In the first quarter of 2019, Georgian economic climate slightly improved. In this period, Georgian economists assessed Georgia’s present economic situation positively. The assessment of present economic situation in this quarter has deteriorated compared with the first quarter of 2018; However, it has improved compared to the fourth quarter of 2018. 

Increasing the employment rate represents one of the most significant challenges and priorities of the Georgian economy. This bulletin appraises trends related to employment for the period of 2014-2017.  

In December 2018, compared to November 2018, in Tbilisi, the hotel price index increased by 11.9%. The growth rate of guesthouse prices (21%) significantly exceeded the growth rate of 3*, 4* and 5* hotel prices (9.3%). Notably, the given dynamics differs from the dynamics of the previous year, when the overall price level of hotels in Tbilisi increased by 12.5%, the 3*, 4* and 5* hotel prices rose by 15.1%, while guesthouse prices grew only by 3.6%. In December 2018, compared to December 2017, the hotel price index increased by 1% in Georgia. The daily rates for standard double hotel rooms increased the most in Adjara (21.1%) and Samtskhe-Javakheti (14.8%). Whereas in Tbilisi, the overall price level of hotels decreased by 9.8%. This is mainly due to the price decreases in 3*, 4* and 5* hotels in Tbilisi. While the prices of 3*, 4* and 5* hotels decreased by 14.7% in Tbilisi, the prices of guesthouses increased by 9%. It is of note that during the previous year, the number of 3*, 4* and 5* hotels registered on booking.com in Tbilisi grew by 46%, while the pool of registered guesthouses expanded by 19.1%.

• In November 2018, compared to November 2017, in Georgia the hotel price index decreased by 0.1%;• In November 2018, compared to November 2017, the daily rates for standard double hotel rooms decreased the most in Guria(-14.7%) and Kakheti (-13.6%);• In November 2018, compared to November 2017, the hotel prices in Tbilisi decreased by 8.9%;• In November 2018, the average cost of a room in each category was as follows: 3-star hotel room - 120 GEL per night; 4-star hotelroom - 221 GEL; 5-star hotel room - 489 GEL; guesthouse room- 63 GEL;• In November 2018, compared to October 2018, the hotel price index decreased by 11.2%.

Georgia was ranked 66th among 140 countries in the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Index1 in 2018. During 2010-2018 Georgia’s position in the ranking was improving, except one year. In 2018, compared to 2017, Georgia’s position in the ranking improved by 1 place. Among the so-called pillars measured to calculate the Global Competitiveness Index in 2018, Georgia scored best in terms of its labor market (31st place) while it was least competitive in terms of market size (102th place). Among the Central Asia and South Caucasus countries2 in 2018, Kazakhstan was the top performer in this Global Competetiveness Index (59th place), while Tajikistan held the lowest position in the index (102nd place).

In October 2018, compared to October 2017, in Georgia the hotel price index increased by 7.2%; In October 2018, compared to October 2017, the daily rates for standard double hotel rooms increased the most in Adjara (22.7%) and Samtskhe-Javakheti (17.9%); In October 2018, compared to 2017, the hotel prices in Tbilisi increased by 1.3%;

In the fourth quarter of 2018, Georgian economic climate barely remained satisfactory. In this period, Georgian economistsassessed Georgia’s present economic situation satisfactorily. However, assessment of present economic situation in this quarter deteriorated compared to the third quarter of 2018, and the fourth quarter of 2017.

During October 2017 – September 2018 period, in Tbilisi the highest average prices of a room in a 3* and 4* hotels were recorded in December 2017, respectively 165 GEL and 293 GEL, the lowest prices were recorded in February 2018, respectively 124 GEL and 214 GEL. In September 2018, the hotel price index decreased by 5.9% compared to August 2018; In September 2018, the average cost of a room in each category was as follows: 3-star hotel room - 135 GEL per night; 4-star hotel room - 244 GEL; 5-star hotel room - 521 GEL; guesthouse room- 70 GEL.

  Giorgi Khishtovani, Director at PMC research, and Sopo Basilidze, Junior Researcher at PMC Research analyzing government initiatives to decrease indebtedness and their possible implications.

Analysis of the preliminary data on FDI for the first half of 2018 revealed the following general findings: The financial, energy, and construction sectors attracted the most FDI; Azerbaijan, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands were the largest investing countries for Georgia; Based on the cumulative values of the past 4.5 years, transports and communications is the most attractive sector for FDI in Georgia; The shares of FDI from China and the EU in the total FDI in Georgia were their highest since 2014; Based on a semi-annual analysis, reinvestments surpassed equity for the first time in th e available data of 2013-2018.