Today news:

politics

NEW INVESTMENT AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED BETWEEN GEORGIA AND US IN AUTUMN 2009

Economic Development Minister Lasha Zhvania announces that new investment agreement will be signed in autumn 2009 in terms of the Strategic Partnership Charter signed between the US and Georgia.

As the Minister noted at today’s press conference, works on the agreement project are being held at this stage.

LABORISTS CRITICIZE INSURANCE PROGRAM FOR SOCIALLY DEPRIVED

One of the leaders of the Labor Party Kakha Dzagania criticized the insurance program for socially deprived at today’s briefing. Dzagania has pretensions to the insurance company Irao, which in its turn is denied in the company.

economics

AUTHORITIES PROMISE TO CREATE 30,000-35,000 NEW WORKING PLACES AS A RESULT OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVESTMENT PROJECTS

Economic Development Minister Lasha Zhvania promises that 30,000-35,000 new working places will be created in Georgia in the nearest future. Volume of the expected investments is named the reason of it.

BLITZ-SURVEY OF EXPERTS: FORECAST FOR 2009

Greatest part of experts, which took part in the blitz-survey held by Sarke, name negative influence of the financial world crisis on Georgian economy as the main economic problem. The greatest part of them notes that economic recession is inevitable in the country in 2009.

VOLUME OF INTERNATIONAL RESERVES MADE UP $1.48B IN THE END OF 2008

As National Bank of Georgia (NBG) reports, volume of official reserves made up $1.48 billion in the end of 2008, which exceeds previous year’s same figures ($1.36 billion) by nearly 9%.

Out of which reserves in foreign currency made up $1.47 billion instead of $1.35 billion.

VOLUME OF INVESTMENTS IN AJARA SHOULD MAKE UP 470-490M LARI 2009

Ajara government reports that volume of investments should make up 470-490 million lari in 2009.

Out of which, private sector accounts for 300 million lari.

NATURAL GAS TRANSIT TO ARMENIA IS RENEWED

Georgian Energy Ministry reports that transit of natural gas to Armenia (from Russia to Armenia via Georgia) was renewed on January 12. Transit was suspended because of the technical problems on January 9.

business

SAKARTVELOS BANKI TO PROVIDE BANKING SERVICE OF AJARA BUDGET EXPENSES

Ajara Finance and Economy Ministry reports that Sakartvelos Banki (Bank of Georgia) became the winner of the tender held these days, which envisaged provision of the banking service of Ajara budget.

As head of budget department of the Ministry Ramaz Bolkvadze told Sarke, the following banks took part in the tender: Basisbank, Sakartvelos Banki (Bank of Georgia), TBC Bank, VTB Bank Georgia, Standard Bank and TaoPrivate Bank.

TENDER IS ANNOUNCED ON BANKING SERVICE OF RUSTAVI BUDGET

Rustavi City Hall announced a tender on provision of the banking service of the Rustavi budget. The service should be implemented through the year 2009.

SAKHALKHO BANKI WILL AGAIN PROVIDE BANKING SERVICE OF SACHKHERE BUDGET EXPENSES

As Sachkhere Municipality informs, Sakhalkho Banki (People’s Bank) was announced the winner at the tender held these days, which envisaged provision of the banking service of Sachkhere (Imereti region) budget expenses.

The bank was rivaled by Sakartvelos Banki (Bank of Georgia), the municipality told Sarke.

IRAO TO INSURE CARS OF TBILISI CITY HALL

Tbilisi City Hall informs that the winner of the tender – Irao will provide one-year insurance service to City Hall’s cars.

The City Hall did not name other participants of the tender, however they noted that Irao was rivaled by 4 companies.

EBRD TO ALLOT $12M TO JSC POPULI

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) informs that it will allot $12 million to JSC Populi (supermarket chain).

The mentioned credit line will be used for development of JSC’s chain, which counts for 40 shops countrywide, EBRD announces.

AIR COMPANY SKY GEORGIA DELAYED PLANNED FLIGHTS TO AKTAU AND BUDAPEST UNTIL THE END OF MARCH

Air company SKY Georgia delayed flights to Aktau (Kazakhstan) and Budapest (Hungary), planned to start from December last year, until March 28. The company names several reasons of it.

BUYING BACK OF SHARES FROM MINOR SHAREHOLDERS OF ELECTRIC CARRIAGE REPAIR PLANT COULD NOT BE IMPLEMENTED

As it became known to Sarke, buying back of shares from minor shareholders of JSC Electric Carriage Repair Plant could not be implemented.

The matter concerned baying back of 0.63% (43,125 shares).

LLC CENTER SAKSOPLPROEKTI WAS NOT SOLD AGAIN

LLC Center Saksoplproekti, which belongs to JSC Gudauri was not sold (because of applications absence) at the fourth auction held these days. The object was priced at $1.5 million.

For further information:

Sarke