The News in Brief
Friday, September 17
President pardons three juvenile convicts
The President of Georgia has pardoned three juvenile convicts, who have passed the Unified Entrance Exams successfully. Mikheil Saakashvili approved the motion of the Ministry of Education and signed the pardon decree today.
Minister of Corrections and Legal Assistance, Khatuna Kalmakhelidze announced the President`s pardon at the briefing today. One of the pardoned juveniles, who is 18 years-old now, was a minor when he passed the exams, so the pardon decree applied to his case too. The Minister congratulated all three students on their release and wished them success.
The three pardoned juveniles left the prison facilities today. Merab Mindeli was released from Ksani facility, Darbaidze and Dumbadze - from Avchala facility. The pardoned juveniles will be attending classes from today. (Rustavi 2)
Bilingual textbooks printed for non-Georgian schools
The Ministry of Education has printed bilingual textbooks for the pupils of non-Georgian schools. 35% of the material in these textbooks is in Georgian.
Books on history and geography for 7th, 8th, 10th, 11th and 12th forms have been printed in Armenian, Azeri and Russian languages. The books will be free for pupils. Bilingual teaching will help non-Georgian school children to improve their knowledge of Georgian.
Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, Dimitri Shashkini, arrived in the Marneuli Public School #3 and handed over the books to the pupils.
By the end of the 2010-2011 academic year, the Education Ministry will have distributed 35,874 bilingual books on history and geography to non-Georgian speaking pupils. 4th graders of non-Georgian schools and sectors will be provided with the textbooks Georgian – Second Language for free. (Rustavi 2)
NBG Increases Its Main Policy Rate By 7 Percent
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the National Bank of Georgia has taken a decision to increase its Main Policy Rate (the refinancing rate) by 50 basis points to 7 percent.
The refinancing rate was fixed at 7 %. Annual inflation reached 9.5 percent in August. The increase in inflation was largely caused by a rise in the prices of agricultural products. Core inflation rose in August as well.
Since the Committee’s last meeting, current-year economic estimates indicate higher growth for the economy - six (6) percent. The expedited pace of growth of the economy is mainly a result of fiscal stimulus, which was supported by increased lending of the commercial banks. Lending to individuals has expanded notably, which represents a significant source for the formation of aggregate demand. The avid growth in consumer loans granted to individuals, increases inflation pressures through increased demand.
Prices at Global commodity markets have increased recently. Over the last month, the international price of wheat increased by 4.3%, and the price of sugar rose by 13.5%. Inflation also picked up in August in all of Georgia’s neighboring countries.
High inflation is caused by exogenous factors, for which monetary policy has limited influence. Although dynamics of core inflation indicates an increase of inflation expectations, therefore tightening of monetary policy is needed.
The NBG will closely monitor developments in the economy and financial markets and will in due course act accordingly. (Prime-News)
Water Supply System And Roads Rehabilitation To Be Completed In January
Water supply system and roads rehabilitation works, carried out in Tianeti settlement will be completed in January 2011.
The minister of Regional Development and Infraustructure Ramaz Nikolaishvili together with the head of minicipal development fund Levan Chichinadze viewed water supply system and roads rehabilitation works on September 16.
Project’s cost is GEL 2 million 31.000 and is financed by the World Bank and Georgian government.
The project launched in May 2010 and will be over in January 2011. (Prime-News)
Illness-stricken 18-year-old handball player retires to fight for his life
An 18-year-old Georgian handball player has retired due to a serious disease, from which he is suffering. The sportsman requires several months of intensive therapy that costs more than his family cannot afford.
Otar Rusiashvili has been discharged from hospital, although the surgery and the four courses of chemical therapy he underwent were not enough for his treatment. Now he needs a course of medical treatment at Freiburg Oncology Hospital as this is the only way his life can be saved.
The surgical operation costs EUR 10 thousand, although Otar`s family are unable to raise the funds for the operation.
Medical tests showed the boy was suffering from sarcoma four months ago. Now he cannot attend university classes as feels very weak indeed.
A bank account has opened on behalf of Otar Rusiashvili.
Number of the bank account: GE25TP0036010000009446 (Rustavi 2)
The President of Georgia has pardoned three juvenile convicts, who have passed the Unified Entrance Exams successfully. Mikheil Saakashvili approved the motion of the Ministry of Education and signed the pardon decree today.
Minister of Corrections and Legal Assistance, Khatuna Kalmakhelidze announced the President`s pardon at the briefing today. One of the pardoned juveniles, who is 18 years-old now, was a minor when he passed the exams, so the pardon decree applied to his case too. The Minister congratulated all three students on their release and wished them success.
The three pardoned juveniles left the prison facilities today. Merab Mindeli was released from Ksani facility, Darbaidze and Dumbadze - from Avchala facility. The pardoned juveniles will be attending classes from today. (Rustavi 2)
Bilingual textbooks printed for non-Georgian schools
The Ministry of Education has printed bilingual textbooks for the pupils of non-Georgian schools. 35% of the material in these textbooks is in Georgian.
Books on history and geography for 7th, 8th, 10th, 11th and 12th forms have been printed in Armenian, Azeri and Russian languages. The books will be free for pupils. Bilingual teaching will help non-Georgian school children to improve their knowledge of Georgian.
Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, Dimitri Shashkini, arrived in the Marneuli Public School #3 and handed over the books to the pupils.
By the end of the 2010-2011 academic year, the Education Ministry will have distributed 35,874 bilingual books on history and geography to non-Georgian speaking pupils. 4th graders of non-Georgian schools and sectors will be provided with the textbooks Georgian – Second Language for free. (Rustavi 2)
NBG Increases Its Main Policy Rate By 7 Percent
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the National Bank of Georgia has taken a decision to increase its Main Policy Rate (the refinancing rate) by 50 basis points to 7 percent.
The refinancing rate was fixed at 7 %. Annual inflation reached 9.5 percent in August. The increase in inflation was largely caused by a rise in the prices of agricultural products. Core inflation rose in August as well.
Since the Committee’s last meeting, current-year economic estimates indicate higher growth for the economy - six (6) percent. The expedited pace of growth of the economy is mainly a result of fiscal stimulus, which was supported by increased lending of the commercial banks. Lending to individuals has expanded notably, which represents a significant source for the formation of aggregate demand. The avid growth in consumer loans granted to individuals, increases inflation pressures through increased demand.
Prices at Global commodity markets have increased recently. Over the last month, the international price of wheat increased by 4.3%, and the price of sugar rose by 13.5%. Inflation also picked up in August in all of Georgia’s neighboring countries.
High inflation is caused by exogenous factors, for which monetary policy has limited influence. Although dynamics of core inflation indicates an increase of inflation expectations, therefore tightening of monetary policy is needed.
The NBG will closely monitor developments in the economy and financial markets and will in due course act accordingly. (Prime-News)
Water Supply System And Roads Rehabilitation To Be Completed In January
Water supply system and roads rehabilitation works, carried out in Tianeti settlement will be completed in January 2011.
The minister of Regional Development and Infraustructure Ramaz Nikolaishvili together with the head of minicipal development fund Levan Chichinadze viewed water supply system and roads rehabilitation works on September 16.
Project’s cost is GEL 2 million 31.000 and is financed by the World Bank and Georgian government.
The project launched in May 2010 and will be over in January 2011. (Prime-News)
Illness-stricken 18-year-old handball player retires to fight for his life
An 18-year-old Georgian handball player has retired due to a serious disease, from which he is suffering. The sportsman requires several months of intensive therapy that costs more than his family cannot afford.
Otar Rusiashvili has been discharged from hospital, although the surgery and the four courses of chemical therapy he underwent were not enough for his treatment. Now he needs a course of medical treatment at Freiburg Oncology Hospital as this is the only way his life can be saved.
The surgical operation costs EUR 10 thousand, although Otar`s family are unable to raise the funds for the operation.
Medical tests showed the boy was suffering from sarcoma four months ago. Now he cannot attend university classes as feels very weak indeed.
A bank account has opened on behalf of Otar Rusiashvili.
Number of the bank account: GE25TP0036010000009446 (Rustavi 2)