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Official figures on economic growth challenged

By Messenger Staff
Tuesday, April 20
Official statistics state that from the beginning of 2010 the activities of enterprises have increased, after the downfall of 2009. Exports in January were GEL 106 million and in February 109 million. Accordingly budgetary revenues have also increased.

All this has given PM Nika Gulauri grounds to suggest that economic growth has begun in the country. Independent analysts however are sceptical about the official statistics, suggesting that they do not objectively reflect the reality in the country. Emzar Jgerenaia suggests that the increase in VAT revenues is due to the fact that many importing companies have only now registered as VAT payers and the increase in registered companies simply reflects the technical registration of these existing companies. Therefore no new enterprises have started functioning in the country.