Georgia ranked 64th in Best Countries for Business

Georgia's economy sustained GDP growth of close to 10% in 2006 and 12% in 2007, based on strong inflows of foreign investment and robust government spending. However, growth slowed to less than 7% in 2008 and is expected to slow further in 2009. Georgia's main economic activities include the cultivation of agricultural products such as grapes, citrus fruits, and hazelnuts; mining of manganese and copper; and output of a small industrial sector producing alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, metals, machinery, aircraft and chemicals. The country imports nearly all its needed supplies of natural gas and oil products. It has sizeable hydropower capacity, a growing component of its energy supplies. Areas of recent improvement include growth in the construction, banking services, and mining sectors, but reduced availability of external investment and the slowing regional economy are emerging risks. Georgia has historically suffered from a chronic failure to collect tax revenues; however, the government has made great progress and has reformed the tax code, improved tax administration, increased tax enforcement, and cracked down on corruption since coming to power in 2004. Government revenues have increased nearly four fold since 2003. Due to improvements in customs and tax enforcement, smuggling is a declining problem. Georgia has overcome the chronic energy shortages of the past by renovating hydropower plants and by bringing in newly available natural gas supplies from Azerbaijan, signing a Memorandum of Understanding and gas supply agreements in Fall 2008. It also has an increased ability to pay for more expensive gas imports from Russia. The country is pinning its hopes for long-term growth on a determined effort to reduce regulation, taxes, and corruption in order to attract foreign investment, but the economy faces a more difficult investment climate both domestically and internationally. The construction on the Baku-T'bilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the Baku-T'bilisi-Erzerum gas pipeline, and the Kars-Akhalkalaki Railroad are part of a strategy to capitalize on Georgia's strategic location between Europe and Asia and develop its role as a transit point for gas, oil and other goods.

Rank-previous year 68
GDP Growth 6.7%
GDP/Capita $5,000
Trade Balance -19.8%
Population 4.6 mil
Federal Budget Balance as % of GDP -1.8%

Trade Freedom 61
Monetary Freedom 98
Property Rights -
Innovation 101
Technology 92
Red Tape 3
Investor Protection 15
Corruption 54
Personal Freedom 85
Tax Burden 73
Market Performance NA

Exhibition of works by Pablo Picasso is coming to Georgia

For the first time Pablo Picasso exhibition is coming to Georgia. In result of the collaboration between Georgian National Museum and the Ion Department of France, Picasso masterpieces will be exhibited in Georgia from 30th May to 6th September 2009:
30 May - 23 June in Signagi;
28 June - 2 August in Tbilisi;
8 August - 6 September in Batumi.

The unique works of Picasso from private collections never left the Zervo Museum in France. They will be exhibited in Georgia in exchange to the exhibition of Niko Pirosmani masterpieces which has received great response in France.

Visit Georgia, historical and archirectural monuments


Day 1 - Tbilisi and Mzkheta City Tour: Saint Trinity Church, Narikala Fortress, Sioni Cathedral, basilica Anchiskhati, Treasury of Art Museum, historic and architectural complex of Jvari, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Samtavro Convent.
Day 2 - East Georgia - Kakheti, the Land of wine and vine-growing: museum in Tsinandali, wine cellar with assortment of wines, historical complex of Ikalto Academy, architectural complex of Alaverdi. The road to Tbilisi runs along the foot of the Caucasus mountain range providing views of the fortified medieval citadel of Gremi and the Nekresi Monastery.


Day 3 - Military Georgian Road across the Caucasus: historical and architectural Monument Ananuri, alpine ski resort Gudauri, Jvari crossing (2,395 m. alt.), village of Kazbegi, Gergeti Trinity church, beautiful view of Kazbegi mountain peak.
Day 4 - Kartli region:Bolnisi Sioni and Dmanisi ruins (proclaimed as the birthplace of the first Europeans).


Day 5 - On the way to Kutaisi visit to Stalin Museum in Gori and Uplistsikhe. Kutaisi Tour: Bagrati Temple, historic and architectural complex Gelati.
Day 6 - Batumi City Tour: Museum of History and Architecture, Gonio Fortress in the vicinity of the border between Georgia and Turkey, a walk in the seaside park.
Day 7 - Borjomi City Tour: the Royal Residence Palace of the Romanovs - Russian Royal family, tasting of Borjomi mineral water and hike to the national park of Borjomi-Kharagauli.
Day 8 - Cave city Vardzia, City cut out of solid rock.


Booking e-mail: info@exotour.ge;

provided by Travel and Trekking Tours to Georgia
 
Best Sites UK