Economy Ministry explains distribution, use of “unaccounted” vehicles after media claims

Georgia’s Ministry of Economy on Thursday released a statement explaining distribution and use of 17 vehicles listed on the state balance sheet, after media reports claimed the fleet was formally unaccounted for.

The body said two of the vehicles were not included in the body’s balance, while “detailed information” had been provided by the National State Property Agency to the State Audit Service on the rest of the fleet.

Six of the vehicles have been transferred to state agencies “for various needs” and six sold at electronic auctions “in various years”, it said. The remaining three vehicles are located in different parking lots, including one at the central office of the National State Property Agency, the body added.

The Ministry also said 13 of the vehicles had agricultural designation, adding it had applied to the Ministry of Internal Affairs in 2023 and found while they had been registered in the Economy Ministry's name based on a 2007 order of the Ministry of Finance and an application of an individual the same name, they had not been handed over to the Ministry.

The Ministry alleged the "inaccurate" reports were “aimed at misleading the public”.