💳 Visa and Mastercard statistics in Georgia.

There are 7 million debit and 568 thousand credit cards in the country. This means that on average there are 1.7 debit cards per inhabitant, which means that every inhabitant of the country has more than one debit card, and every seventh citizen has a credit card. As of October 2022, there are 3.89 million Mastercard/Maestro debit cards and 2.23 million VISA cards in Georgia. The number of cards of other systems is 920 thousand.

📊 Market shares of debit cards by payment systems are as follows: Mastercard/Maestro - 55%; VISA - 32%; other systems - 13%. The credit card market is divided between payment systems as follows: VISA - 26%; Mastercard/Maestro - 26%; other systems - 48% of the market. Currently, there are more than 2,800 ATMs and 90,000 POS terminals throughout the country. More than 2 million transactions are carried out daily with these cards, the total volume of which on average exceeds 167 million lari per day (only 5 years ago, the figures were 4 times less).

🇬🇪🛫 Wizz Air has announced prices for new destinations from Kutaisi.

From June 2023, the low-cost airline will fly on five new routes, to Brussels (pictured), Frankfurt, Hamburg, Poznan and Madrid. Especially for you, I just checked the prices, they are very pleasant.
🇧🇪 to Brussels from 97 GEL
🇩🇪 to Frankfurt from 107 GEL
🇪🇸 to Madrid from 167 GEL
🇵🇱 to Poznan from 137 GEL
🇩🇪 to Hamburg from 137 GEL
❗️Do not forget to register in the WIZZ Discount Club loyalty system before buying.

⚡️🍷From January 1, 2023, alcoholic beverages of grape origin for sale on the domestic market will be subject to mandatory certification.

According to the National Wine Agency of Georgia, this is done to ensure the quality of Georgian wine.
Certification of alcoholic beverages produced in Georgia and intended for sale in the country will help:
📍introduce maximum control of alcoholic beverages
📍protect against tampering
📍will lead to the expansion and development of a competitive market
❗️To sell alcoholic beverages when selling products on the local market, a manufacturer or an individual must have a product conformity certificate based on a document issued by an accredited laboratory ღვინის ეროვნული სააგენტო / National Wine Agency of Georgia

🇬🇪🏦🇮🇷 The National Bank of Georgia has strengthened control over banking operations related to Iran.

"Any banking transactions that are directly or indirectly related to Iran or goods of Iranian origin, in the context of full-scale US sanctions against Iran, may be considered a violation of international sanctions," the regulator said in a statement.
The National Bank instructed all banks to carry out enhanced preventive measures against persons associated with Iran and stop transactions in case of a risk of violating sanctions.
It is worth adding that there are quite a lot of Iranian citizens living in Georgia and doing business.

📈 In 2022, Georgia generated a record $3.15 billion in tourism revenue, surpassing the pre-pandemic figures of all of 2019 even in 11 months.

This is reported by the National Tourism Administration. According to them, this indicator is a recovery of 103.5% compared to the same indicator in 2019 (growth +$108 million). Compared to January-November 2021, travel revenue increased by $2 billion (+182.4%).
❗️The most notable countries with an increase in tourist flow were Russia, Turkey and the Persian Gulf region (UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia).

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Barcelona star Leo Messi shake hands after the UEFA Super Cup final in Tbilisi, Georgia on August 11, 2015.
Photo: the PM's press service.

🇬🇪 Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili spoke at the palace for foreign diplomats.

What was most important:
📍 The occupation of Georgia by Russia is a big challenge. It must be made clear that occupation is no longer acceptable on the European continent.
📍 There is another challenge related to mass migration from Russia. A challenge that is somewhat of an opportunity as it once again shows us what Georgian tolerance and hospitality means, but it doesn't have to be stupid.
📍 I welcome the signing of the strategic agreement on the development and flow of green energy. This is a historic step that will connect the Caucasus with the European Union.
📍 One of the main issues that contributes to polarization is the issue of the former president. For the country, for its reputation, it is important that all parties stop speculation, and on December 22 (the court on suspension or cancellation of punishment) we will wait for a decision that, I want to be sure, will allow the people of Georgia to get out of this situation.
📍 Europe becomes a force that everyone should respect; there is a demonstration of its unity. It is with this Europe that we want to integrate.

🚛🇹🇷🇬🇪🇷🇺 Turkey and Russia intend to update the land transport agreement signed 34 years ago.

With the conclusion of the new document, the number of land transportations to the Russian Federation through the territory of Georgia and the Upper Lars checkpoint will increase significantly. The information was reported in the Turkish newspaper Yeni Şafak.

🇬🇪❤️🎄 The New Year Village and holiday locations will open in Tbilisi on December 23 and will be open until January 13.

Concerts for children and adults, festive processions of fairy-tale characters, theatrical performances will take place on Orbeliani Square, April 9 Park and Atoneli Street. The schedule will appear in the near future (and we will immediately publish it).

👮🏻‍♂️😁 The story of a resident of Kutaisi, who recently became the "hero" of Georgian social networks after the “capture” of hostages and a bus, ended happily.

The judge ruled to release the unfortunate hijacker.
"The case that the whole country was talking about has been resolved. He is free. Everything is fine with the bus, as well as with the passengers," lawyer Archil Nizharadze wrote.
According to the participants in the story the reaver forcibly tried to invite everyone to his house to continue the feast, after which he decided to steal a city bus.
ℹ️ The man did not receive claims from passengers, made a deal with the prosecutor's office and was released from the courtroom.
😂 Well, now he definitely has to arrange a feast for these passengers.

🇺🇦❤️🇬🇪 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky publicly appealed to the Georgian authorities and the Georgian people with a request to show mercy and transfer Mikheil Saakashvili for treatment to Ukraine, one of the European countries or the United States.

According to the President of Ukraine, the Georgian authorities must make a decision that will allow ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili, who is in custody, to be sent abroad for treatment:
“I want to appeal to our friends and intelligent people in Georgia. Everyone saw the state of Mikheil Saakashvili, the state of his health. I appeal to the Georgian nation and government: show mercy, especially in this difficult time.What is happening with Saakashvili is evil. This does not help Georgia. This must stop. Please make a decision that can save his life. Please release Saakashvili to Ukraine, to any country in Europe or to America. Right now is the time to do something good. Glory Ukraine!"

👮🏻‍♂️🚓 From 27.12. Georgia tightens penalties for drivers.

✔️ exceeding the speed limit by 40 km/h or more - a fine of 300 GEL, repeated violation - 400 GEL
✔️ glass tinting 1-10% more than the allowable norm - 100 GEL, more than 10% - 500 GEL, if repeated - 1000 GEL
✔️ drifting is prohibited: driving in a circle using a controlled skid is punishable by a fine of 300 GEL
✔️ for drunk driving, a fine of 3000 GEL + administrative arrest for 10-15 days, who refuse to be tested
✔️ a fine of +2000 GEL along with the deprivation of rights will wait for a drunk driver if his driving caused damage to a person, cargo, road, road infrastructure, building or property

📊 The National Statistical Service of Georgia (Sakstat) summed up the results of 11 months of the country's trade turnover.

Turkey remains the largest partner ($2.5 billion), followed by Russia ($2.2 billion) and China ($1.6 billion). Over the current year, imports from the Russian Federation increased by 73.1% year on year and amounted to 13.4% of total imports.
The group of imported goods was leaded by cars, imports of which amounted to $1.3 billion (11.6% of total imports), oil and oil products in the amount of $1.2 billion (10.3% of imports), copper ores and concentrates in the amount of $725 million (6.1% of imports).
📈 In January-November 2022, the foreign trade turnover with goods in Georgia amounted to $17 billion, which is 32.2% more than in the corresponding period of the previous year.
ℹ️ In exports, the picture is slightly different, but the leaders are the same - Russia and China.
According to the Sakstat, in January-November 2022, the three largest export partner countries of Georgia looked like this: China ($661 million), Russia ($598 million) and Azerbaijan ($595 million).