Economic Press Monitor

IN THIS ISSUE:

Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway route, which is mentioned sometimes as “Silk Railway”, can become a leader of rail transportation in Georgia, the article states.

In order the project could be considered successful, 4 million t of freights have to be transported annually on this section, which is not so easy business against the background of general reduction of freight turnover, the article points.

In August, lari depreciated during a week from 2.45 GEL/USD to 2.63 GEL/USD, which reason was named devaluation of Turkish lira and conversations about development of economic crisis in Turkey (key trade partner of Georgia), the magazine reminds.

However, the stir, caused by devaluation of Turkish lira, has calmed down, and lira has strengthened in September by 7%, while lari exchange rate has stopped near 2.6 GEL/USD, the article specifies and adds: it seems that there was something else occurred.

Vakhtang Burkiashvili, former consultant of 20/30 (economic program of GDS broadcasting company, established by Bidzina Ivanishvili, billionaire leader of ruling Georgian Dream), is appointed the executive director of National Bank of Georgia (NBG), Tabula reports.

Burkiashvili will replace Giorgi Melashvili, who resigns in order to move to private sector.

Referring to Sakstat, Netgazeti.Ge reports that 85,451 people emigrated from Georgia in 2017, including 47,770 men and 37,681 women, while in 2016 – 98,288 people (55,255 men and 43,033 women).

As the article notes, biggest part of emigrants both in 2017 and in 2016 was from age group of 25-29 years.