Page 59 - GEORptAug21

can’t stop—like a man who loves fishing and hunting.”
The reality of the coronavirus has boosted interest in rural and suburban living around the globe. People pursue larger homes suitable for remote working in cheaper, less crowded locations. There, they feel less at risk of infection. Charkviani finds a suitable property, tracks down the owners and, if they are willing to sell, posts their contact details online along with a video of the property, the news agency report added, citing him as also saying: “After the pandemic, many people from the city realised they need a village house as shelter, a place where you are always welcome to escape to in case of necessity.
“Before I used to get 150 to 200 messages a day; now I get about 500.” Charkviani said the houses he has discovered have sold for 2,000 Georgian lari ($654) to $17,000.
9.1.8 Healthcare sector news
EBRD extends €25mn loan to private operator Georgian Healthcare Group amid pandemic
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has agreed to provide a $25mn loan to LSE-listed Georgian Healthcare Group (GHG), Georgia's largest, integrated healthcare services, pharmacy and medical insurance provider.
The financing was approved as part of the development bank's response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the EBRD said.
The loan is to finance GHG's short-term working capital and spending deemed critical amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to an official statement from the EBRD, GHG has an important state-aligned role in the fight against the health emergency. The company has adapted six large hospitals to meet needs of virus-infected patients in line with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.
The financing will support the implementation of COVID-19 testing at the country’s most advanced medical laboratory, at Megalab. It is also funded by the EBRD.
9.1.9 Agriculture sector news
Georgia exports 19 tonnes of peaches and nectarines for $17mn in May-July
Georgian wine exports to UK grow 60% y/y
Georgia exported 19 tonnes of peaches and nectarines worth $17mn from May 1 to July 25. The tonnage was 6.3 tonnes higher than was recorded for the same period of last year, the Ministry of Agriculture of Georgia said. The ministry added that the value of the export increased by $5.9mn y/y.
The peaches and nectarines were mainly exported to Russia (11,935 tonnes) and Armenia (5,872 tonnes).
Georgian wine exports to the UK have grown by 60% y/y in volume in 2021, statistics show.
Bottles exported to the UK increased from 177,149 by the end of June 2020 to 283,830 by the end of June 2021, according to new data released by The National Wine Agency of Georgia.
With the UK a "new but rapidly growing” market for Georgian wine, the Agency invested in a generic UK marketing program, led by Sarah Abbott MW’s Swirl Wine Group since 2017.
The 2021 campaign includes virtual tastings held throughout the year, a trade tasting, a media and sampling office, a virtual press trip, the Indie Alliance Fund, and content marketing on GeorgianWine.UK and social media channels. In addition, two new online resources have gone live this week aimed at
59 GEORGIA Country Report August 2021 www.intellinews.com