2020-07-16
Today's Government meeting at the Administration of the Government was held under the chairmanship of Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia. The Cabinet discussed 8 issues on its meeting agenda.The country and its citizens have been able and continue to manage the virus effectively, which is key to further rapid and effective economic recovery, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia stated during today's Cabinet meeting.
According to the Prime Minister, the effective management of risks related to virus spread is the only way for the country to stabilize the economy to ensure further rapid recovery.
"It is clear today that the Government and the Ministries must be ready for stabilization. Particular positive signs are already present in our economy, and activities beyond the tourism sector are clearly growing. Similarly, financial sector indicators are quite positive in terms of tax revenues and the current account balance. All that should be credited to the fact that we, the country and its citizens, have been able and continue to manage the virus effectively, which is key to further rapid and effective economic recovery," Giorgi Gakharia said.
According to the Head of Government, activities have grown significantly in several areas, especially since the announcement of state support programs. Real estate sales have increased drastically in the past month, the Prime Minister added.
"As we have said repeatedly, we are fighting on two fronts, and we must always remember that the health of our citizens and virus-related risk management is the ultimate precondition for considering rapid economic recovery. Activities have grown significantly in several areas, especially since the announcement of state support programs-in the construction segment, for one. Also, real estate sales have increased drastically in the past month. We should also keep in mind that, despite our quite pessimistic projections-with the exception of reexport, which reflects the condition of our economy in the region-export has decreased by 6-7%, so our calculations have been more pessimistic," Giorgi Gakharia stated.
According to the Prime Minister, agriculture is developing equally dynamically, and more than 70,000 farmers have used state support programs. The Prime Minister instructed Levan Davitashvili to pay special attention to farmers during this grape and hazelnut harvest season.
"I would like to remind Mr. Minister that vintage season and hazelnut harvest are coming up, and that requires special attention. Last night, several villages in the Municipalities of Telavi and Kvareli were hit by hail, and we must pay special attention to our farmers," the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister also instructed the Finance Minister to revise the list of beneficiaries of targeted social assistance.
"The Finance Ministry is instructed to revise the list of our citizens benefiting from our targeted social assistance, so that we can see what further targeted social assistance the state can provide to our citizens. Despite today's relatively positive trends in Georgia's economy, the pandemic-related shock will continue to affect our economy at least through this year, which is why we must do our best to examine every social group and, wherever need be, mobilize resources to help our citizens. I emphasize that the social assistance packages developed by the Government have already benefited 721,000 citizens," the Prime Minister underlined.
On the Government's decision, 59 more settlements now enjoy the status of a mountainous area, and the populations of 59 villages in the Municipalities of Gori, Dusheti, Tianeti, Aspindza, and Dmanisi will be able to enjoy relevant benefits.
In addition, Mount Gomi in Guria will also qualify as a settlement first and then as a mountainous settlement.
"26,000 citizens will join the ranks of 246,000 citizens already enjoying the status of mountainous residents. I underline that these areas include 19 settlements along the occupation line, in the Municipalities of Dusheti and Gori, which is also particularly important. In the same vein, the long-standing issue of Mount Gomi in Guria will be solved and Mount Gomi will enjoy the same status, this way restoring justice. Mount Gomi in Guria will also qualify as a settlement first and then as a mountainous settlement," Giorgi Gakharia stated.
The Prime Minister also discussed Shekvetili Dendrology Park which opened yesterday. The Head of Government emphasized that, in defiance of three years of slandering, truth has prevailed.
"Yesterday marked a particularly important event. This day has been important for both Guria and Georgia as a whole, because Shekvetili Dendrology Park is now open to all, a unique project implemented thanks to Bidzina Ivanishvili's philanthropy, and we now see the fruits of enormous efforts in this park. It is symbolic that, despite years of slander, this great cause has been accomplished through enormous love for nature, and a unique park is now available to our citizens, the whole country. It is a unique park unmatched in the world, available to all our citizens, children, and visitors alike. All that goes to show that, despite everything, truth always prevails," Giorgi Gakharia stated.
On the Government's decision, active and retired service officers of the Defense Ministry will receive apartments to own.
"The Defense Ministry has decided to allocate apartments at its disposal-and we are talking about thousands of apartments-to both active and retired military personnel of the Defense Ministry. The apartments will be commissioned and handed over to said officers to own. This possibly overdue decision was made today," Giorgi Gakharia said.
On the Government's decision, the entrant, who tested positive for coronavirus during the exams, will be able to pass the remaining examination while in treatment.
According to the Prime Minister, this issue has been coordinated with epidemiologists and doctors alike.
"As you know, exams are in full swing, and entrants and their parents are quite tense, even though the Ministry of Education has put in place comfortable conditions for them despite the pandemic. In one case, an entrant tested positive during the exams. Presently, this person is in treatment, in safe health condition. We studied this issue, and it happens to be a straight A student who has just one exam left, so the council has decided to allow the entrant to pass the remaining exam while in treatment. This issue has been coordinated with epidemiologists and doctors alike, and the Ministry of Education will facilitate an examination to help the entrant avoid losing an entire year and to continue studies, now as a straight A student," Giorgi Gakharia emphasized.
Press Service of the Government Administration