TODAY:

ANNUAL INFLATION IN MARCH WAS ON THE LEVEL OF MAY 2000

Georgian Statistics Department reports that annual inflation rate (change of consumer prices index compared with the same month of the previous year) made up 1.6% in MarcH. It should be mentioned that such low rate has not been fixed since May 2000 (1.1%).

DUTCH EXPERTS TO ASSIST 7 GEORGIAN WINEMAKERS TO ENTER EUROPEAN MARKET

Agency of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (CBI) announces that experts of the Agency will assist Georgian winemaking companies enter the European market. As it was announced at yesterday’s presentation of Georgian Chamber of Trade and Industry, 7 companies have been selected at this stage.

TBC BANK ATTRACTED $161M FROM INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

TBC Bank announced that International Finance Corporation (IFC), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO) will allot $161 million to this second largest bank in Georgia. The corresponding agreement was signed today.

DIA EUROPE TO HOLD CONSULTATIONS TO BASISBANK

Levan Gardapkhadze, director of retail banking of Basisbank, told Sarke that DIA Europe provides consulting service to the bank. DIA Europe, which is also the consultant of European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), started work in the Georgian bank in the end of March.

UGT PROVIDES BANK REPUBLIC WITH MAGNER MONEY COUNTING DEVICES

UGT (informational technologies field) reports that the company will provide bank Republic with currency counters of Magner. According to 1-year frame agreement, signed between Republic and UGT, delivery of devices will last until the end of April 2010.

1 GEORGIAN AND 15 FOREIGN AIR COMPANIES GOT PERMISSIONS FOR SUMMER PERIOD

United Transport Administration announces that 1 Georgian and 15 foreign air companies got flight permissions for the summer period (April-September). The only Georgian company, which got the permission, was Georgian Airways (former AirZena).

GEORGIAN AIRWAYS ACQUIRED BOEING-737

Air company Georgian Airways (former AirZena) told Sarke that it has acquired a new airplane – Boeing-737-700. The airplane will arrive from America by the end of April.

SWITCHING OF 10,000 CLIENTS TO DIGITAL NETWORK IS FINISHED IN VAKE

JSC United Telecom reports that the company already switched 10,000 clients in Tbilisi district Vake to digital network. Works in this district started from March 23 and will last until May 8.

REHABILITATION OF CHAVCHAVADZE STREET IN KUTAISI COST 1.4M LARI

Georgian Roads Department reports that 2.9-km section of Chavchavadze Street was opened today in Kutaisi. Rehabilitation works on the mentioned street cost 1.4 million lari.

COMMON PROPERTY OF JSC SAKTRACTOR AND JSC TRACTOR WAS NOT SOLD AGAIN

Bankruptcy manager of JSC Saktractor (Georgian Tractor) told Sarke that the auction on common property of JSC Saktractor and JSC Tractor has failed again. The property was auctioned at a reduced price – 3.26 million lari.

PROPERTY OF JSC GEORGIAN WOOL IS AUCTIONED AT 1.65M LARI

Tbilisi Regional Center of Incomes Service (Tax Inspection) of Georgian Finance Ministry brought to auction the property of JSC Georgian Wool. Starting price of the property makes up 1.65 million lari.

TWO SHIPS ARE AUCTIONED AGAIN AT A REDUCED PRICE

Financial Agency of Georgian Finance Ministry brought to auction 2 ships (seiner and dry cargo ship) again. The ships have been auctioned for the sixth time already.

For further information:

Sarke