Georgia to tighten sanctions against advertising violations

Public advertisements in Georgia’s capital of Tbilisi must always contain Georgian language text, states Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze.

Those who violate the Law of Georgia on Advertising and use only non-Georgian language inscriptions on the facades of their buildings or on billboards will be fined.

Part of Kaladze’s pre-election campaign promised to tackle a range of advertising issues in the country.

Today I have ordered the Supervision Service to give instructions to the owners of certain buildings and give them a reasonable amount of time to make amendments [in advertising inscriptions]”, said Kaladze.

We are not against anyone. Everyone has the right and the opportunity to come to our country, and do business here in compliance with our laws, of course. We must respect the Georgian language. All this is defined by the legislation. If additional regulations are needed, we will definitely appeal to the City Assembly and the Parliament of Georgia to tighten the law”, he added.

Throughout Georgia, inscriptions on signboards shall be made in the official language – this is one of the general requirements for advertising in Georgia and is determined by the Law of Georgia on Advertising.

The Law says that inscriptions may also be made in a foreign language, if desired. An inscription made in a foreign language must not exceed the size of the inscription made in Georgian.