Page 6 - GEORptAug20

order to reduce inflationary expectations and return the inflation target to 3% in the first half of 2021.
The central bank said that in June annual inflation eased t​o 6.1% ​and that according to its forecast it would continue to gradually decline over the rest of the year, reaching the 3% target level in the first half of 2021.
Georgia is expecting $1.5bn in financing from International Financial Institutions (IFIs) by the end of 2020, according to Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia. ​This includes the disbursement of a $200mn loan tranche under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) to help the country meet urgent balance of payments and fiscal needs stemming from the effects of COVID-19 pandemic. ​The World Bank is to provide $80mn in financial support to Georgia under its Fast Track COVID-19 Facility​t​o help with efforts by the country’s government to mitigate and address the health and social impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.
2.0​ ​Politics
2.1​ ​Georgian lawmakers empower government to impose
restrictions until year-end
The Georgian parliament has allowed the government to adopt appropriate regulations and take the necessary measures to mitigate the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic until the end of the year.
Technically, the lawmakers prolonged the amendments, initially approved in May and effective until July 15, to the Law on Public Health and the Criminal Procedure Code of Georgia. According to the initiated bill, this term is extended until January 1, 2021.
The executive can thus impose movement, labour, migration, economic and other restrictions without the declaration of a state of emergency hence without the approval of the legislative body.
The bill was passed by 76 votes to two in the 150-MP legislative body.
The opposition parties European Georgia and United National Movement boycotted the vote and said the bill from ruling Georgian Dream contradicts the state constitution and gives the government a lever “for political repressions and violation of human rights” in the run-up to the elections in October.
The government has not used the right since passing the bill as the country continues to maintain a low infection rate.
The ruling party stated that the prolongation of the date was necessary as the country may face a second wave of the coronavirus in the autumn.
The government says that the change will help them act swiftly if there is a need for restrictions “for the welfare and health of our people”.
On March 21 Georgia declared a state of emergency to prevent the spread of the coronavirus until April 21. This was later extended until May 22 after it was observed that the infection curve had still not been flattened.
6​ GEORGIA Country Report ​August 2020 ​ ​www.intellinews.com