GDP reached $10.5 BLN - growth leaders are technology and education

The prices for mining and quarrying increased by 2.2 percent compared to January 2026, resulting in a 0.17 percentage point contribution to the overall monthly PPI change. In the same period, the prices for manufactured products decreased by 0.5 percent, contributing -0.38 percentage points to the monthly index change. Within the group, a noteworthy price decrease was registered for food products (-0.5 percent) and basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations (-6.1 percent).Besides, the prices decreased for electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning by 1.9 percent, contributing -0.2 percentage points to the monthly index change.The annual PPI rate was mainly affected by price changes for the following products: Mining and quarrying: the prices were 34.2 percent higher, contributing 2.19 percentage points to the overall annual index change. Within the group, the prices were higher for the subgroup of metal ores (47.6 percent) Manufactured products: the prices increased by 4.1 percent, contributing 3.24 percentage points to the overall annual index increase. There was a notable increase in the prices for food products (10.3 percent) and basic metals (11.2 percent) Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning: the annual price increase amounted to 1.0 percent, which contributed 0.11 percentage points to the annual index change Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation services: the annual price increase amounted to 5.1 percent, which contributed 0.16 percentage points to the annual index growth

1774008021

The largest shares of GDP by activity are held by Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (14.8 percent) and real estate activities (9.3 percent), followed by Manufacturing (9.1 percent), Information and communication (8.0 percent), Construction (8.0 percent), Public administration and defence; compulsory social security (6.7 percent), Education (6.4 percent), Transportation and storage (6.1 percent), Agriculture, forestry and fishing (5.9 percent).Significant contributions to the real GDP growth in 2025 are related to increase of valueadded of the following activities: Information and communication (28.7 percent), Education (24.5 percent), Public administration and defence; compulsory social security (9.3 percent), Financial and insurance activities (12.9 percent), Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (3.8 percent), Transportation and storage (8.9 percent), Real estate activities (5.0 percent).The largest negative contributions to growth in 2025 were recorded in the following activities: Agriculture, forestry and fishing (-5.7 percent), Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply (-4.5 percent).

1774007789

Hydropower generation increased by 51.9% year-on-year to 672 GWh, while wind power generation increased by 17.6% year-on-year to 6.6 GWh. As for thermal power plants, their generation decreased by 23.3%, to 316 GWh.In the same month, Georgia’s electricity consumption increased by 1.8% year-on-year to 1,226 GWh.The investment company writes that in February, retail consumption amounted to 703 GWh (-2.2% y/y), while direct consumption increased by 25.4% annually and amounted to 266 GWh.Consumption in the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, compared to the corresponding period of last year, decreased by 5.7%, to 257 GWh.In February 2026, the weighted average price of balancing electricity was 5.57 US cents per kilowatt-hour, which is equivalent to a 6.6% annual decrease.Prices in the balancing electricity market decreased by 10.6% in monthly terms.In the same month, Georgia imported 277 GWh of electricity.29%, 81 GWh, of imported electricity hours, the country received from Azerbaijan.In addition, a large share of the 194 GWh of electricity imported from Russia, 129 GWh, was used to cover the consumption of occupied Abkhazia.In February, Georgia's electricity imports totaled 7.3 million USD.

1774007693

The decision was made by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, as a mark of respect for the late Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II.Ilia II passed away on March 17 at the age of 93. Following his death, a period of mourning has been declared across Georgia.The Patriarch will be laid to rest in the Sioni Cathedral on March 22.

1774007597

The Ministry explained that this measure is linked to a high rate of visa violations by Georgian citizens and is part of the U.S. administration’s broader tightened immigration policy. Georgian authorities urged citizens to strictly comply with U.S. visa regulations, noting that proper adherence will allow Georgia to continue discussions with the U.S. regarding a potential review of these restrictions in the future.In addition to the bond requirement, immigration practitioners have noted a trend: Georgian B-1/B-2 visitors are increasingly being admitted for only one month, instead of the traditional six months. These shorter stays are reportedly aimed at preventing visitors from filing immigrant petitions or status adjustments while in the United States.As of March 18, 2026, Georgia is among 12 new countries added to the U.S. Visa Bond Program, which now covers 50 countries worldwide. The program will take effect in Georgia starting April 2, 2026, and the bond is refundable provided the traveler leaves the U.S. on time, in compliance with visa rules.

1773922110

By the regulator's decision, sanctions were imposed on NSN Group LLC and Microfinance Organization MJC LLC.The largest sanction, in the amount of 153,600 GEL, was imposed on NSN Group LLC. The National Bank's inspection revealed the following main deficiencies: Non-recording of operations: 19 cases of non-recording of information about clients and transactions in the electronic system were identified (fine 133,000 GEL) Software deficiencies: The organization's system failed to ensure the detection of suspicious and fragmented transactions, as well as the identification of sanctioned and politically active persons (PEP) Failure to investigate sources: No investigation of the origin of funds was carried out in relation to two clients According to the Business Register, the owner and director of the company is Zurab Nikoladze.The National Bank fined LLC "Microfinance Organization MJC" 81,500 GEL. The list of violations identified during the inspection is as follows: Failure to submit information: 25 cases of failure to submit information about transactions to the Financial Monitoring Service (fine 50,000 GEL) Monitoring deficiencies: The business relationship monitoring rule was violated with respect to three clients and the origin of funds was not studied Violation of the sanctions regime: The organization's software system functioned with significant deficiencies in terms of compliance with the sanctions regimes According to the Public Registry, the owner and director of the company in question is Makhare Jamrishvili.

1773921878

In January-February 2026, the share of the ten largest countries in Georgia's total domestic exports amounted to 68.1%. In this regard, the largest export partners are: China ($143.9 million) Russia ($84.9 million) Turkey ($76.1 million) According to Geostat, in the top ten of local exports in January-February 2026, precious metal ores and concentrates are represented in the first place with $125.6 million, the share of this commodity group is 19% of total local exports. In second place is oil and oil products, with $88.1 million (13.3% of total local exports), and in third place is hazelnuts and other nuts with $34.2 million (5.2% of total local exports).

1773921664

According to Geostat, in January-February 2026, the share of the ten largest export partner countries in Georgia's total exports amounted to 72.1%. The top three export countries were formed as follows: China ($147.1 million) Kyrgyzstan ($105.9 million) Azerbaijan ($95.1 million) In January-February 2026, the share of the ten largest import partner countries in Georgia's total imports amounted to 69.1%. The top three include: Turkey ($415.6 million) Russia ($326.3 million) China ($310.7 million) In January-February 2026, the share of the ten largest trade partner countries in Georgia's total foreign trade turnover amounted to 66.9%. The country's largest trading partners are: Turkey ($499.5 million) China ($457.8 million) Russia ($418.3 million) In January-February 2026, among the top ten export commodity groups, passenger cars took first place with $216.3 million, which is 21.1% of all exports. Precious metal ores and concentrates take second place with $125.6 million (12.2% of all exports), and oil and petroleum products take third place with $93.3 million (9.1%).According to Geostat, the largest import commodity group in January-February 2026 was represented by passenger cars, whose imports amounted to $332.7 million and 13.4% of all imports. Second place is taken by oil and petroleum products with $209 (8.4% of imports), and third place is taken by petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons with $134.7 million (5.4% of imports).

1773920884