TODAY:

politics

THE PARLIAMENT APPROVED NEW PRIME MISTER AND THE GOVERNMENT

Georgian Parliament adopted candidacy of Nika Gilauri at the post of the Prime Minister and passed a vote of confidence to the governemnt and its program at today’s plenary sitting. 116 deputies passed registration today, 106 voted “pro”, 8 “contra”.

economics

IMF REPRESENTATIVE FORECASTS HEAVY SITUATION IN GEORGIAN ECONOMIC IN 2009

Masood Ahmed, director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), forecasts hard economic situation in Georgia in 2009, which is not expected to recover until 2010. Implementation of consistent policy and protection of the most vulnerable groups is important during the period of transition, Masood Ahmed announced today in Tbilisi, while discussing current processes in the global economy.

ANNUAL INFLATION RATE MADE UP 4.4% BY THE STATE OF JANUARY

Georgian Statistics Department reports that, according to results of January 2009, annual inflation rate made up 4.4%. It should be mentioned that such low rate has not been fixed since March 2006 (4.6%).

NBG SOLD OVER $83M IN JANUARY

Tbilisi Interbank Currency Exchange (TICEX) reports that National Bank of Georgia (NBG) sold $83.23 million in January 2009. During a month, NBG bought $26.48 million.

INDUSTRY, CONSTRUCTION AND TRADE ACCOUNTED FOR 79.6% OF LEGAL ENTITIES’ CREDITING IN 2008

National Bank of Georgia (NBG) reports that three branches (industry, construction and trade) accounted for 79.6% of the total volume of legal entities’ crediting. Trade accounted for the biggest share in legal entities’ crediting – 47.1%.

OIL-PRODUCTS PRODUCERS, CONSUMERS AND IMPORTERS UNION FORECASTS REDUCTION OF BUDGET REVENUE FROM OIL BUSINESS

Oil-Products Producers, Consumers and Importers Union forecasts reduction of budget revenue from oil business in 2009. The Union names sharply reduced price, which automatically causes reduction of budget payments as VAT, as the reason.

business

LLC AIR WISSOL TO OPEN A NEW OIL TERMINAL IN SAMTREDIA IN FEBRUARY

A new oil terminal will be opened in Samtredia (Imereti region) in February, told Sarke director of LLC Air Wissol Avtandil Rodonaia. Petroleum storage depot of the terminal will supply airports of the western Georgia (Batumi, Kutaisi and Poti).

SASCO’S SALES DROPPED IN 2008

Construction company Sasco told Sarke that sales reduced 10 times in 2008 compared with the previous year. The company explains the drop by the financial crisis, which resulted in non-stable situation connected with issuing of credits by banks and reduction of the demand on flats.

UNITED TELECOM TO START SWITCHING INTERNET USERS IN FIBER-OPTIC NETWORK THROUGHOUT TBILISI BY THE END OF THE YEAR

As JSC United Telecom announces, access to internet through fiber-optic network should be available in all the districts of Tbilisi by the end of the year. The project is implemented by the United Telecom and its daughter internet service provider Wanex.

UNITED TELECOM TO START MASTERING 14XXXX INDEX THESE DAYS

JSC United Telecom reports that the company will start mastering of 14XXXX index from February 15. JSC acquired license for the mentioned numeration resource (10,000 numbers) in September 2008, paying 21,000 lari.

MAXIMAL OFFERS PORTABLE WIRELESS MODEM FREE OF CHARGE

LLC VTEL Georgia informs that from February Maximal (company’s brand) offers wireless modems (PC Card) to its clients free of charge. Through this modem notebook users may access WiMAX network of Maximal (Tbilisi, Batumi, Poti and Rustavi).

PROPERTY OF AGROINVESTBANK WAS NOT SOLD AGAIN

Financial Supervision Agency reported that today’s auction on property of Agroinvestbank, which is in liquidation regime, failed again because of applications absence. The date of the next auction was not named at this stage.

society

ACTUAL TOPIC: UNEMPLOYMENT AND EMPLOYMENT

Sarke offers the first publication of the rubric “Actual Topic”, which is dedicated to the problem of unemployment and employment. Elguja Meladze, chairman of Georgian Employers’ Association, is our respondent.

MICROBIOLOGICAL COMPOSITION WAS VIOLATED IN 7 OUT OF 12 BRANDS OF COFFEE ON THE LOCAL MARKET

Madona Koidze, Chairman of Georgian Consumers’ Federation, announced that violations of microbiological composition were found in 7 out of 12 brands of coffee, which are sold on the local consumer market. Out of these 7 brands, dangerous for health are only 2, produced in Armenia (neither the producer company, nor the name of the coffee is pointed at the label).

For further information:

Sarke