🇬🇪🚆🇦🇿 Investments in the expansion project of the Georgian part of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway will exceed $100 million.
"The need to expand the Georgian part of the BTK is due to the growing volumes of cargo transportation through Azerbaijan," President Ilham Aliyev said. The project is expected to be completed in 2023.
ℹ️ The Azerbaijani leader flew to Tbilisi in autumn and held many hours of talks with Prime Minister Garibavshili. As a result, serious economic statements have been made lately. In particular, in addition to the expansion of the railway, it was reported about the development of a project for the construction of a terminal for liquefied natural gas (LNG) for its subsequent export to the EU countries.
"The need to expand the Georgian part of the BTK is due to the growing volumes of cargo transportation through Azerbaijan," President Ilham Aliyev said. The project is expected to be completed in 2023.
ℹ️ The Azerbaijani leader flew to Tbilisi in autumn and held many hours of talks with Prime Minister Garibavshili. As a result, serious economic statements have been made lately. In particular, in addition to the expansion of the railway, it was reported about the development of a project for the construction of a terminal for liquefied natural gas (LNG) for its subsequent export to the EU countries.
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📈💨❗️Tbilisi topped last week's ranking of cities with the most polluted air.
For several days, visible air pollution has been observed in the Georgian capital. In the districts of Vera, Vake, Chugureti, the air quality index is more than 160, in Saburtalo 136. According to these average annual indicators, Tbilisi is second only to Indian Delhi and Lahore from Pakistan. The average concentration of harmful PM2.5 particles in 2021 is 4.2 times higher than the WHO recommended air quality value. With such indicators, it is recommended to wear a mask, do not engage in physical activity outdoors, close windows at home and use an air purifier.
❗️Experts talk about two factors: the burning of leaves and grass in the vicinity of the city + the negative impact of the polluting malfunctioning transport associated with Black Friday.
📲 Air quality in Tbilisi online here:
https://www.iqair.com/georgia/t-bilisi/tbilisi
For several days, visible air pollution has been observed in the Georgian capital. In the districts of Vera, Vake, Chugureti, the air quality index is more than 160, in Saburtalo 136. According to these average annual indicators, Tbilisi is second only to Indian Delhi and Lahore from Pakistan. The average concentration of harmful PM2.5 particles in 2021 is 4.2 times higher than the WHO recommended air quality value. With such indicators, it is recommended to wear a mask, do not engage in physical activity outdoors, close windows at home and use an air purifier.
❗️Experts talk about two factors: the burning of leaves and grass in the vicinity of the city + the negative impact of the polluting malfunctioning transport associated with Black Friday.
📲 Air quality in Tbilisi online here:
https://www.iqair.com/georgia/t-bilisi/tbilisi
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🙈 One of the most recognizable landmarks of Tbilisi, the concert hall "Pitchers of Rike", will again be looking for owners.
Businessman David Khidasheli, who bought them in March of this year for 10 million lari ($3.5 million), said that he intended to sell all his family's property in Georgia:
"Because the legislation is weak and vulnerable, the winner of an open tender cannot protect himself from unreasonable attacks and fraud."
❗️According to the businessman, until December 31, everyone will be able to purchase 50% of his family's property at a 20% discount.
ℹ️ According to the terms of the auction, the future owner of the object was obliged to equip museums of wine, digital art and technology, as well as exhibition and conference spaces within 36 months. The construction of the complex began in 2011 at the initiative of former President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili. $25 million was allocated for the project. Inside there is a 566-seat concert hall and spaces for temporary exhibitions, but none of the rooms have ever been used until now.
Businessman David Khidasheli, who bought them in March of this year for 10 million lari ($3.5 million), said that he intended to sell all his family's property in Georgia:
"Because the legislation is weak and vulnerable, the winner of an open tender cannot protect himself from unreasonable attacks and fraud."
❗️According to the businessman, until December 31, everyone will be able to purchase 50% of his family's property at a 20% discount.
ℹ️ According to the terms of the auction, the future owner of the object was obliged to equip museums of wine, digital art and technology, as well as exhibition and conference spaces within 36 months. The construction of the complex began in 2011 at the initiative of former President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili. $25 million was allocated for the project. Inside there is a 566-seat concert hall and spaces for temporary exhibitions, but none of the rooms have ever been used until now.
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❗️🌊 Part of the embankment was washed away in Batumi due to a storm.
In the area of the water park the boulevard, lighting masts and shopping stalls collapsed. The sea washed away benches and street structures. The sports ground was damaged.
In the area of the water park the boulevard, lighting masts and shopping stalls collapsed. The sea washed away benches and street structures. The sports ground was damaged.
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🎄 New Year's fairs and festivals in Tbilisi.
December is upon us, which means Christmas, New Year and other holidays are coming soon! You don't have a festive winter mood? We tell you where in the first half of December, you will find both it and a variety of gifts and holiday attributes. Mark it in your diaries.
🎅 IWAG Winter Fair
The annual charity Winter Fair will be held at the prestigious Sheraton Hotel. At the fair, you will be able to meet a large selection of goods from all over the world, presented by embassies of different countries.
In addition, this will be accompanied by a large food court with cuisines of the world and a choir singing Christmas songs.
🗓 December 3, from 10:00 to 18:00
⛄️ New Year's Fair in Dedaena Park
A pre-New Year fair will be held in Dedaena Park, in which more than 100 entrepreneurs from all over the country will take part.
At the fair, you can have fun and buy local products as a gift or for the New Year's table.
🗓 December 4 from 13:00 to 19:00
🤶 New Year Chocolate Festival
At the festival in the Tbilisi Botanical Garden, you will meet New Year characters, DIY gift workshops and much more!
In addition, the festival will host a fair, which will present a variety of chocolate products, hot chocolate and drinks.
🗓 3 and 4 December from 13:00 to 20:00
🎁 New Year's Book Festival at Expo Georgia
The festival combines the New Year's Book Festival and the Children's Book Festival.
New Year's Book Festival includes a book fair and New Year's gifts, as well as children's events on the main stage of the festival!
🗓 December 16-18
🔽 Do you know about other similar events or festivals? Write in the comments.
❗️We will make a separate selection about Batumi.
December is upon us, which means Christmas, New Year and other holidays are coming soon! You don't have a festive winter mood? We tell you where in the first half of December, you will find both it and a variety of gifts and holiday attributes. Mark it in your diaries.
🎅 IWAG Winter Fair
The annual charity Winter Fair will be held at the prestigious Sheraton Hotel. At the fair, you will be able to meet a large selection of goods from all over the world, presented by embassies of different countries.
In addition, this will be accompanied by a large food court with cuisines of the world and a choir singing Christmas songs.
🗓 December 3, from 10:00 to 18:00
⛄️ New Year's Fair in Dedaena Park
A pre-New Year fair will be held in Dedaena Park, in which more than 100 entrepreneurs from all over the country will take part.
At the fair, you can have fun and buy local products as a gift or for the New Year's table.
🗓 December 4 from 13:00 to 19:00
🤶 New Year Chocolate Festival
At the festival in the Tbilisi Botanical Garden, you will meet New Year characters, DIY gift workshops and much more!
In addition, the festival will host a fair, which will present a variety of chocolate products, hot chocolate and drinks.
🗓 3 and 4 December from 13:00 to 20:00
🎁 New Year's Book Festival at Expo Georgia
The festival combines the New Year's Book Festival and the Children's Book Festival.
New Year's Book Festival includes a book fair and New Year's gifts, as well as children's events on the main stage of the festival!
🗓 December 16-18
🔽 Do you know about other similar events or festivals? Write in the comments.
❗️We will make a separate selection about Batumi.
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📈🇬🇪💰Tourism revenue in 2022 is 183% more than the previous pandemic 2021 and exceeded the pre-Covid 2019.
By the end of this year, Georgia's tourism income will exceed $3 billion. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic. These figures were announced by the Deputy Minister of Economy of Georgia (and the former head of the national tourism agency) Mariam Kvrivishvili at a meeting of the executive committee of the UN World Tourism Organization. She noted that Georgia has managed to fully restore the profit margins in the tourism sector that existed before the pandemic. “This indicator directly affects the creation of new jobs and the improvement of the well-being of local residents,” stated Kvrivishvili.
ℹ️ Between January and October 2022, more than 4.3 million tourist trips were made to Georgia. Most often, foreign citizens come to Georgia from Russia, Turkey and Armenia, and the flow of tourists from the countries of the Persian Gulf has also noticeably increased.
By the end of this year, Georgia's tourism income will exceed $3 billion. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic. These figures were announced by the Deputy Minister of Economy of Georgia (and the former head of the national tourism agency) Mariam Kvrivishvili at a meeting of the executive committee of the UN World Tourism Organization. She noted that Georgia has managed to fully restore the profit margins in the tourism sector that existed before the pandemic. “This indicator directly affects the creation of new jobs and the improvement of the well-being of local residents,” stated Kvrivishvili.
ℹ️ Between January and October 2022, more than 4.3 million tourist trips were made to Georgia. Most often, foreign citizens come to Georgia from Russia, Turkey and Armenia, and the flow of tourists from the countries of the Persian Gulf has also noticeably increased.
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💃🕺In the summer of 2023, Georgia will host world-class artists and musicians.
Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili spoke about this at a government meeting. According to him, the performances will take place at Adjarian Black Sea Arena, Tbilisi and Batumi stadiums. The Prime Minister has not yet announced the names of those with whom negotiations are underway, but announced that 70 million lari ($25.6 million) have been allocated for this.
Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili spoke about this at a government meeting. According to him, the performances will take place at Adjarian Black Sea Arena, Tbilisi and Batumi stadiums. The Prime Minister has not yet announced the names of those with whom negotiations are underway, but announced that 70 million lari ($25.6 million) have been allocated for this.
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🇹🇷🛍➡️🇬🇪 Interest in Turkish online stores has grown in Georgia: they are closer than the US and China, the assortment is quite large, and the prices are competitive and often even lower.
According to the data of the Georgian Revenue Service, for 10 months of 2022, the number of parcels worth up to 300 GEL (this is the duty-free threshold for parcels, above 300 GEL you need to pay an 18% tax) issued from Turkey increased by almost 5 times than in the whole of 2021. Their total cost, at the same time, increased by 3.6 times. In terms of the number of duty-free orders in 2022, Turkey ranked first and significantly outperformed China and the United States in this category. According to Camex Business Development Director Gigi Seturidze, the Turkish route was offered to customers only in the spring of 2022, but in the first four months there was such an increase in volumes that, in the case of China, took two years.
🗣 Users interviewed by journalists compare a number of products:
📍 "baby wash gel, moisturizer, diaper cream and other hygiene products cost 180 GEL, while on Trendyol they are sold exactly two times cheaper, from 90 GEL"
📍 "one pack of tampons in Tbilisi costs 13.90 GEL, but three packs can be ordered from Turkey at the same price"
📍 “Large knitted jumpers on Turkish sites can be bought for 20-30 GEL. Whereas their average price in Georgian stores is 80 GEL”
📍 “In Turkey, 1 kilogram of pistachios cost 180 lira, so with delivery it turned out to be about 40 lari. And if you compare to the Carrefour network - one kilogram costs about 90 GEL”
ℹ️ For those who interested, I can recommend: Inex, Camex, Turketidan, Trendyol.
According to the data of the Georgian Revenue Service, for 10 months of 2022, the number of parcels worth up to 300 GEL (this is the duty-free threshold for parcels, above 300 GEL you need to pay an 18% tax) issued from Turkey increased by almost 5 times than in the whole of 2021. Their total cost, at the same time, increased by 3.6 times. In terms of the number of duty-free orders in 2022, Turkey ranked first and significantly outperformed China and the United States in this category. According to Camex Business Development Director Gigi Seturidze, the Turkish route was offered to customers only in the spring of 2022, but in the first four months there was such an increase in volumes that, in the case of China, took two years.
🗣 Users interviewed by journalists compare a number of products:
📍 "baby wash gel, moisturizer, diaper cream and other hygiene products cost 180 GEL, while on Trendyol they are sold exactly two times cheaper, from 90 GEL"
📍 "one pack of tampons in Tbilisi costs 13.90 GEL, but three packs can be ordered from Turkey at the same price"
📍 “Large knitted jumpers on Turkish sites can be bought for 20-30 GEL. Whereas their average price in Georgian stores is 80 GEL”
📍 “In Turkey, 1 kilogram of pistachios cost 180 lira, so with delivery it turned out to be about 40 lari. And if you compare to the Carrefour network - one kilogram costs about 90 GEL”
ℹ️ For those who interested, I can recommend: Inex, Camex, Turketidan, Trendyol.
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1️⃣5️⃣ - 🏦 The National Bank of Georgia has issued the 15th commercial bank license and the first digital bank license to Paysera Georgia.
According to the NBG, the first 4 months JSC CB "Paysera Georgia" will work in a test mode. The regulator emphasized that the new player will not have branches and service centers in Georgia and will work on the basis of a digital service model. Subsequently, two customer service centers will appear in Tbilisi, but most services will be provided remotely. The bank will support SEPA and SEPA Instant payments, which means that most transfers from Georgia to Europe will reach recipients in seconds. The bank will begin working in early 2023. Former Minister of Economy of Georgia Dmitry Kumsishvili became the General Director of JSC CB "Paysera Georgia".
ℹ️ The history of Paysera began in 2004 in Lithuania as a platform for collecting online payments. Over time, the portfolio of services has grown, and Paysera has grown into an international network of fintech companies, uniting companies in nine countries.
According to the NBG, the first 4 months JSC CB "Paysera Georgia" will work in a test mode. The regulator emphasized that the new player will not have branches and service centers in Georgia and will work on the basis of a digital service model. Subsequently, two customer service centers will appear in Tbilisi, but most services will be provided remotely. The bank will support SEPA and SEPA Instant payments, which means that most transfers from Georgia to Europe will reach recipients in seconds. The bank will begin working in early 2023. Former Minister of Economy of Georgia Dmitry Kumsishvili became the General Director of JSC CB "Paysera Georgia".
ℹ️ The history of Paysera began in 2004 in Lithuania as a platform for collecting online payments. Over time, the portfolio of services has grown, and Paysera has grown into an international network of fintech companies, uniting companies in nine countries.
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🇬🇧🇬🇪 British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called on Russia to withdraw recognition of the independence of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, as well as to ensure unhindered access to humanitarian aid there.
That's how he responded to a congratulatory letter from Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili. Sunak emphasized that “the United Kingdom stands by Georgia in the face of ongoing Russian aggression. We firmly support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within internationally recognized borders”.
That's how he responded to a congratulatory letter from Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili. Sunak emphasized that “the United Kingdom stands by Georgia in the face of ongoing Russian aggression. We firmly support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within internationally recognized borders”.
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🏳️🌈 An event that was hard to imagine happened in Georgia: one of the symbols of the country, the communication tower on Mtatsminda, lit up in rainbow colors.
The mayor's office of the capital explained this by participation in the project "Covenant of Mayors - Eastern Partnership", which is celebrating its 10th anniversary. This project implements the programs of ecology, energy efficiency and observance of human rights.
The mayor's office of the capital explained this by participation in the project "Covenant of Mayors - Eastern Partnership", which is celebrating its 10th anniversary. This project implements the programs of ecology, energy efficiency and observance of human rights.
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🔌🚫💡The largest hydroelectric power plant in the Caucasus, Inguri, may soon generate only a minimal amount of electricity.
This was stated by the general director of the HPP Levan Mebonia. According to him, as soon as the water level in the reservoir drops below 413 m (which is very likely), “water will no longer enter the tunnel and production will be reduced by five times.” This means that "Abkhazia will be forced to introduce a strict schedule for the supply of electricity if it cannot agree with Moscow on the supply of electricity from Russia." Both the drought and the growing consumption of electricity in Abkhazia influences the lowering of the water level.
The HPP is of systemic importance for the Georgian energy sector and vital for the population of Abkhazia. “Of the volume of electricity currently being generated, 80% of the electricity is taken by the Abkhazian side, and the remaining 20% by Georgia,” the plant's general director emphasized.
📵 Cryptominers are also one of the problems: over the past five years, they have generated about $ 1 billion from electricity taken from Georgia. At the same time, they did not pay anything for electricity in Abkhazia.
This was stated by the general director of the HPP Levan Mebonia. According to him, as soon as the water level in the reservoir drops below 413 m (which is very likely), “water will no longer enter the tunnel and production will be reduced by five times.” This means that "Abkhazia will be forced to introduce a strict schedule for the supply of electricity if it cannot agree with Moscow on the supply of electricity from Russia." Both the drought and the growing consumption of electricity in Abkhazia influences the lowering of the water level.
The HPP is of systemic importance for the Georgian energy sector and vital for the population of Abkhazia. “Of the volume of electricity currently being generated, 80% of the electricity is taken by the Abkhazian side, and the remaining 20% by Georgia,” the plant's general director emphasized.
📵 Cryptominers are also one of the problems: over the past five years, they have generated about $ 1 billion from electricity taken from Georgia. At the same time, they did not pay anything for electricity in Abkhazia.
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🇬🇪 The Georgian Orthodox Church has its own flag.
Attentive readers have noticed that on the photographs of the celebration of Giorgoba in Tbilisi, there is an unusual flag on the temple building. It resembles the state banner, but it also has differences. Indeed, this is the flag of the Georgian church. On a white cloth there is a red cross with a blue border (the cross of St. Nino). Often it is used in the form of banners, i.e. with a flag attached to a horizontal crossbar.
Attentive readers have noticed that on the photographs of the celebration of Giorgoba in Tbilisi, there is an unusual flag on the temple building. It resembles the state banner, but it also has differences. Indeed, this is the flag of the Georgian church. On a white cloth there is a red cross with a blue border (the cross of St. Nino). Often it is used in the form of banners, i.e. with a flag attached to a horizontal crossbar.
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📊🏦 Georgia has published a rating of banks.
The total net profit of the Georgian banking sector for the first 9 months of 2022 amounted to 1.5 billion lari. Moreover, most of this amount (1.4 billion lari) came from the income of only two commercial banks - TBC Bank and Bank of Georgia. The total assets of all 15 Georgian commercial banks reached the amount of 68 billion lari (and also, TBC and BoG have the overwhelming leadership).
📌 Top 8 Georgian banks in terms of assets:
TBC Bank: $26 billion
Bank of Georgia: $25 billion
Liberty Bank: $3.5 billion
Basis Bank: $2.9 billion
Credo Bank: 2 billion
Procredit Bank: 1.7 billion
Terabank: $1.4 billion
Cartu Bank: 1.4 billion
ℹ️ VTB Bank stopped its work in 2022 due to international sanctions, and its entire client base was exported to the Basis Bank and Liberty Bank.
The total net profit of the Georgian banking sector for the first 9 months of 2022 amounted to 1.5 billion lari. Moreover, most of this amount (1.4 billion lari) came from the income of only two commercial banks - TBC Bank and Bank of Georgia. The total assets of all 15 Georgian commercial banks reached the amount of 68 billion lari (and also, TBC and BoG have the overwhelming leadership).
📌 Top 8 Georgian banks in terms of assets:
TBC Bank: $26 billion
Bank of Georgia: $25 billion
Liberty Bank: $3.5 billion
Basis Bank: $2.9 billion
Credo Bank: 2 billion
Procredit Bank: 1.7 billion
Terabank: $1.4 billion
Cartu Bank: 1.4 billion
ℹ️ VTB Bank stopped its work in 2022 due to international sanctions, and its entire client base was exported to the Basis Bank and Liberty Bank.
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🎄 Tbilisi and Batumi are getting ready to celebrate the New Year.
📍Various events in the capital will be held for 22 days, and 5 million lari ($1.8 million) have been allocated for their implementation. From 23.12 to 13.01 holiday fairs, children's concerts and performances, theatrical performances and other recreational activities for all ages will be held. At the moment, it is known for sure that all central streets and avenues will be decorated, and on December 31 a festive gala concert will take place.
📍In Batumi, New Year's events will begin from 25.12 and will last until 07.01. The main place for New Year's entertainment will be Europe Square. 374 thousand lari ($130 thousand) were allocated for its decoration.
ℹ️ The schedule of events will appear in December. As soon as there is official information, I will immediately publish it.
📍Various events in the capital will be held for 22 days, and 5 million lari ($1.8 million) have been allocated for their implementation. From 23.12 to 13.01 holiday fairs, children's concerts and performances, theatrical performances and other recreational activities for all ages will be held. At the moment, it is known for sure that all central streets and avenues will be decorated, and on December 31 a festive gala concert will take place.
📍In Batumi, New Year's events will begin from 25.12 and will last until 07.01. The main place for New Year's entertainment will be Europe Square. 374 thousand lari ($130 thousand) were allocated for its decoration.
ℹ️ The schedule of events will appear in December. As soon as there is official information, I will immediately publish it.
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