- Civil Georgia:

* April 27, 2010 | 01:55

MPs Say Ready for ’Broad Discussions on Circassian Genocide’

Ruling party lawmaker said "it’s necessary to broaden scope of discussions on the matter."

http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=22231

* April 26, 2010 | 18:43

Ugulava Launches Formal Campaign for Re-Election

Saakashvili: mayoral race not “a launch pad for change of the government.”

http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=22228

* April 26, 2010 | 15:05

Fake TV Report-Related Phone Recording Examined

Alliance for Georgia-commissioned London-based firm has examine the recording.

http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=22230

* April 26, 2010 | 11:54

Georgian PM Visits Jordan

PM Gilauri plans a meeting with his Jordanian counterpart Samir Rafai.

http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=22229

* April 24, 2010 | 16:33

Georgia’s Foreign Trade Up 15% in Q1

The foreign trade turnover was USD 1.36 billion, statistics office said.

http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=22226

> For further information: Civil Georgia

- Parliament of Georgia:

The Parliament of Georgia issued its weekly news report.

> For further information: Parliament of Georgia

- Sarke:

* politics

THE PARLIAMENT MAY STOP WORKING BEFORE THE LOCAL ELECTIONS

Speaker of the Parliament David Bakradze announced that deputies suggested stopping work of legislative body 1 month before the local elections. The elections will be held on May 30.

GEORGIA AND JORDAN TO SIGN AGREEMENT ON TRADE-ECONOMICAL COOPERATION

Georgian Prime Minister Nika Gilauri left for Jordan on 1-day visit today, the government’s press office reported. An agreement on trade-economical cooperation between Georgia and Jordan should be signed in the frame of his visit.

* economics

MORE THAN 60% OF EXPORT FROM GEORGIA TO TURKEY ACCOUNTED FOR METAL SCRAP, FERROALLOY AND FERTILIZERS

Georgian Statistics Department reports that Georgian export to Turkey in the 1st quarter made up $53 million (year-on-year increase – 51%). Out of total, 60.4% accounted for scrap metal, ferroalloy and fertilizers.

CARS REMAIN MAJOR EXPORT ARTICLE FROM GEORGIA TO AZERBAIJAN

Sakstat (GeoStat) reports that export from Georgia to Azerbaijan amounted to 446.2 million in the 1st quarter (growth – 38.1%, if compared to the same period of the previous year).

Cars remained major export article from Georgia to Azerbaijan – $21.9 million, i.e. 47.4% of total export to this country (growth – 2.6 times).

64% OF GEORGIAN EXPORT TO UKRAINE ACCOUNTED FOR ETHYL ALCOHOL, MINERAL WATER AND WINE

Sakstat reports that in the 1st quarter of 2010, Georgian export to Ukraine amounted to $20.4 million, increasing by 25.6% if compared to the same period of 2009. At that, ethyl alcohol, mineral waters and wine accounted for 64% of total export.

SPEAKER OF THE PARLIAMENT: CREDIT ISSUING TO INCREASE IN BANKING SECTOR, WHILE INTEREST RATES TO DECLINE

Speaker of the Parliament Davit Bakradze assures that credit issuing will increase in the banking sector, while interest rates will decline. He announced this today, after meeting with representatives of the banking sector.

* business

3 COMPANIES GOT INTERESTED IN CONSTRUCTION OF HES’ CASCADES ON ACHARISTSKALI RIVER

According to the Georgian Ministry of Energy, three companies got interested in construction of series of hydroelectric stations (HES) on Acharistskali River in Ajara. Deadline for application submission expired on April 23.

ABOUT 15% OF EBRD’S FUND IS USED WITHIN ITS ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECT

According to the energy efficiency project, about 15% of $35 million, allotted by EBRD, is spent for the moment.

TBC Bank, Cartu and Republic are involved in this project.

TBC BANK’S PROFIT IN JANUARY-MARCH MADE UP 4.36M LARI

TBC Bank reported profit of 4.36 million lari for the 1st quarter, increasing the figure 5.5 times year-on-year. In the reporting period, TBC Bank accounted for 30% of Georgian banking sector’s total profit (15.34 million lari).

HEIDELBERGBETON GEORGIA LAUNCHED SECOND PLANT

LLC HeidelbergBeton Georgia (a member of German group of HeidelbergCement) has opened a new concrete-mixing plant in Gldani (outskirts of Tbilisi), which cost the company 2 million EUR. This is already the second plant in Tbilisi (first one, opened is in April 2009, is located in Ponichala).

LICENSE FOR DETRITUS EXTRACTION IN UJARMA WAS SOLD FOR 93,895 LARI

Economic Development Ministry reported that license for detritus extraction in Ujarma (Sagarejo district of Kakheti region) was sold for 93,895 lari on today’s auction. The starting price was 85,359 lari.

> For further information: Sarke