TBILISI, DFWatch–The company Georgian Manganese, which owns manganese mines in Chiatura and a ferro-alloy plant in Zestaponi, lost a court case against the government on Tuesday and must pay a 200 million laris (USD over 88.2 million) tax penalty
Economy
Car dealers demonstrate against ban on right-hand drive vehicles
TBILISI, DFWatch–Car dealers demonstrated in Rustavi on Friday against the government’s initiative to ban the registration of cars with right-hand drive from 2017.
The protest took place at Georgia’s largest car market, located in Rustavi,
Gori wind farm expected to start producing electricity in December
TBILISI, DFWatch–Construction of wind a farm in Gori, 80km west of the capital, will be completed by the end of 2016, according to the Energy Ministry.
Deputy Energy Minister Irakli Khmaladze said the power station
Georgia's foreign trade Jan-Feb down 2%
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in the first two months of 2016 was 2 percent less than last year, totaling USD 1,413 million.
According to a new monthly report by the National Statistics Department (GeoStat), export was down 13 percent to USD 281 million,
Koba Gvenetadze appointed new head of Georgia's National Bank
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s president has appointed a new head of the National Bank (NBG).
The appointment was signed by President Giorgi Margvelashvili on Thursday.
Outgoing NBG head Giorgi Kadagidze will be replaced Koba Gvenetadze, a former politician
Direct foreign investments in Georgia down 23% in 2015
TBILISI, DFWatch–Direct foreign investments in Georgia went 23 down percent in 2015 compared to the previous year, according to preliminary figures from Georgia’s National Statistics Department, GeoStat.
According to the report, the amount
Air Arabia, Scat, El Al, ARKIA and Dniproavia eye Batumi airport
TBILISI, DFWatch–Air Arabia, Scat, El Al Israel Airlines, ARKIA and Dniproavia are considering flights to Batumi airport on Georgia’s Black Sea coast.
Guram Jalaghonia, head of the Civil Aviation Agency, told Business and Political Insight (BPI) on Monday
Azot chemical plant in Rustavi shuts down for a month
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Azot chemical plant in Rustavi with more than 2,000 employees has shut down for a month due to economic factors.
The plant, which lies in Rustavi, a town 20km south of the capital, expected Azerbaijan’s state oil company Socar to reduce
Georgia's foreign trade dropped 24% in January
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in January was USD 528 million, a 24 percent drop compared to the same month last year.
According to the new monthly report by the National Statistics Department, GeoStat, export was USD 122 million;
Casino plans called off in Tbilisi's new 'Millenium' tower
TBILISI, DFWatch–Plans to open a high-end luxury casino in downtown Tbilisi have been aborted because the Hong Kong based operator, Melco International Development, was unable to reach an agreement with UAE Dhabi Group about leasing of space.
The casino