Business sector turnover increased by 12.8%, while production output - by 15.5%

During the meeting, the parties discussed priorities for the bilateral partnership, including economic development and improving the quality of life for the population. Masato Kanda congratulated the Prime Minister on the country’s “strong macroeconomic parameters” and the completion of the Rikoti Pass highway.“This is an amazing project that supports regional connectivity,” the ADB President said, speaking about the Rikoti section.A key topic of the discussions was the Bank’s participation in the development of the “Middle Corridor.” The parties also addressed airport modernization and support for the tourism sector.Kanda emphasized that ADB is ready to assist Georgia in achieving its strategic ambitions related to the growth of the country’s transit and logistics potential in the Eurasian region, through innovative projects and financial instruments.

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According to Kanda, the meeting was “very productive” and highlighted the long-standing partnership between ADB and Georgia. Since joining the bank in 2007, Georgia has received nearly $6 billion in financial assistance, with ADB remaining one of the country’s largest development partners.“Encouraging to hear the significant results of Georgia's reforms and sound macroeconomic management – these are the best ‘insurance’ against external shocks,” Kanda wrote.The discussion also focused on strengthening Georgia’s position along the Middle Corridor through enhanced energy, transport, and digital connectivity. Innovative projects, including local currency financing, were highlighted as ways ADB is positioning itself as a leading development finance institution in Georgia.Kanda emphasized that the partnership will continue to support Georgia’s economic progress and improve the quality of life for all its citizens.

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The publication, which is based on official data from the Revenue Service, indicates that the number of employed people decreased by 11.7% compared to December 2025, which is likely explained by seasonal factors. Nevertheless, compared to January 2025, the indicator improved by 2.8%.“In January 2026, the number of persons receiving a monthly salary stood at 904,967, which was 11.7% lower than in December 2025, and 2.8% higher than in January 2025.In January 2026, the share of persons receiving a monthly salary of up to 600 GEL amounted to 17.8%, which was 8.3 percentage points higher than in December 2025, and 1.8 percentage points lower than in January 2025.In January 2026, the share of persons receiving a monthly salary of 2,400 GEL or more amounted to 30.5%, which was 20.3 percentage points lower than in December 2025, and 4.0 percentage points higher than in January 2025.In January 2026, the share of persons receiving a monthly salary of 9,600 GEL or more amounted to 2.6%, which was 3.2 percentage points lower than in December 2025, and 0.3 percentage points higher than in January 2025”, - the document reads.

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According to the official statement, such actions “grossly violate international law” and risk escalating tensions in the region.“In light of the strong friendship and strategic partnership between Georgia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, Georgia expresses solidarity with our brotherly nation in this difficult situation,” the ministry said.Following the incident, Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili spoke by phone with her Azerbaijani counterpart to discuss the situation.Azerbaijani media reported that Iranian-made drones struck the Nakhchivan airport area, injuring four people. In response, Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry summoned the Iranian ambassador, Mojtaba Dermichilu, for explanations.

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The company imports major brands such as Roshen and Danone to Georgia.According to Burduli, the price difference compared to European countries is directly linked to producers’ policies. Large manufacturers view Georgia as a small buyer, resulting in higher purchase prices.“In many cases, major manufacturers consider our market expensive, small in scale, so purchase prices are higher than in other countries,” Burduli noted, citing Turkey as an example, where similar products are significantly cheaper.He added that prices imported by their company increased by no more than 2% on average in 2025, mainly due to changes in purchase costs.Burduli emphasized that distributors cannot arbitrarily raise prices, as international brands strictly control operating costs and profit margins. In most cases, distributors’ profit margins do not exceed 3%, and at most 5%.On March 5, the fifth session of the Commission for the Study of the Pricing Structure of Food Products, Medicines, and Fuel was held in the Georgian Parliament. The commission, which has already met with local producers and small importers, aims to complete its study of the market structure and value chain by the end of April.

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In the FTSE 100, Bank of Georgia joins global giants such as HSBC, BP, Unilever, Rolls-Royce, Shell, Barclays, and others.Lion Finance Group will officially join the index on March 20, 2026, after the stock exchange closes, with the change taking effect on March 23, 2026.“Lion Finance Group’s inclusion in the FTSE 100 is recognition of the value created by our group. This achievement highlights the strength of our strategy, innovative technology, and customer-centric approach in Georgia and Armenia. I believe this recognition will further boost international interest and attract new investments. This milestone is the result of the professionalism and joint effort of every member of our team,” said Archil Gachechiladze, CEO of Lion Finance Group.For context, Lion Finance Group is a banking group listed on the London Stock Exchange that unites leading, customer-focused, digitally accessible universal banks, including Bank of Georgia and Ameriabank.The group was first listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2006 and joined the FTSE 250 index in 2012.

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Statistics show that as recently as January 2026, the sector’s annual growth rate was 25.5%, but the rate stabilized sharply in February.Price Regulation and the DRG SystemThe slowdown affects only services outside state funding. Under the diagnosis-related group (DRG) model used in the universal healthcare program, clinics cannot arbitrarily raise prices, meaning most price changes occurred in the unreformed segment of the sector.Competition Agency MonitoringThe Competition and Consumer Protection Agency is monitoring the medical market, analyzing data from large inpatient clinics covering January 2022 to October 2025.The agency aims to determine:• Whether price increases of up to 100% were economically justified;• Whether increases were driven by higher costs or market factors;• Whether clinics artificially inflated prices.According to the agency’s representative, Giorgi Kedelidze, the study will highlight areas with the highest inflation. The date for publishing the initial results has not yet been announced.

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Speaking at a commission hearing on Chinese influence in Europe, Wilson warned that Tbilisi is becoming increasingly dependent on Beijing for both technological and financial support.“The dictatorship of Bidzina Ivanishvili and his Georgian Dream party has imprisoned almost all opposition leaders and ignored the Georgian people, who desire freedom rather than China’s ‘debt trap diplomacy’ or the Russian oligarchy,” Wilson said.He noted that while Russia had previously been Ivanishvili’s “source of wealth,” following the 2024 parliamentary elections, which Wilson described as “hijacked”, China has emerged as the primary provider of surveillance technology and propaganda tools for the ruling team.Wilson highlighted the Middle Corridor, the strategic transport route linking Central Asia to Europe, warning that Tbilisi’s policies threaten American interests in the region.“President Donald Trump rightly prioritized the Middle Corridor to diversify our supply chains. Yet the Georgian Dream has handed over this infrastructure to China. U.S. access is now effectively controlled by the Chinese Communist Party,” he said.The congressman added that Georgia has effectively fallen into “debt slavery,” a consequence of the political leverage accompanying Chinese investments.Ties between Washington and Tbilisi have significantly deteriorated since the 2024 elections and the passage of the Foreign Influence Transparency Act. U.S. officials have repeatedly voiced concerns about Georgia’s shifting foreign policy and its deepening strategic partnership with China, including the involvement of a Chinese consortium in the Anaklia deep-sea port project.

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