Daily News December 19, 2002	Days:  13 16 19 20 23

politics

PRESIDENTS OF GEORGIA AND UKRAINE CONSIDER A WIDE RANGE OF QUESTIONS

During yesterday’s meeting between Georgia’s President Eduard Shevardnadze and his Ukrainian counterpart Leonid Kuchma were discussed the questions of strengthening cooperation, the relations with the neighbor states and international organizations, prospects of entry into NATO, activation of GUUAM (Alliance of Georgia, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova).

President Shevardnadze reported that on the occasion of the 10^th anniversary of TRACECA (transport corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia) an international conference will be held next year.




ELECTION RESULTS IN RUSTAVI APPEARS IN QUESTION

The Central Election Commission (CEC) will reconsider the decision on confirming the result of the Rustavi election, under which Roland Mgaloblishvili was elected a majority MP.

After considering the suits filed by the organization Fair Elections and a candidate of an MP Gvalia, the Supreme Court yesterday canceled the ruling by the CEC and charged it to reconsider the claims regarding violations during the elections “in a reasonable time”.




GOVERNMENT RESHUFFLES IN THE SELF-PROCLAIMED REPUBLIC OF ABKHAZIA

As Sukhumi’s Financial Abkhazia information agency reports, the economic wing of Abkhazia’s new Cabinet of Ministers has undergone considerable changes.

Only Finance Minister Lili Branba has retained her office, whereas among the dismissed are:Tamaz Gogia, Abkhazia’s chair of the State Property Management and Privatization Committee, Jemal Eshba, the Agriculture Minister, Albert Topolyan, the Tourism Minister.

economics

RISE IN MINIMUM WAGES LEADS TO CLASHES IN PARLIAMENT

For two days, Parliament has considered an increase in minimum wages from May 1 proposed by the United Democrats.

Under proposed changes to the Labor Code the current wages of 20 Lari will be brought in line with a subsistence level, which amounts to 110-115 Lari.




COMPARED TO 2001, 993 TONS MORE TEALEAF IS GATHERED THIS YEAR, SAYS AGRICULTURE MINISTRY

According to the Agriculture and Food Ministry, 24,005 tons of tea leaf has been gathered in the current year against last year’s 23,012 tons. Therein in the region of Samegrelo – 10,601 tons, Guria – 10,343 tons, Imereti – 1,283 tons, and 1,778 tons in Ajara.




DIFFICULTIES WITH REHABILITATING BUILDINGS IN ABKHAZIA

As Sukhumi’s Financial Abkhazia information agency reports, the State Property Management and Privatization Committee has recently cancelled its decision to announce a tender on selling one of the dilapidated buildings in the center of Sukhumi.

Such decision was conditioned by the fact that this building appeared included in the register of the units, representing the monuments of cultural and architectural heritage, and thus cannot be privatized.

business

QUESTION ON CHIATURMARGANETS AND FERRO WILL BE SETTLED IN JANUARY, ECONOMY MINISTRY SAYS

Sergo Toprakashvili, the head of the Economy, Industry and Trade Ministry’s department, told Sarke, that the terms, according to which JSC Chiaturmarganets and JSC Ferro will be offered to the investors, are still indefinite. He reported that the question on the enterprises’ fate will be tabled to the Government for consideration at the end of January.




NEXT TRADING TAKES PLACE AT GESE

The Georgian Stock Exchange reports, 2,846 shares of Spetsmsheni have been sold for 859.49 Lari today at this trading of the first specialized auction. Three brokerage companies took part in the auction.




TENDER ON TBILTSKALKANALI’S DISPOSAL POSTPONED FOR A MONTH

Tbiltskalkanali’s (water supply and sewerage) press service told Sarke, the tender, scheduled on December 17, has been postponed, tentatively, for January 17.

Reportedly the postponement has been decided on at the request of the tender’s three of the five potential participators, who failed to prepare the necessary technical documentation.