales market and import of high-quality medication with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) to Georgia, which will significantly and quickly drop prices on the pharmaceutical products in Georgia.

It was highlighted that current regional projects between Georgia and Turkey serve as a vivid example of effective strategic cooperation, solid development and reliable partnership, which thereby leads to greater economic freedom, security and sustainability. Prime Minister of Georgia noted that effective regional cooperation with neighbouring countries is in fact a road leading to security, stability and sustainable development.

Readiness was expressed towards further deepening cooperation, including towards political and economic directions.

Attention at the meeting was paid to the upcoming session of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council. Future steps to be made towards concluding a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by and between Georgia and Republic of Turkey were also discussed at the meeting.

It was noted that joint efforts have acquired tremendous importance in addressing the challenges borne by the pandemic and hopes were expressed that close cooperation between Georgia and Turkey will remain high in the agenda in the fight against the novel coronavirus.

Irakli Garibashvili expressed his gratitude to the Turkish side for the solid support of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia. The Head of Government of Georgia highlighted the significant contribution of the Madam Ambassador in developing the bilateral relations between the two countries.

Press Service of the Government Administration

I wish to let our society know how we completed the past budget year and what are the key macroeconomic and fiscal parameters of 2021, irrespective of the challenges borne by the global pandemic that the country faced in 2021. It was stated by Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia at the Executive Government Meeting today.

As the Head of Government of Georgia noted, the State Budget for 2021 was planned at the end of 2020 - in the most difficult circumstances in terms of epidemic and economic conditions. Hence, expectation of the economic recovery in 2021 was rather marginal.

"Economic growth projections reached 4.3% back then. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was projected in the volume of 53.4 BLN GEL. Government Debt was projected above 60 percent of the GDP, while the consolidated budget deficit was forecasted to reach 7.6% of GDP.

2021 started at a quite difficult note: economic shortfall reached 11.5 percent in January. We were actually in the lock-down regime with a very high viral spread and unfortunate losses of human lives.

Nevertheless, the situation changed radically from March-April, when an economic growth indicator first turned positive in March and then reached an unprecedentedly high indicator in April at 44.8%. Foreign trade and other economic indicators started to improve quickly from the same period.

According to the preliminary data for the first 11 months of the year, economic growth reached 10.7% and the overall annual indicator is expected to get to 10.7%, which is 2.5 times higher compared to the original projection.

As a result of the high economic growth, nominal indicators of the GDP have increased considerably and reached 59.6 BLN GEL in updated projections compared to the originally forecasted 53.4 BLN GEL.

According to the overall data for the first 11 months of the year, export has grown by 26.7 percent, including the local export - by 28.7 percent; proceeds from tourism have increased by 112 percent compared to the previous year and exceeded the respective indicator of 2019 by 37 percent. It should be noted that since July, proceeds from tourism exceed 50 percent of the respective month in 2019 (55% in November); Net remittances in the first 11 months of the year increased by 25.4 percent. Current account deficit in the first 3 quarters of the year improved by 2.1 percentage points of GDP, including the improvement by 6.1 percentage points in Q3. We expect the annual current account deficit to be reduced to 10.5 percent in 2021, while returning to 5 percent over a medium-term" stated the Head of Government of Georgia.

As the Prime Minister of Georgia noted, economic recovery has enabled the Government to substantially improve the key fiscal parameters.

"Quick economic recovery has enabled us to substantially improve the key fiscal parameters and namely Government Debt has been reduced to 50% instead of the anticipated 60.1% as a share of GDP, while the consolidated budget deficit was originally planned to reach 7.6% and instead narrowed to 6.1% as a share of GDP. Thus, I once again wish to wrap-up by saying that we reached a double-digit economic growth in 2021" concluded Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia.

Press Service of the Government Administration

Zurab Azarashvili, Deputy Defence Minister, has been appointed Georgia’s Health Minister on Monday, replacing Ekaterine Tikaradze in the post.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has presented the new Health Minister, stressing his “strong managerial skills.”

Zurab Azarashvili served as Director-General of State Military Scientific-Technical Center Delta and Director-General of Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing. He has a Master’s degree in Business Administration.

PM Garibashvili thanked the outgoing Minister for her work and wished her success.

Ekaterine Tikaradze announced her resignation on December 9, 2021.

Source: https://1tv.ge/en/news/zurab-azarashvili-appointed-georgian-health-minister/

Interaction between our people has a long history, similar to the political and economic relations existing between Georgia and Armenia. It was announced by Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia at a face to face meeting with Nikol Pashinyan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia in Tbilisi today.

The Head of Government of Georgia stressed the significance of the visit paid by his Armenian colleague in relation with the Inter-Governmental Economic Cooperation Commission, thereby noting that this format was resumed after a gap of several years with a personal engagement of Nikol Pashinyan, which again evidences the productive cooperation advanced to the highest - Prime Ministerial - level.

It was also noted at the meeting that the Inter-Governmental Commission facilitates the advancement of economic and political ties between Georgia and Armenia.

Dignitaries focused their discussions on the current situation in the region and significance of joint efforts in addressing the current challenges.

Irakli Garibashvili noted that Peaceful Neighbourhood Initiative voiced at the General Assembly of the United Nations (UNGA) is aimed at the stimulation of peace and stability in the region, as democratic development, strong public institutions, open and transparent governance, economic progress can only be achieved in the conditions of peace and regional stability.

Face to face meeting of the Georgian and Armenian Prime Ministers was held at the Government Administration prior to the meeting of the Inter-Governmental Economic Cooperation Council.

Press Service of the Government Administration

Today's Cabinet session, chaired by Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili at the Government Administration, discussed 14 issues on its meeting agenda.
On the Georgian Government's decision, a section of Mtskheta Municipality territory, namely 232635.00 m² in the village of Tserovani, will enjoy a status of a specially regulated and industrial/economic zone, with a view to fostering the construction of international standard B category logistics park. This project, to be implemented by Tushi Collection LLC, seeks to build a logistics park on 60,000 m². The project encompasses 6 warehouses and infrastructure for office spaces/hotels and bus stations.
In addition, under the Georgian Tea state program for rehabilitating tea plantations, tea will be grown annually on 2 plots with a combined agricultural area of 108.07 ha in the village of Dedalauri, Khoni Municipality. To that end, on the Government's decision, these parcels will be handed over to the designated tea producing company for 25 years, with the right to lease.

Press Service of the Government Administration

Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia held a festive reception for ambassadors and resident representatives of international organisations accredited in Georgia right before the New Year.

The Head of Government of Georgia expressed his gratitude to the diplomatic corps for their friendship with Georgia and Georgian people.

Irakli Garibashvili noted that the Government of Georgia highly appreciates the support demonstrated by them and their respective countries inter alia during the pandemic.

"On behalf of my government and the people of Georgia, let me thank you for everything you have been doing for our country and people" said the Head of Government of Georgia to diplomats.

Official reception was also attended by the members of the Government of Georgia.

Press Service of the Government Administration