Page 31 - GEORptFeb21

Iran’s foreign minister raises opportunities for regional cooperation on Georgia visit
By signing the memorandum, Georgia has joined the US Clean Network programme “safeguarding the nation’s assets including citizens’ privacy and companies’ most sensitive information from aggressive intrusions by malign actors”.
Zalkaliani said this “will ensure the well-functioning and sustainable ecosystem of the next-generation networks in Georgia and the development of digital services and the digital economy, in general, in line with international standards”.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif arrived in Tbilisi on January 28 on the fourth leg of a regional tour, following stops in Baku, Moscow and Yerevan. ​Speaking to reporters upon his arrival in Georgia, the top Iranian diplomat said he held talks on bilateral relations and regional post-war cooperation on Nagorno-Karabakh during his meetings in Azerbaijan, Russia and Armenia.
“Our region has undergone very tough conditions. Now we need to get past these difficult conditions and use the new circumstances for cooperation in our region to make sure that war and clashes do not break out again,” Zarif said during a press conference with Georgian officials.
Zarif later met with Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili. He lobbied for Georgia to develop closer economic links with Iran.
“We have age-old bilateral ties with Georgia. There are numerous grounds for cooperation with Georgia, particularly in the transit sector,” he said.
“We are well aware of the sensitivities of our friends in Georgia to a number of the region’s countries,” he said, adding that there is a “regional framework for cooperation and a reduction of tensions”.
“Considering the new international conditions, I hope we can remove the obstacles to mutual cooperation with Georgia and move towards closer cooperation,” he added.
Zarif said his talks with Azerbaijani and Armenian officials included discussions on the South-West Corridor, a trade route that leads to Georgia’s Black Sea coast via Azerbaijan and Armenia.
“This corridor is useful for Iran, Georgia and other countries along the route,” Zarif noted.
6.0​ Public Sector 6.1​ Budget
Georgia’s budget overview
According to the 2021 budget planning, budgetary revenues this year are set at GEL16.76bn ($5.1bn), up by GEL2.2bn compared to 2020. ​The state budget estimates tax revenues at GEL10.34bn. The document calculates revenues from foreign grants at GEL287mn; other revenues are expected at GEL550mn. GEL5.28bn is set to be allocated through external debt. Revenues from privatisation are set at GEL150mn.
The government drew up the budget planning with the assumption of 4.3% economic growth in 2021. It projects 5.5% in average economic growth in 2022-2024.
31​ GEORGIA Country Report​ February 2021 ​ ​www.intellinews.com