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The political debates on ongoing economic processes was held by demand of the minority. The majority and minority members introduced their evaluations and analysis on economic situation. According to the Chair of the Sector Economy Committee, Zurab Tkemaladze, there is positive dynamics in terms of economic development which is deflected with tax income mobilization and export growth. As he stated, economic growth trend becomes stabile which is achievement by creation of healthy and competitive business environ. “Policy by the Government was evaluated and reflected in the report on global competitiveness by the world economic forum which is stated in improved rating, namely, Georgia moved ahead with 5 points and now occupies 72nd place. According to the survey amongst 148 countries, Georgia improved the positions in 48 sub-components: property protection, transparency of political course of the Government, better competitive environ on market, anti-monopoly policy, micro-economic improvement, education quality, healthy banks, legal rights etc.”, - he noted. As he stated, the priorities are attraction of foreign investments and encouragement of export of Georgian production, energy and transit potential growth. “It is noteworthy that in the first half of 2013, foreign investments constituted 458 USD million. The biggest part 23.6% covers the energy sector, 17% - financial sector, 15% - processing enterprise, 4$ - transport and 12.6% - communication”, - he noted. According to him, the negative trade balance was improved in January-August in comparison with the last year with 12%, the number of partner states is 126 with whom the positive trade balance is stated with 33 countries. In his speech, he touched upon trade relations with Russia and noted that trade turnover with Russia increased with 35.3% from the last year and constituted 426 million USD. Export of Georgian production to Russia facilitated increase of agricultural production. He noted that thousands of real and movable property were alienated during the preceding Government, the number of facts is 9700. “Now, forceful alienation of property to the state is eliminated. Currently there are not events of this” – he noted. According to Pavle Kublashvili, economy is suspended due to the decisions by the majority and the Government. As he stated, majority and the Minister of Finance started with refusal to reduction of taxes – they abolished the decision, envisaging reduction of revenue tax with 18% and then with 15%. As he stated, it entailed confusion for investors. According to him, the mechanism offered to the society as untaxed minimum was vague. Also the negative impact had the decision on suspension selling the lands to the foreign citizens. According to Zurab Melikishvili, in 1.5 month upon the Presidential the Government will have to initiate tax changes. As he stated, the tax income to the budget is less with 38 million during 9 years. “According to the initial plan, the budget should increase with 5 billion 66 million GEL. According to the altered plan, 4 billion 789 million and in fact it is 4 billion 581 million GEL which means the lack of 458 million according to the initial and 207 million according to the altered plan”, - he noted. the VAT tax is also reduced. The Chair of Agrarian Committee, Gigla Agulashvili spoke about the reforms in agrarian sphere. According to him, 241 million was mobilized in agrarian sector during 1 year, 80 million in December and extra 195 million for fund resources. melioration system rehabilitation financing increased with 6.5 and resources for renewal of agrarian devices with 5.5. He noted that budgetary support to vinery, winemaking, plant protection, food safety increased. He spoke about the project of support to small enterprise farmers for spring works with which 192 000 hectares were cultivated. He noted that the agricultural development fund suppoted more than 710 000 farmers and the total amount exceeded 195 million GEL. He spoke about the lax agricultural credit project. “With September 27, 2013: 1.1 million GEL production installment was allocated to more than 27000 beneficiaries in the first component; 57 million credit to more than 29000 beneficiaries in the second and 29 million credit to 226 beneficiaries in the third”, - he stated. Export of agricultural prosecution in January-July, 2013 increased with 10%: mineral and spring water export increased with 52% and constituted 55 million USD, natural wine export with 47% and constituted 47 million USD. He addressed the opposition MPs to visit together the newly built enterprises. According to David Onoprishvili, “the report of the IMF states that downwards trend of economy started last year due to business under terror. As a rule, father and grandfather grant the property to the family but in Georgia they grant it to state. This tradition by UNM ended”, - he noted. Economic growth as UNM spoke, was only for 20-25% of the population. “We gained the grave heritage full of unfairness and brutality. We gained allegedly high parameters but in fact economy was emptied”, - he stated. According to Mikheil Machavariani, the failure of budget implementation is entailed with incompetence of economic team. David Bakradze offered the economic initiatives, which will improve the social condition. “First of all the taxes must be reduced which means decrease of prices. Thus, we must do it to make people feel it. Secondly, to refuse to new economic regulations. I offer to create joint body with NGOs, experts and evaluate all economic initiatives. The third is economic amnesty and business decriminalization. We could not manage to protect business from law enforcement. So, we must make some steps”, - he stated. The first Vice-Speaker, Manana Kobakhidze evaluated the debates. “During 9 years we listened to the demagogy and during 10 months it is the same. Nothing new is said. I once more was convinced that without October 1, where we could be. The society knows what you did and that now we are on a right path according to our Western partners. No economic catastrophe is happening. We will continue the course we chose on October 1”, - she stated. The only thing people is afraid of is UNM back. “They cannot be back. Their time ended. Construction continues and cohabitation will end on October 27”, - she noted. The political debates lasted for 7 hours with participation of more than 20 MPs. |