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The News in Brief

Monday, September 7
Government to present draft budget to the Parliament by late September

Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili held a working meeting with the economic team of the government.

According to the governmental administration, Finance Minister Nodar Khaduri introduced main parameters of the 2016 budget to the head of the government.

The government of Georgia will present a draft budget to the Parliament by the end of this month.
(IPN)



Electricity price hike in Georgia

Electricity prices have gone up in the Georgian capital. Utility company Telasi explains the decision with a drop in the national currency lari, as well as increased prices for purchasing electricity and increased transmission taxes.

There are three categories of electricity payment in Tbilisi. The first category is those who use less than 101 kWh. Their bill will increase by 3.5 tetris including VAT to 12.90 tetris per kWh (USD 0.0546).

The second category is people who use from 101 to 301 kW/h. Their bill goes up 4.51 tetris including VAT to 17 tetris per kWh (USD 0.072).

The third category is people who spend more than 301 kW/h, who are billed 3.79 tetris more than before and have to pay 21 tetris per kWh (USD 0.0889).

The new prices will come into force as soon as they are published and the September bill will be split in two, the first part according to the old prices.

In July, electricity prices increased for customers of Energo-Pro Georgia, which supplies every region except Kakheti and Tbilisi, by 3.348 tetris, excluding VAT.
(df watch)



New Vice Mayor of Tbilisi Confirmed

Tbilisi City Council (Sakrebulo), where the ruling GD coalition holds majority, confirmed on September 5 Lasha Abashidze as vice mayor of the capital city.

Before this promotion, Abashidze served as head of Tbilisi’s Vake district since March, 2015.

He was chief of President Giorgi Margvelashvili’s administration beforestepping down in June, 2014.
(Civil.ge)



Georgia-Argentina visa-free travel agreement comes into force

Travelling to Argentina has become easier for Georgian citizens.

People wanting to travel to Argentina are now allowed to visit this country visa-free for a short stay (maximum 90 days) as the corresponding agreement between the two countries has come into force today.

Reciprocally, citizens of Argentina are able to enjoy the same travel arrangement while visiting Georgia.

This agreement was signed on June 26 and came into power on September 6.

Currently citizens from 94 countries can enter Georgia and stay for a maximum of 360 days without visas.
(Agenda.ge)



Imedi TV will not give up political talk shows

Imedi TV is not going to give up its political talk shows and hopes programs will be resumed in October-November.

The above-mentioned announcement was released by the TV channel’s leadership in the Kronika program.

"We have decided to provide additional explanations about questions currently existing in the society. Imedi TV is not going to give up political talk shows. In fact, active negotiations are underway with possible anchors of the programs and we hope that we will air the program by October or November.

We are also deeply concerned about the fact that current editorial changes on our channel were politicized by certain persons,” their statement said.
(PN)