Georgia Added to U.S. Visa Bond Program; Shorter Visitor Stays Expected

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.

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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).

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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).

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The bipartisan statement was signed by Senators Roger Wicker, Jeanne Shaheen, Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Joe Wilson and Steve Cohen. According to them, the ruling Georgian Dream party is turning the country into an isolated, authoritarian state.OSCE Report: “Borderline of Torture” and ImpunityThe Helsinki Commission’s statement is based on a report published by the OSCE on March 10, 2026, which details fundamental human rights violations in Georgia since spring 2024.The report’s key findings include: Violence against protesters: The document discusses the systematic nature of violence against protesters, opposition leaders and journalists, which in some cases “reaches the threshold of torture.” Selective justice: According to the report, cases against protesters are being concluded quickly and with harsh sanctions, while investigations into violence by law enforcement officers are being delayed. Pressure on the media: The document highlights the existence of “civilian violent groups” that, in coordination with the police, attack journalists. Criticism of the Public BroadcasterParticular attention is paid to the media environment. According to the OSCE rapporteur, the public television is involved in discrediting campaigns against independent media representatives, which further worsens the opportunities for free expression in the country.Washington's demandsAmerican lawmakers are calling on the US administration, together with its European partners, to force the Georgian government to implement the following recommendations:1. Release all political prisoners2. End politically motivated persecution of opposition politicians3. Abolish all "undemocratic and unjust" laws"We must demand that they stop depriving the Georgian people of their freedom," the Helsinki Commission said in a statement.

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Archbishop Giorgi informed journalists that the funeral ceremony will take place on March 22, and, in line with the Patriarch’s own wishes, his final resting place will be in Sioni.His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II passed away at the age of 93.Following the Patriarch’s death, a national period of mourning has been declared.

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Georgia has declared a state mourning time for Ilia II, who died at the age of 93. The official announcement was made by the Patriarch’s entourage Shio, at the Caucasus Medical Center, where His Holiness was receiving treatment in recent days.Diplomatic Missions’ AssessmentsThe US Embassy paid tribute to the Patriarch’s “great contribution,” which, they said, “will never be forgotten.”The EU Delegation, meanwhile, placed special emphasis on Ilia II’s contribution to preserving national identity.“His Holiness played a special role in preserving national identity and faith and remained a symbol of unity for believers,” the EU mission said in a statement.The Embassy of the Republic of Poland called Ilia II “a symbol of survival in times of trial,” while the Turkish Delegation noted that his death was a great loss, as he had been a pillar of peace and moral values ​​for decades.The Turkish Embassy’s condolence letter states that “His Holiness’s passing is a great loss… He was a pillar of peace, unity and moral values.”The Swedish Embassy notes that “His Holiness’s legacy will remain as an example of faith, love and peace.”The Italian Embassy also expresses its sincere condolences to the Georgian population over the death of the spiritual father of the country.The Austrian Embassy: “We express our deep sorrow and condolences to all Orthodox Christians in Georgia and abroad.”Slovakian Ambassador Matus Busovsky writes that he expresses his sincere condolences to the Georgian Orthodox Church and the Georgian peopleCatholicos-Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II (in lay life Irakli Shiolashvili) was born on January 4, 1933 in Vladikavkaz (then Ordzhonikidze). In 1960 he graduated from the Moscow Theological Academy. His theological path began in 1957, when he was tonsured a monk.Hierarchical career and enthronement: 1963-1972: He was the first rector of the Mtskheta Theological Seminary 1967: He continued his work in the Diocese of Abkhazia 1969: He was granted the rank of Metropolitan December 23, 1977: The Church Council unanimously elected him as Catholicos-Patriarch. His enthronement took place on December 25 in Svetitskhoveli Cathedral The name of Ilia II is associated with the recognition of the autocephaly of the Georgian Orthodox Church by the Ecumenical Patriarchate (in 1990), the large-scale restoration and construction of churches and monasteries, the establishment of theological schools, and the publication of the Bible in modern Georgian. The tradition of universal baptism of infants was established on the initiative of the Patriarch.

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According to the economic activity, the highest monthly earnings were observed in the following sectors: Information and communication – 4 373.2 GEL (increased by 9.1 percent compared to the corresponding period of the previous year) Construction – 3 938.9 GEL (increased by 17.2 percent) Financial and insurance activities – 3 747.7 GEL (increased by 11.1 percent) Mining and quarrying – 3 386.5 GEL (increased by 31.8 percent) In 4Q2025, the average earnings for women equaled 1 952.5 GEL, while for men, they were 2 978.9 GEL. The annual earnings growth amounted to 173.9 GEL (9.8%) for women and 325.1 GEL (12.2%) for men. In almost all sectors, men’s average monthly earnings exceeded those of women.In 4Q2025, the average monthly earnings of employees in the business sector increased by 241.3 GEL (10.2%) and equaled 2 608.4 GEL. According to the economic activity, the highest monthly earnings were observed in Information and communication (4 433.4 GEL, increased by 8.7 percent compared to the corresponding period of the previous year) and Construction (3 943.4 GEL, increased by 17.2 percent).In 4Q2025, compared to the same quarter of the previous year, the average monthly earnings of employees in the non-business and financial sector increased by 254.8 GEL (13.0%) and amounted to 2 210.2 GEL. According to the economic activity, the highest monthly earnings were observed in the Financial and insurance activities.Tbilisi and the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region lead in terms of average monthly earnings.

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The study shows that Georgia’s per-hectare yields for fruits, vegetables and grains are lower than those of neighboring countries and the EU.For example, Georgia’s fruit yield is only 4.8 tons per hectare, which is more than two times lower than Armenia (11.4 tons), Ukraine (11 tons) and the EU (11.7 tons).The difference is even more striking in the case of vegetables - the average yield in Georgia is 11.1 tons, while in Azerbaijan - 31.1 tons, in Armenia - 35.6 tons, and in Turkey - 42.3 tons. As for grain crops, Georgia (2.8 tons) here also lags behind both Azerbaijan and Turkey (3.4 tons), as well as Ukraine (5.1 tons) and the European Union (5.2 tons).The Galt & Taggart review emphasizes that the low yield is due to several fundamental factors, including low corporatization, lack of knowledge and technological backwardness. The share of business in the sector is only 13%, and the production of raw materials is mainly concentrated in households.Land fragmentation is also a problem - 73% of farms in Georgia are less than one hectare, 25% have an area of 1 to 5 hectares, and large farms, the size of which exceeds 5 hectares, make up only 2%. For comparison, in Azerbaijan and Armenia the share of farms smaller than one hectare is relatively lower (60-61%), which creates the basis for more efficient use of land in these countries.

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