Day: April 30, 2024

According to the National Statistic Office of Georgia, in the first quarter of 2024, Turkey emerged as the leading source of visitors to Georgia, amounting to 19.5% of the total number with 254.6 thousand visitors. The Russian Federation was on the second place with 19.2% share, followed by Armenia at third place with a 14.5% share.

Source: Geostat

In the reporting period, the number of international non-resident traveler arrivals in Georgia reached 1.3 million, marking a 7.6% increase from the corresponding period in the previous year. Most of the entries into Georgia were made by travelers of 31-50 age group (48.3%). Majority of them (64.1%) were male.

The National Statistics Office says the purpose of the majority of visits (44.8%) was holiday, leisure and recreation in the first quarter of 2024.

Also Read:

• 30/01/2024 – Russians Dominate as Largest Group of International Visitors to Georgia in 2023
• 14/11/2023 – Russians Dominate as Largest International Visitors to Georgia in Third Quarter
• 23/10/2023 – Number of International Travelers up 43% in January-September, 2023

On April 29 and 30, Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili is on a visit to Brussels to participate in European Council events dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the 2004 EU enlargement. He met with EU representatives and ministerial colleagues, including European Commission Vice President Věra Jourová and Acting Head of Cabinet of European Commission President Fernando Andresen Guimaraes.

Meeting with European Commission Vice-President

On April 29, FM Darchiashvili met with the Vice-President of the European Commission, Commissioner for Values and Transparency, Věra Jourová.

According to the official press release of the MFA, Darchiashvili spoke about the country’s “ongoing reforms aimed at aligning Georgia with EU standards,” including the nine steps set by the European Commission.

The parties also discussed the controversial Foreign Agents bill. “The Minister presented Georgia’s arguments, while the Vice President highlighted the pressing challenges prompting discussions about enacting similar mechanisms within the European Union,” the press-release reads.

The parties also discussed the security situation in the region and humanitarian conditions in the occupied Georgian territories.

“Had a very good meeting with Věra Jourová, where we discussed Georgia’s progress on the EU accession path, achieved through our government’s efforts, including the implementation of a number of essential reforms. We agreed to continue close cooperation,” FM Darchiashvili tweeted after the meeting.

Meeting with the Acting Head of Cabinet of the President of the European Commission

On April 29, FM Darchiashvili also met with the Acting Head of Cabinet of the President of the European Commission, Fernando Andresen Guimaraes.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the support of the President of the European Commission to Georgia’s European integration, emphasizing the involvement of various structures of the European Commission in reform initiatives.

According to the Foreign Ministry’s press release, FM Darchiashvili said that “EU integration remains the central goal of Georgia’s foreign policy,” adding that “the government reiterated its readiness to make significant progress and advance to the next phase of cooperation with the European Union.”

More to follow…

Georgia’s estimated real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate amounted to 8.2% for March 2024 compared to the corresponding period of the previous year, according to the rapid estimates released by the National Statistics Office of Georgia on April 30.

According to Geostat, the following activities contributed significantly to growth: manufacturing, construction, information and communication, professional scientific and technical activities, and real estate activities.

Declines were registered in construction, energy, transportation and storage.

Source: Geostat

According to Geostat, the average real GDP growth for January-March 2024 equaled 7.8%.

Also Read:

• 29/03/2024 – Georgia’s GDP Up by 9.5% in February 2024
• 20/03/2024 – Georgia’s GDP Up by 7.5% in 2023
• 29/02/2024 – Georgia’s GDP Up by 5.8% in January 2024
• 31/01/2024 – Georgia’s GDP Up by 8.3% in December 2023