The News in Brief
Monday, May 14
Patriarch to attend Georgian cultural event in France
A delegation from the Patriarchate of Georgia, headed by the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II, will leave for France on May 15.
The delegation will attend a Georgian cultural event, according to the Sunday sermon at the Trinity Cathedral.
The event will promote the popularization of Georgian culture abroad. Delegations from other Orthodox countries will also attend.
(IPN)
Government sees Georgia as future energy centre
Georgia can become an energy centre, Alexandre Khetaguri, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, said at a recent OSCE economic forum in Batumi.
Georgia has recently played an important role in energy export, he explained. "We had a great breakthrough in June 2011 with regard to electricity export. We managed to export our energy to several countries – Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Turkey. Exports will further increase in the future to the EU. We can become an energy centre. We’ll do everything for this".
Khetaguri added that Georgia has now four independent electricity sources and 15 new hydro-power plants are currently under construction with $4 billion USD worth of investment.
In addition, the Minister maintained, Georgia is ready to play an important role as an energy transit country. "We want to cooperate with all countries in this regard," he said.
(IPN)
Mercury Business Awards honor top Georgian firms
Eighteen Georgian companies and business persons have been honored with the Mercury prize, the national business award of Georgia.
A special jury chose winners in 16 categories, while two more winners - Entrepreneur of the Year and Most Desired Employer - were revealed via online polls.
In contrast to the previous year, four new nominations were added to the competition.
Pheri Ltd. received the top award. The winner is traditionally awarded by the President of Georgia. In his speech, Mikheil Saakashvili spoke about the success of Georgian business.
The Mercury National Business Award ceremony has been conducted by the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Developemnt and the National Investment Agency of Georgia for the past two years.
Approximately 400 companies and businesspersons were registered on the official website of the award.
(Rustavi 2)
Prime Minister attends energy conference in Norway
Prime Minister Nika Gilauri attended an energy-conference in Norway this weekend.
In his speech, Gilauri spoke about the investment environment in Georgia, highlighting measures taken by the government against corruption and in support of private investors.
After the conference, the Prime Minister was familiarized with alternative energy technologies from Norwegian company Akershus Energy.
Within the official visit to the country, Georgian Prime Minister will also meet with the Minister of Energy of Norway.
(Rustavi 2)
Health Care Minister visited Kakheti Region
Minister of Health and Social Care of Georgia Zurab Tchiaberashvili introduced the details of the new social assistance program to one of the families in Lagodekhi town, Kakheti Region, today. The waiting period for getting the social assistance was reduced from six to two months - minister explained the changes in the procedures to locals.
Zurab Tchiaberashvili also visited a multi-profile medical centre in Lagodekhi town, which has been constructed by the Archimedes Global Georgia Insurance Company. The company has invested four million GEL in the project.
(Rustavi 2)
Saakashvili congratulates on St. Andrew day to locals in Khulo
President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili visited the Annunciation Church in the town of Khulo of Adjara Region in Western Georgia on the day of Saint Andrew the First-Called today.
Mikheil Saakashvili congratulated locals on the celebration and attended the holy mass offered by Archbishop Spiridon.
The president said construction of churches is intensively going on in Adjara Region, adding that the construction of the larges church named after Andrew the First-called, Simon Cananean and St. Matata in Adjara`s highland part will be completed soon.
The archbishop thanked the president saying that by assistance of him and the patriarch of Georgia construction of the university started in Shuakhevi that would significantly assist to raising the education level among the local youth.
(Rustavi 2)
Three Georgians arrested for robbery in Athens
Three Georgians have been arrested by the police in Athens with the charges of robbery. According to local media, three robbers intruded in the house of a famous Greek actor Alexandros Parthenis and his girlfriend, gold medalist runner Catherine Tanus from the basement, but the signalization worked in time and the police detained the robbers in the house.
According to the police, the gang of three Georgians was wanted during past few months, as they were suspected of committing 91 robberies during past months in Athens. The identities of the suspects have not been reported so far.
(Rustavi 2)
A delegation from the Patriarchate of Georgia, headed by the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II, will leave for France on May 15.
The delegation will attend a Georgian cultural event, according to the Sunday sermon at the Trinity Cathedral.
The event will promote the popularization of Georgian culture abroad. Delegations from other Orthodox countries will also attend.
(IPN)
Government sees Georgia as future energy centre
Georgia can become an energy centre, Alexandre Khetaguri, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, said at a recent OSCE economic forum in Batumi.
Georgia has recently played an important role in energy export, he explained. "We had a great breakthrough in June 2011 with regard to electricity export. We managed to export our energy to several countries – Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Turkey. Exports will further increase in the future to the EU. We can become an energy centre. We’ll do everything for this".
Khetaguri added that Georgia has now four independent electricity sources and 15 new hydro-power plants are currently under construction with $4 billion USD worth of investment.
In addition, the Minister maintained, Georgia is ready to play an important role as an energy transit country. "We want to cooperate with all countries in this regard," he said.
(IPN)
Mercury Business Awards honor top Georgian firms
Eighteen Georgian companies and business persons have been honored with the Mercury prize, the national business award of Georgia.
A special jury chose winners in 16 categories, while two more winners - Entrepreneur of the Year and Most Desired Employer - were revealed via online polls.
In contrast to the previous year, four new nominations were added to the competition.
Pheri Ltd. received the top award. The winner is traditionally awarded by the President of Georgia. In his speech, Mikheil Saakashvili spoke about the success of Georgian business.
The Mercury National Business Award ceremony has been conducted by the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Developemnt and the National Investment Agency of Georgia for the past two years.
Approximately 400 companies and businesspersons were registered on the official website of the award.
(Rustavi 2)
Prime Minister attends energy conference in Norway
Prime Minister Nika Gilauri attended an energy-conference in Norway this weekend.
In his speech, Gilauri spoke about the investment environment in Georgia, highlighting measures taken by the government against corruption and in support of private investors.
After the conference, the Prime Minister was familiarized with alternative energy technologies from Norwegian company Akershus Energy.
Within the official visit to the country, Georgian Prime Minister will also meet with the Minister of Energy of Norway.
(Rustavi 2)
Health Care Minister visited Kakheti Region
Minister of Health and Social Care of Georgia Zurab Tchiaberashvili introduced the details of the new social assistance program to one of the families in Lagodekhi town, Kakheti Region, today. The waiting period for getting the social assistance was reduced from six to two months - minister explained the changes in the procedures to locals.
Zurab Tchiaberashvili also visited a multi-profile medical centre in Lagodekhi town, which has been constructed by the Archimedes Global Georgia Insurance Company. The company has invested four million GEL in the project.
(Rustavi 2)
Saakashvili congratulates on St. Andrew day to locals in Khulo
President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili visited the Annunciation Church in the town of Khulo of Adjara Region in Western Georgia on the day of Saint Andrew the First-Called today.
Mikheil Saakashvili congratulated locals on the celebration and attended the holy mass offered by Archbishop Spiridon.
The president said construction of churches is intensively going on in Adjara Region, adding that the construction of the larges church named after Andrew the First-called, Simon Cananean and St. Matata in Adjara`s highland part will be completed soon.
The archbishop thanked the president saying that by assistance of him and the patriarch of Georgia construction of the university started in Shuakhevi that would significantly assist to raising the education level among the local youth.
(Rustavi 2)
Three Georgians arrested for robbery in Athens
Three Georgians have been arrested by the police in Athens with the charges of robbery. According to local media, three robbers intruded in the house of a famous Greek actor Alexandros Parthenis and his girlfriend, gold medalist runner Catherine Tanus from the basement, but the signalization worked in time and the police detained the robbers in the house.
According to the police, the gang of three Georgians was wanted during past few months, as they were suspected of committing 91 robberies during past months in Athens. The identities of the suspects have not been reported so far.
(Rustavi 2)