CIVIL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION CONSIDERS NEW REQUESTS FOR REGULAR AIR FLIGHTS
(Daily News: March 10, 2005)
The Civil Aviation Administration is considering six new requests for regular flights from Georgian air companies. Georgian National Airlines has applied for Tbilisi-Baku and Tbilisi-Yerevan flights, Tbilaviamsheni to Rostov, while Sakaviaservice to Trabzon-Thessaloniki.
RUSTAVI METALLURGIC PLANT, CHEMICAL PLANT AND CARRIAGE REPAIR PLANT NEXT TO BE SOLD
(Daily News: March 9, 2005)
The list of large entities the government has decided to offer potential bidders includes the Rustavi metallurgic plant, Rustavi chemical plant Azot, and the Tbilisi carriage assembly plant. Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli does not rule out this list may become longer if the Batumi petroleum storage depot and the tank depot of the oil refinery are added to it.
GOVERNMENT INCREASES BUDGET BY 450M LARI, IMF MISSION CALLS FOR GRADUAL USE OF FUNDS FROM PRIVATIZATION
(Daily News: March 9, 2005)
Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli has announced today the budget-2005 will increase by 450 million lari, mainly through privatization returns. Of the funds, 164 million will go to the energy sector as additional funding.
ADDITIONAL IMPORTS TO FILL UP ELECTRICITY GAP CAUSED BY KAVKASIONI ETL ACCIDENT
(Daily News: March 8, 2005)
Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli has announced plans to import 240 mW of electricity from Azerbaijan, Turkey and Russia (through the Salkhino electricity transmission line) starting next week.
The necessity of additional imports arose following the recent accident at Kavkasioni, the high voltage electricity transmission line, through which electricity is imported from Russia.
GEORGIA BACKS UKRAINE’S ASPIRATION TO JOIN WTO, BUT TALKS WITH THE COUNTRY ON THE QUESTION STILL UNDERWAY
(Daily News: March 8, 2005)
Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli declared Georgia supports Ukraine’s WTO accession plans during his recent visit to Kiev. But Georgia, as a WTO member state, is still in talks with the country over the issue.
ABOUT THE FOURTH POWER AND THE REST
(Weekly Press Digest: March 6, 2005)
The inside problems of the fourth estate have become vivid for the outer world. The annual report of the US State Department points to pressure exerted on the media and “self-censorship” in Georgia leading to the closure of popular night talk-shows in the country, reports the 24 Saati.
Akhali Taoba: “THE ORDER OF THE GOVERNMENT REGARDING TRADE OF CIGARETTES IS UNLAWFUL”
(Economic Press Monitor: March 1, 2005)
At the session of the Parliament bureau, MPs expressed distrust regarding agreement, concluded these days by the United Trade Unions with the Economic Development Ministry, on passing to the state of 90% of Unions’ property. They were saying the rest 10%, which represents “the tasty morsel”, should be handed to the state as well.
24 Saati: “AGAIN THIS YULIA: DO NOT IMPEDE IMPORT FROM GEORGIA WITH BUREAUCRATIC BARRIERS – TIMOSHENKO THREATENS UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS”
(Economic Press Monitor: March 1, 2005)
Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli supports entering of Ukraine in WTO hoping Georgian production will have broader access to Ukrainian markets. Because of its scale Ukraine can replace Russia as the market for Georgia.
GEORGIA’S PRIME MINISTER CONSIDERS ECONOMIC PROJECTS AND PROBLEMS IN AZERBAIJAN
(Daily News: March 4, 2005)
Today Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli has visited Azerbaijan on a one-day visit. During the visit prospects of the development of economic cooperation and the process of implementation of joint projects were considered.
BILL “ON ORGANIZING LOTTERIES, GAMBLING AND OTHER GAMES” STILL RAISES HEATED DEBATES IN PARLIAMENT
(Daily News: March 2, 2005)
The discussion of the bill “On Organizing Lotteries, Gambling and Other Games” has raised heated debates in the Financial and Budgetary Committee today. Parliament will consider the bill in the second hearing at its plenary meeting.
STATE MAY RECEIVE GRANTS FROM FOREIGN BUSINESS ENTITIES TOO
(Daily News: March 2, 2005)
The Financial Budgetary Committee has considered and approved today the amendments to the law “On Grants” (passed in 1996), under which the state will be able to receive grants from international humanitarian and public organizations, financial and creditor institutions and governments of other countries, as well as foreign business legal entities.
However, the committee has not supported the paragraph, under which business legal entity registered in Georgia may be a donor.
BUSINESSMAN MADE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF CAPITAL’S DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVES
(Daily News: March 1, 2005)
Irakli Gilauridze, the director of the Reconstruction and Development Company, has introduced a Tbilisi-City project to a meeting organized by the Business Federation today. He said the project implementation, to be funded by the company, would claim millions.
PENDING RESHAPE OF THE GOVERNMENT
(Weekly Press Digest: February 27, 2005)
Hardly has Parliament approved the new composition of the cabinet, the press started speculations about pending staff reshuffles in the government. The executive government has rejected the speculations.
GOVERNMENT HOPES TO DEAL WITH ENERGY CRISIS IN TWO YEARS
(Daily News: February 25, 2005)
Ways of overcoming energy crisis have been discussed at an enlarged meeting of the government today. President Mikheil Saakashvili also attended the meeting.
STATE SHARE IN LLC ZHINERI TO BE TRANSFERRED FOR MANAGEMENT TO TBILISI MAYOR’S OFFICE
(Daily News: February 23, 2005)
The state’s 51% share in LLC Zhineri is planned to be handed to Tbilisi Mayor’s Office. Tbilisi Mayor Zurab Chiaberashvili suggests in that case ZhinvalHES, which is leased by the LLC, could be overhauled by the funds from the city budget.
SELLING MAIN GAS PIPELINE TO RUSSIAN GAZPROM APPEARS IN THE AGENDA AGAIN
(Daily News: February 22, 2005)
The information spread by the press today that President Mikheil Saakashvili confirmed the main gas pipeline may be sold to Russian Gazprom has raised a stir. Commenting on the question State Minister Kakha Bendukidze told journalists in the State Office the talks on the issue are underway, however, Russian side “has yet to present its view”.
… AS FOR THE REST, EVERYTHING IS OK
(Weekly Press Digest: February 20, 2005)
Parliament has approved a new cabinet and cuts in the number of MPs without much trouble. However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s visit to Georgia has stirred up a lot of emotions this week.
24 Saati: “PROCLAIMED SUPPORT TO KUTAISI”
(Economic Press Monitor: February 15, 2005)
Kutaisi budget-2005 makes up 12.87 million lari, however social and special transfers in 9 million to be added. The city government also hopes to receive $200,000 under the program of Social Investments Fund for the city infrastructure.
NEW FINANCE MINSITER TAKES OVER
(Daily News: February 18, 2005)
Prime Minsiter Zurab Nogaideli has introduced today new Finance Minsiter Valeri Chechelashvili to the staff of the Ministry. Speaking about prospects, Chechelashvili pointed to ambitious plans for economic growth and creating job places.
NEW PRIME MINISTER PLEDGES TO COME UP WITH A SPECIFIC PROGRAM TO DEAL WITH POWER CRISIS
(Daily News: February 17, 2005)
Among the problems the government has been criticized for in Parliament today is the energy crisis in the country. One of Conservators leader Zviad Dzidziguri said a “vicious circle” had been made, and energy entities were pointing to each other to blame for the crisis in the sector.
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