New government might reconsider agreements with Inter Rao and Socar

Economic Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili has suggested that the new government might reconsider existing state contracts with the Russian electrical distribution company Inter Rao and Azeri state oil company Socar. Kvirikashvili has commented that these contracts might not be in the best interest of Georgian consumers. In Georgia utility bills are very high and significantly impact the financial situation of the average consumer. The minister added that any renegotiated contracts will not influence the investment environment in Georgia. Some analysts suggest that the former Georgian government artificially increased the cost of utilities so as to profit from them.