Shopping malls, branded retailers demand permission to operate between Dec 15 - Jan 3
In addition, shopping malls and branded retailers demand to be exempted from the property tax that the government deferred for the sector in July 2020. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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Shopping malls and branded retailers have released a joint statement today, demanding the Georgian government allow them to operate between December 15 to January 3.
City Mall, Tbilisi Mall, East Point, Tbilisi Central, Gldani Mall, Karvasla, Retail Group Georgia, ICR Holding, LC Waikiki GE, Dressup Group and Gtex jointly state that they are ready to increase the Covid-safety measures and regulate the flow of customers.
The restrictions imposed by the government on the operation of commercial facilities from November 28 to December 24 and then from January 3 to February 1 put at risk the existence of at least 25,000 jobs in the country and hundreds of small and medium-sized businesses. The Georgian economy and retail sector will suffer losses of about 1 billion GEL during this period, which will put tens of thousands of families in dire conditions.
The state budget will not receive hundreds of millions in revenue in the form of various taxes and will significantly shake the confidence of international investors who have invested more than $500 million in this field", reads the statement.
In addition, shopping malls and branded retailers demand to be exempted from the property tax that the government deferred for the sector in July 2020.
The statement reads that all resources are already 'wasted in full, in advance and in excess'.
Businesses will not be able to retain employees under operating restrictions. Virtually all shopping malls and retail outlets face the problem of servicing current bank liabilities and the need for further restructuring of loans is on the agenda", reads the statement.
Shopping malls and branded retailers say that they ensure one of the safest environments and none of the shopping malls have become the source of the spread of the infection so far.
State-owned enterprises have lost about 130 million GEL in revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic reads the Fiscal Risk Analysis Document which accompanies the final version of the 2021 draft budget.
The government of Georgia has imposed further restrictions to curb the spread of the coronavirus in the country today, however to ease the burdens for businesses and the public the government has also announced supportive measures.
The government of Georgia has imposed further restrictions to curb the spread of the coronavirus in the country. The restrictions that will be in effect between November 28 and January 31 are as follows: An effective curfew will be in force between the hours of 21:00 and 05:00. The restriction will be temporarily lifted on December 31 and January 6 (for New Year and Christmas). Restaurants and other food facilities will fully move to takeaway services which includes takeaway, delivery and drive.
USAID and Enterprise Georgia have launched a two-year partnership to facilitate Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Georgia, help the country's private sector recover from the Covid-19 pandemic and build a more innovative economy that creates higher-value jobs for Georgian workers.
The National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation of Georgia has temporarily closed museums and natural reserves to visitors due to the pandemic in the country.